Paula Abdul facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paula Abdul
Abdul at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2023
Born	Paula Julie Abdul (1962-06-19) June 19, 1962 (age 63) San Fernando, California, U.S.
Alma mater	California State University, Northridge
Occupation	Singer dancer choreographer actress television personality
Years active	1978–present
Spouse(s)	Emilio Estevez ​ ​ (m. 1992; div. 1994)​ Brad Beckerman ​ ​ (m. 1996; div. 1998)​
Musical career
Genres	R&B pop dance new jack swing
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Virgin Captive Mercury Concord Filament

Paula Julie Abdul (born June 19, 1962) is an American singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and TV star. She started as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers at 18. Soon, she became the main choreographer for the Laker Girls. This is where she was discovered by the Jacksons.

After creating dances for Janet Jackson's music videos, Paula became a top choreographer during the music video boom. She then signed with Virgin Records. Her first album, Forever Your Girl (1988), was a huge hit. It sold seven million copies in the U.S. and set a record. It had the most number-one songs from a debut album on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. These songs were "Straight Up", "Forever Your Girl", "Cold Hearted", and "Opposites Attract".

Her second album, Spellbound (1991), gave her two more number-one hits: "Rush Rush" and "The Promise of a New Day". With six number-one singles, Paula tied Diana Ross for the third-most chart-toppers among female solo artists at that time.

Paula was one of the first judges on the TV show American Idol from 2002 to 2009. She also judged The X Factor, Live to Dance, So You Think You Can Dance, and The Masked Dancer. She choreographed many films, including Coming to America (1988) and American Beauty (1999). She won a Grammy Award for Best Music Video for "Opposites Attract" in 1991. She also won two Emmy Awards for her dance work. Paula Abdul has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is also the first entertainer to get the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards' Hall of Fame Award.

Early Life and Dance Beginnings

Paula Abdul was born in San Fernando, California. Her parents were Jewish. Her father, Harry Abdul, was from Syria. He grew up in Brazil and then moved to the United States. Her mother, Lorraine, was a talented concert pianist. Paula also has an older sister named Wendy.

Paula loved dancing from a young age. She was inspired by Gene Kelly in the movie Singin' in the Rain. She took lessons in ballet, jazz, and tap. She went to Van Nuys High School, where she was a cheerleader and a great student.

At 15, she won a scholarship to a dance camp. In 1978, she was in a low-budget movie called Junior High School. After graduating high school in 1980, Paula studied broadcasting at California State University, Northridge. During her first year, she was chosen to be a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. These famous cheerleaders were called the Laker Girls. Within a year, she became their head choreographer. She stayed with the Laker Girls until 1986.

Paula's Music and Dance Career

Becoming a Choreographer

Abdul at the 42nd Primetime Emmy Awards, 1990

Paula Abdul was discovered by The Jacksons. Some band members saw her dancing at a Lakers game. They hired her to choreograph their music video for "Torture". Paula said it was a bit scary telling the Jacksons how to dance!

Her choreography for that video was a big success. This led to Paula becoming a famous music video choreographer. She worked on Janet Jackson's videos like "What Have You Done for Me Lately" and "Control". She also choreographed the Jacksons' Victory tour. Paula even choreographed the giant keyboard scene in the movie Big (1988) with Tom Hanks.

Pop Star Success: Forever Your Girl and Spellbound

In 1987, Paula used her own money to make a singing demo. Soon after, she signed with the new Virgin Records America. Even though she was an amazing dancer, Paula wasn't a trained singer. She worked with coaches to improve her voice.

Her first album, Forever Your Girl (1988), became one of the most successful debut albums ever at that time. It reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart and stayed there for 10 weeks. It also set a record for having four number-one songs from a debut album on the Billboard Hot 100. These hits were "Straight Up", "Forever Your Girl", "Cold Hearted", and "Opposites Attract". The album sold over 7 million copies. Paula won her first Grammy Award for Best Music Video for "Opposites Attract" in 1991.

Paula continued her success with her second album, Spellbound (1991). This album had two more number-one songs: "Rush Rush" and "The Promise of a New Day". The music video for "Rush Rush" was inspired by the movie Rebel Without a Cause and starred Keanu Reeves. Spellbound sold 7 million copies worldwide.

In 1991, Paula starred in a popular Diet Coke commercial. In it, she danced with a digital image of her idol, Gene Kelly. Paula received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 1991. She promoted Spellbound with her Under My Spell Tour.

After a break, Paula released her third album, Head over Heels (1995). It mixed pop and R&B music. The first song, "My Love Is for Real", used Middle Eastern music. Its music video was even shown in theaters before the movie Clueless. This song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Paula also released dance workout videos like Paula Abdul's Get Up and Dance!

TV Appearances and Return to Music

American Idol and Other Shows

Abdul at the Los Angeles Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in March 2007

In 2002, Paula became a judge on the Fox TV show American Idol. She was known for being a kind and supportive judge, especially compared to Simon Cowell. Their different judging styles often led to funny arguments on TV. Paula also worked as a reporter for Entertainment Tonight.

In 2007, a TV show called Hey Paula aired on Bravo. It showed her daily life. Paula also launched her own jewelry line on QVC.

In 2008, Paula returned to music with the song "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow". She performed it at the Super Bowl XLII pre-game show. The song did well, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. In 2009, she released another song, "I'm Just Here for the Music", which also charted.

Paula left American Idol in 2009 after contract talks. She said it was about standing up for her principles, not just money. She was replaced by Ellen DeGeneres.

Judging and Touring Again

In 2011, Paula was a judge and producer on the CBS show Live to Dance. Later that year, she rejoined Simon Cowell as a judge on the American version of The X Factor. She also appeared as a guest judge on Dancing with the Stars in 2012.

From 2013 to 2016, Paula was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance in the U.S. and Australia. In 2014, she made a cameo on the Australian soap opera Neighbours.

In 2016, Paula performed a full concert for the first time in 26 years at the Mixtape Festival. In 2017, she toured with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men on their Total Package Tour. This was her first tour in 25 years! She said she missed being on stage and connecting with her fans.

In 2018, Paula started her own solo tour, Straight Up Paula!, to celebrate 30 years of her first album. She performed a medley of her hits at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. In 2019, she announced her first Las Vegas residency, Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl. She also performed at the America's Got Talent finale.

In 2020, Paula became a panelist on The Masked Dancer. She returned as a guest judge on American Idol and Dancing with the Stars in 2021 and 2023. In 2023, she joined the team producing the Broadway musical How to Dance in Ohio. In 2024, she co-headlined The Magic Summer Tour.

Personal Life and Beliefs

Paula Abdul was married to actor Emilio Estevez from 1992 to 1994. She later married clothing designer Brad Beckerman in 1996, but they divorced in 1998.

Paula is proud of her Jewish faith. In 2013, at age 51, she had her bat mitzvah in Safed, Israel. She also supports guide dogs for people with blindness. She does not wear real fur.

Discography

Studio albums

• Forever Your Girl (1988)
• Spellbound (1991)
• Head over Heels (1995)

Tours and Residencies

Headlining

• Under My Spell Tour (1991–92)
• Straight Up Paula! (2018–19)

Co-headlining

• Club MTV Live (1989)
• Total Package Tour (2017) (with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men)
• The Magic Summer Tour (2024) (with New Kids on the Block and DJ Jazzy Jeff)

Residency

• Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl (2019–20)

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Appearances

Choreography Credits

Awards and Honors

Paula Abdul has won many awards for her singing, dancing, and choreography.

Images for kids

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  Abdul on the set of Live to Dance in 2011