American Idol judge Paula Abdul stopped dating men for a year because she found it impossible to live up to her cheerful public image. Abdul, who has just started dating again, finds it difficult being herself when everyone expects her to be happy all the time.

She says, "I've learned that no one ever wants to hear anybody's problems. People are only used to seeing 'Happy Paula'. No one wants to ever see Paula Abdul not smiling. I get placed on a pedestal that I can't live up to. The woman who used to dance on MTV is a character. There were so many years of being hurt and let down."

-More Paula Abdul Pictures

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)