Paula Abdul Exclusive: Simon Cowell's 'a Bully'

MCFADDEN: You have not consumed alcohol before going on the air?

ABDUL: Never. I've never been drunk in my life. I don't like it. It's not my thing. Spending money on clothes and shoes -- that's another thing.

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Abdul on Chronic Pain From a Neck Injury Suffered in 1992:

MCFADDEN: There'd be no dishonor in taking pain medication if you're in pain. Vicodin, Oxycontin, those drugs?

Carol Kaelson/ABC

"Nightline" co-anchor Cynthia McFadden with... View Full Caption

"Nightline" co-anchor Cynthia McFadden with "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul. She told McFadden she regrets not going public sooner about a neck injury that caused her chronic pain. Close

ABDUL: No, no. no no no. will not take those drugs. 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.

MCFADDEN: But on your reality show ["Hey Paula"] there are so many times where you don't look like you are really there. You're eyes are closing, your head is falling back ...

ABDUL: Because I'm falling asleep and a camera is on me. I don't have anything that is shameful. I don't have anything to be embarrassed about that was NOT accurate documentation of my life.