Witnesses Say "American Idol" Judge Wanted Special Treatment

We've all heard horror stories of popular actors and singers demanding preferential treatment when traveling by air. Usually, their desires of the ego are sated by corporate jets... but alas, sometimes celebrities must slog through the trenches with the common rabble, as well.

That brings us to a recent Southwest Airlines flight from San Jose, CA to Burbank, which hosted former singer and current "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul. Witnesses tell MSNBC Abdul demanded to be seated in first class -- which, of course, Southwest doesn't have -- and when denied that and other star-caliber amenities, Abdul allegedly replied "but I'm famous!"

As you may imagine, THAT didn't sit well with other passengers awaiting their turn to board the plane... even prompting one of them to quip "You're no Sanjaya! You have to board with everyone else" -- a reference to American Idol sensation Sanjaya Malakar.

While Sanjaya has been since voted off that show, Abdul was allowed to board the plane... where she tried in vain to keep the seat next to her vacant, saying it was for another passenger. That didn't work, either.

At least passengers weren't able to vote Abdul off the plane...

FMI: www.southwest.com, www.americanidol.com