Paula Abdul battles 'misconceptions'

NEW YORK, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. entertainer Paula Abdul said Sunday there are many misconceptions about her, including that she is an airhead with a drinking problem.

Interviewed by Julie Chen on "CBS Sunday Morning," the longtime singer and dancer is promoting her new CBS reality show "Live to Dance," where amateur dancers of all ages will compete for a half-million-dollar prize.

"I am intelligent. Having a brain -- that's a concept, yes, with Paula Abdul. I have a brain," the former "American Idol" judge said.

She said her chemistry with Simon Cowell was even worse than it appeared on the air.

"I was his Lucy, to his Desi," Abdul said.

Responding to unflattering video footage that has aired on "Idol," Abdul said, "I've never had a drinking problem. Even though I've been in this business for quite some time, I've never physically been drunk in my life. I've never been drunk in my life. I don't use recreational drugs. But I am goofy. It's Paula. And even the people on 'Idol' know that none of that existed, ever."

She also said she has "someone special" in her life but would not reveal his name.