Paula Abdul

In The Beginning

In San Fernando, California, Paula was born to Harry Abdul, a Syrian Jewish community leader and Lorraine M. Abdul, a concert pianist. She became the younger sister to Wendy Abdul who was seven years older than her. Paula graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1980. While she was in high school she took dance lessons in jazz, ballet and tap while she also volunteered as a cheerleader. Even as a young girl she loved dancing. She would consistently study Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain and aspired to be as accomplished as him. By the time she was fifteen she was awarded a dance scholarship and was featured in an independent musical called Junior High School. After one year of college at California State University, she was enlisted to be a Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader where she quickly became the lead choreographer.

Career Accomplishments

Throughout her career received many awards and tons of recognition as a choreographer, singer and musician. The first award she won was in 1987 when she choreographed Janet Jackson’s video “Nasty.” She won the best choreography at the MTV Video Music Awards and then later that year shared her award for outstanding choreography on the Tracey Ullman Show. That same year she won the People’s Choice award for her favorite female musical performer. In 1989 she won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography, Best Editing, Best Female Video and Best Dance Video. At the American Music she won Favorite Dance Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist as well as the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Female Musical Performer and Outstanding Choreography. In 1991 she won Best Short Form Music Video and was honored with her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Most Known For

Despite her many accomplishments in choreography and singing, Paula is best known as a judge for American Idol. Between 2002 and 2009 she sat beside Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson as they weeded through thousands of pop star hopefuls. Paula was known as the sympathetic pal to the cast which turned out to be a great contrast from Simon Cowell. Simon Cowell’s tough love made Paula reconsider coming back to the show but Simon convinced her otherwise. Finally, Paula decided not to return to American Idol because she had to “stand on principle.”

Where Are They Now

Paula Abdul is now working as a judge for So You Think You can Dance. There are rumors that she could be returning to American Idol for the final season and even more rumors that she is dating John Stamos after a few shots of the two together.