Paula Abdul: 'I've Never Been Addicted to Drugs'

April 22, 2009— -- "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul says that her biggest mistake was agreeing to star in a reality show that helped fuel false rumors of alcohol and prescription drug abuse.

"I've never been addicted to any prescription drugs. I've never been drunk. I've worked my whole life," Abdul told "Nightline" in an exclusive interview. Despite undergoing 15 surgeries since a neck injury in 1992, Abdul said she has never taken addictive painkillers.

"I will not take those drugs," Abdul said. "And you can check my medical records. There is nothing like that. I was never on Oxycontin or Vicodin or anything like that. I was on nerve medicine and anti-inflammatories."

Last week ABC News followed up on Abdul's offer to "check her medical records," asking for her permission to speak to one of her doctors. She declined.

Despite years of success in the music industry, Abdul has battled scandal, controversy and personal embarrassment during her eight seasons on "American Idol."

Four years ago, former "Idol" contestant Cory Clark emerged with a shocking allegation. He claimed that he and Paula had had an affair, a charge she denied and the show dismissed after an investigation. But it was the start of a difficult time for her. A few months later, rumors of Abdul drinking on "Idol" surfaced.

Abdul says she foolishly repeated a nonsense statement on the air that Cowell whispered to her. She claims afterward Cowell suggested to the press that she had been drinking.

"He goes, 'Now you know what's in her Coca Cola cup. It's not Coca Cola,'" she claims. "All of a sudden unbeknownst to me I am now part of a funny joke that's gone so far."

But rumors of drinking or prescription drug abuse persisted when a year and her half later Abdul's reality show, "Hey Paula," hit the airwaves. Abdul's behavior often seemed erratic and odd.

"I honestly think it was the biggest mistake," she said about appearing in her own reality show. "It was about celebrating all the many hats that I wore that you don't see on 'American Idol.' It all changed.

"When I looked at [the tapes] I couldn't believe what I'm seeing," she said. "I tell you I was angry, enraged. ... I've never been addicted to any prescription drugs. I've never been drunk. I've worked my whole life. I sacrificed being a normal girl and not having the ability to have proper relationships not being able to be a mom, a real mom. ... I am very fortunate and feel completely blessed, but I am not the girl that's in those tapes. That is plotting, scheming, editing and I understand the power of the media."