Another former Idol goes to bat for Paula.

Yet another former Idol contestant jumps to Paula Abdul's defense. Wannabe Michael Johns says it's time for the reality show's producers to pay up. Recently Constantine got into a physical altercation defending Paula.

Why doesn’t AI just give in and give her some bucks. Although we never really understood what Paula was saying, nor did the contestants, we all did get a good laugh. How much is a good laugh and people actually watching the show worth to AI? Hmmm, guess they better figure that part out, and QUICKLY…

He doesn't understand why they didn't give the ousted judge what she wanted to stay on.
"She's not asking for what [Ryan] Seacrest is getting paid," Johns told us last night at In Style editor Ariel Foxman's Summer Soiree party at the London hotel in West Hollywood. "She's asking for $20 million over three years, so I think she totally deserves that money. She's a huge reason people tune in to the show…I think Fox should pull their finger out and pay her what she deserves."

Johns said Abdul confided in him during the negotiations.

"We talk all the time," the Aussie singer said. "She was a bit upset. She just doesn't understand why Fox made the decision they made—especially when a lot of people got upgrades in money. But she said, 'Look I'm not going to budge on this. I really think that's my worth.' "

Paula or no Paula, Johns does hope the upcoming season includes a second guest-judging stint by Inglourious Basterds director Quentin Tarantino.

"He was hilarious," he said. "I wish he could come back."As for someone new, Johns has a thing for a certain late-night talk-show host. "I think Chelsea Handler would be pretty funny," he said, adding, "Chelsea would be my first pick."