People: Poor Paula just needs a nap

A leaked audio tape in which Paula Abdul can be heard sobbing and bad-mouthing her former spokesman has hit the Internet.

Among other things, the “American Idol” judge says that Howard Bragman told her she was “too old” to appear on the cover of OK! magazine – a claim he denies.

Abdul, 44, tells the magazine in its new issue that she didn’t figure out her purpose in life until she became an “Idol” judge.

“I knew since I was a little girl that I had this profound way of touching people,” the singer-dancer says. “My purpose is bringing out everybody’s best and being that cheerleader to other people’s success.”

Abdul, who suffers from a painful neurological disorder and was injured in auto and airplane accidents, says her sometimes odd behavior on camera is the result of exhaustion.

“I have a lot of sleepless nights because I’m in so much pain,” she says. “I try to say something and I stumble, and that’s what people have picked up on. I’m not polished.”

Look for more on that when the reality show “Hey Paula,” following her day-to-day life, premieres June 28 on Bravo.

Donald, you’re rehired?

Speaking of reality TV, Donald Trump and “The Apprentice” may be getting a reprieve from the new regime at NBC.

Although the network’s option on the show was supposed to expire Friday, new NBC President Ben Silverman has extended that deadline until June 8, reports TV Guide Online.

“Apprentice” creator Mark Burnett, a friend of Silverman’s, put him on the phone with Trump, and “Ben really made Donald feel comfortable and wanted,” a source tells Variety.

Fallen ‘Idol’ worship

Until now, when asked about her favorite male singers, newly crowned “American Idol” champ Jordin Sparks has led the list with John Mayer and Justin Timberlake.

Now she’s got another name to add: former “Idol” competitor Sanjaya Malakar.

“He had so much guts,” Sparks said of the much-maligned Sanjaya, 17. “He got a lot of criticism, but for him to go out on that stage and hold his head high … I really look up to him for that. He’s just an amazing kid.”

Third-person positive

As she prepares to film her first major movie role, in an adaptation of the gospel musical “Mama, I Want to Sing!,” hit-making vocalist Ciara is trying to remain calm.

“I don’t want to claim the word ‘nervous’ at all,” the 21-year-old says. “I’m thinking, ‘Ciara’s gonna go in, she’s gonna go hard, she’s gonna challenge herself, she’s gonna knock it out.’ “

Quoteworthy

Rosie O’Donnell, on leaving “The View”: “I was really just like a foster kid for a year. I came, you know, we considered adoption, but I didn’t really fit into the family, and now it’s time for the foster kid to go back home.”

The birthday bunch

Actress Sally Kellerman is 70. Actor Stacy Keach is 66. Drummer Charlie Watts (the Rolling Stones) is 66. Composer Marvin Hamlisch is 63. Actor Jerry Mathers (“Leave It To Beaver”) is 59. Actor Dennis Haysbert (“24”) is 53. Comedian Dana Carvey is 52. Comedian Wayne Brady is 35. Actress Nikki Cox (“Unhappily Ever After”) is 29.