IDOL: Was Paula Abdul Lip-Synching?

She's just here for the music -- but perhaps not the vocals.

Paula Abdul -- whose 1988 album Forever Your Girl sold more than 12 million copies worldwide, -- made her first appearance on American Idol as a performer, but the internet is buzzing with debate over whether she was actually singing, or merely lip-synching her new single, I'm Just Here for the Music.

Part of the problem is that the Idol stage was so dimly-lit and smoke-filled, it was difficult to see if Paula was in fact singing or merely doing a "Britney."

While we don't know if her vocals were infact canned, the Associated Press is reporting that her performance was pre-taped and played on the live broadcast of the results show Wednesday night.

The 46-year-old ex-Laker girl flashed her dancing skills enhanced by a troupe of a half-dozen suit-clad male dancers cavorting the cougar around the garish Idol stage.

Abdul might have hinted that if her reborn career as a vocalist works, her days as a judge might be numbered. At the conclusion of her song, a dancer dressed up as a paparazzo barked at her: "Will you be back for next season?"

Paula stayed silent.   

According to the Los Angeles Times, Paula is currently in negotiations with Idol to renew her contract, and, if there are any snags, it's likely to be over salary.

The paper says Simon apparently makes about $36 million a season, while Paula makes around $2 million.