Randy Jackson Talks Simon Cowell Rumors, Paula Abdul

American Idol judge and music producer Randy Jackson is getting a little sick of hearing about rumors of Simon Cowell departing from the hit reality show. Calling it a “distraction,” Jackson said he’d rather focus on the actual show and finding the next superstar talent rather than focusing on “wild” rumors.

Asked if the British curmudgeon would depart from the show at the end of his contract, Jackson shrugged. “I really don’t know until I hear it from him…The rumors get so wild and crazy, you just don’t know what to believe,” says Jackson. “It is pretty much a distraction. I think people get a little side-tracked with that…Let’s also focus on what we are judging and what the actual heartbeat of the show really is, and it is about finding that next superstar talent.”