How do you know when a star is nearing a contract negotiation? When they sit down for a lengthy interview without anything to promote. (It’s not like American Idol needs the help.)

Earlier this week, Simon Cowell touched on his future and Kara DioGuardi during a Late Late Show appearance. Now Paula Abdul’s getting a window in the after hours spotlight.

In an interview to air on Thursday’s Nightline (you can preview a portion of it here), the Idol judge addressed rumors of substance abuse, the relationship with the woman to her right and her reason for quitting several times.

Although we’ve now become used to loopy moments a la Hey Paula!, the 46-year-old continues to insist that she is not under the influence of anything. “I’ve never been addicted to any prescription drugs. I’ve never been drunk,” she stated. Abdul faults a loss of sleep for giving people the impression that she’s not entirely there. (The singer/dancer says chronic pain as a result of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy keeps her up at night.)

So how does she explain all the reported conflict with the show’s fourth judge? She doesn’t. That’s because there isn’t any. Despite learning of the addition at the last minute, she denies any tension between her and Kara. “None, seriously,” Paula claims.

And what does she have to say about Simon? Even though the two are caught flirting on a weekly basis, Abdul says the “masterful bully” prompted her to quit “seven times” on her first day of the show. “Because I couldn’t believe that that someone was actually getting away with crushing fragile kids. This happens behind your back, [not] in front of your face,” she explained.

Now what does this all mean for her future with the program? That’s unclear. “I love the show, I do. I love what I do on the show, and I’m loving it more this season than ever. It’s taken me a while to get comfortable in my own skin with the show.”