Paula Abdul: I quit American Idol eight times on my first day

"A few years ago, this man came up to me and introduced himself and said, 'I was your sound guy on your first day at work at

American Idol

', Paula chuckles. "I said, 'Oh wow, I feel bad, I must have quit a few times'. And he said, 'Eight, you quit eight times'," she said.

The singer and dancer, 53, said she struggled to come to terms with the fact so many wannabes had their dreams shattered by Abdul and her fellow judges Simon Cowell and

Randy Jackson

, reported Entertainment Weekly.
All 'American Idol' judges likely to return for final season
"I felt terrible for those kids. I would try to maintain composure in the midst of absurdity and they were completely delusional, like brilliantly delusional."

"But there was never a shortage of really incredible voices and raw talent. We were always able to find it, and that's what was so exciting."

Listen to Paula Abdul on gaana.com