AMERICAN IDOL - ABDUL DEBUTS NEW BOYFRIEND

AMERICAN IDOL judge PAULA ABDUL has bounced back on the dating scene a month after tearfully admitting to DR PHIL MCGRAW on a TV special that she has trouble finding true love. The STRAIGHT UP singer was spotted at a West Hollywood boutique opening on Tuesday night (21MAR06) hand-in-hand with handsome actor TONY SCHIENA. The pair pulled up in a Jaguar and slipped inside for the opening of Australian designer LEONA EDMISTON's store, where they sipped pomegranate martinis and held hands. According to sources at the party, at one point the actor stood behind the petite star and wrapped his arm around her. Schiena, who is from South Africa, was a black belt world karate champ before turning to acting. He has appeared in CSI:NY and also had a small role in 2004's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. Abdul's representative says the two are "just friends", while Schiena's representative says her client's "friendship" with Abdul started a year ago, when they met socially.