Paula Abdul hasn't spoken a word since she shocked the world in early August by announcing her decision to quit American Idol after failing to reach a contract agreement with the show's producers. But on Sunday, Abdul turned up at the Hollywood Hills home of musical producer Craig Zadan to celebrate his successful Lifetime comedy series, Drop Dead Diva, in which Abdul guest stars as, of all things, a judge. Abdul finally broke her silence to TV Guide Magazine about her decision to leave Idol, her fun new role and what's next. A talk show perhaps?

You're looking amazing, Paula. And you seem so happy today. No regrets about leaving American Idol?
You know, to say 'no regrets' isn't easy. I feel like I have been such a big, huge part of the success of the show from day one. I loved being able to be the artist's artist; being there from my point of view of knowing what it feels like to be vulnerable and to be out there wanting to achieve the most magical moment in a minute and thirty seconds. To be able to do that was an amazing experience and the show was wonderful for me in that regard.

Obviously, Simon must be devastated.
You know, we stay in touch. And I've stayed close to the contestants and I support them.

Simon told us in a cover story we did with him last April that he would never want to do the show without you. That he'd fight for you.
(Looks down, softly) I know... I know... I had to stand on my principle. This is the first time I'm speaking to the press. You're the first person I'm speaking to. I'm going to miss them. And I'm going to miss the experience of watching young talent evolve into a place where they get to take off and soar.

Will you still tune in?
Of course I will. I'll watch it as much as I can. I had some really unforgettable moments that hit plateaus for me and I'm very blessed to have been a part of what made television history.

The contestants will no doubt miss having a Paula Abdul on the judges' panel rooting for them.
Well, it warms my heart that the kids are saying, 'I just feel bad that we don't get to experience Paula being there.'

Is there anything the show could do to get you back?
That's a hard question to answer right now. I mean, I don't think I can answer that right now.

Is it just about the money?
It's never...I stand on principle where many people stand on money. I'm a hard-working artist. I've lasted in this business for 23 years. And you can't do that unless you are good at what you do. I believe in myself and you have to have your own self respect. And sometimes decisions are very difficult to make, but I've always believed that at the core I'm a survivor. There's not one thing I've done that I've really set my mind to that I've failed at.

You've said you'd like to do a talk show.
Absolutely. I definitely want to do a talk show because it would be different.

What would The Paula Abdul Show be like?
Well, since there is talk about me possibly doing one I don't want to give the goodies away. I'd be Paula. It would be a lot of fun variety with a ton of unexpected stuff and tributes to everyday people getting their big chance.

Ugly Betty wanted you to guest star but you turned that down.
That happened so quickly it was already announced before my mangers even knew. I'm a big fan of Ugly Betty. I love that show, so if there's ever a chance again when the time is right...

Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva has touched many women of all different sizes. It's about a dead model whose soul inhabits the body of a plus-sized lawyer. What about this appealed to you?
It takes very funny writers to say, 'We'd like you to play Judge Paula Abdul,' but differently. So there's a similarity to what I did (on Idol), but expands it to everything I want to do. It's really tongue in cheek and allows me to just go for it. When I saw the pilot I'd never gone through such a full gamut of emotions—from feeling sad for someone and then feeling so thrilled for them, and in between that there's hysterical writing. It's such a charmed show, that when I saw it I said, 'I'm in!'

What do you play?
The irony is I play a fantasy version of judge Paula Abdul and I've never had more fun. I'm playing a real judge in a courtroom speaking as Jane's (Brooke Elliott) conscience. I root her on and give her the gumption to do the things she needs to do to get what she wants.

So what do you want to do next?
It's been incredible. I feel like I'm having the best time of my life right now. I've already shot two episodes of this show (airing Sept. 13
and Oct. 11) in a recurring role and they're talking about me doing the second season premiere episode. When you get to work with people you admire, I would drop everything to work with (executive producers) Neil Meron and Craig Zadan. I've known them for years and years and they are sweethearts. They protect you and want the best for you. They've always known that I'm an actress. And it's time I started getting out there and doing it.

Lastly, what do you want to tell your many TV Guide Magazine fans who will be missing you next season on American Idol?
The fans all should know I adore, love, appreciate and respect how much they've expressed their outpouring of love and support for me. That's what keeps me going in lots of ways. The fans are supporting and rooting for me in all the future endeavors I'm doing. I love that and I'm grateful to American Idol for allowing all of that to happen.