Paula Julie Abdul
Paula Abdul choreographed The Jacksons’ 1984 ‘Torture’ video, then launched a singing career that produced six number one hits from 1989 to 1991, including ‘Straight Up’ and ‘Rush Rush’. She later judged American Idol for eight seasons. Abdul won a Primetime Emmy Award and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991.
Paula Abdul by the numbers — life, work, and family.
The relatives of Paula Abdul — parents, partners, children, and siblings.
Paula Abdul — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
Paula Abdul took her first dance lessons at age eight in the San Fernando Valley. Her parents divorced when she was young; she would cry if she was late for dance class. At Van Nuys High School, she was senior class president and head cheerleader. After graduating in 1980, she studied TV and radio at California State University, Northridge. Within months of joining the L.A. Lakers cheerleaders, she became head cheerleader and choreographer, then dropped out to dance full-time.
In 1984, Paula Abdul earned her first major choreography credit with The Jacksons’ Torture video. She choreographed videos for George Michael, Debbie Gibson, Dolly Parton, Janet Jackson including Nasty and What Have You Done For Me Lately?, and ZZ Top. Her debut album Forever Your Girl took over two years to top the Billboard 200 but produced four number one singles; Straight Up broke out in December 1988. She accumulated six number one hits between 1989 and 1991. In 2002, she became a judge on American Idol, a role that defined her later career.
Paula Abdul married actor Emilio Estevez on April 29, 1992; they honeymooned in Winnipeg, Canada, and divorced in 1994. She married Brad Beckerman on October 25, 1996, divorcing in 1998. She struggled with bulimia nervosa since her teenage years and sought treatment in 1994. In 2005, she disclosed suffering from reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a chronic pain disorder. Her mother Lorraine died in January 2018 and her father Harry died in April 2019, both at age 85.
Paula Abdul’s choreography set a standard for pop music videos in the 1980s, influencing artists including Janet Jackson. Her six number one hits in three years made her one of the most successful pop stars of the early 1990s. She earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991 and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Her eight-season run on American Idol introduced her to a new generation. Her infectious dance-pop and groundbreaking choreography remain her legacy.
Browse the complete filmography of Paula Abdul — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.
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Every award, honor, and recognition received by Paula Abdul — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
A wall of memorable lines from Paula Abdul — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
When You Wish Upon a Star, You Just Might Become One.
My Niece Used to Share My Phone Number with Her Closest Friends at School, Which Led to Me Getting Calls from Young People I Didn’t Recognize. I’d Answer the Phone and Get a Squeal of Oh, God, It’s HER!
Little-known facts about Paula Abdul — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
Michael Bolton was Paula Abdul’s babysitter when she was growing up.
She is a former L.A. Lakers cheerleader.
She choreographed music videos for George Michael, Debbie Gibson, Dolly Parton, Janet Jackson, and ZZ Top.
As a child, she was so devoted to dance classes that she would cry at the thought of being late.
In 1994, Abdul sought treatment for bulimia nervosa, which she revealed years later she first developed as a teenager and only intensified after she became a pop star.
Her father is of Syrian descent and her mother is Canadian; her parents divorced when she was a child.
She appeared in and choreographed Janet Jackson’s music videos Nasty and What Have You Done For Me Lately?.
She spent her honeymoon with ex-husband Emilio Estevez in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
She had six number one hits from 1989 to 1991: Straight Up, Forever Your Girl, Cold Hearted, Opposites Attract, Rush Rush, and The Promise of a New Day.
Her favorite love song is Roberta Flack’s recording of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.
She co-wrote, with Kara DioGuardi, Kylie Minogue’s UK number one hit Spinning Around.
Her mother, Lorraine M. Rykiss, died on January 14, 2018 at age 85. Her father, Harry Abdul, died in April 2019 from Alzheimer’s disease, also aged 85.
Her 1989 number one hit Straight Up was ranked number 81 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Dance Songs.
Her idol is Gene Kelly; she used to wish that he was her father.
In April 2005, Abdul said that she suffers from a neurological disorder, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, that causes chronic pain.
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on December 4, 1991.
On March 24, 2005, a Los Angeles court sentenced her to two years probation and ordered her to pay $1100 after she pleaded no contest to involvement in a hit-and-run incident in December 2004.
Her first album, Forever Your Girl, took over two years to reach the top of Billboard’s album charts in 1990 and spawned four number one singles.
She attended and graduated from Van Nuys High School in Los Angeles, California.
She is the former daughter-in-law of Martin Sheen and Janet Sheen, and former sister-in-law of Ramon Estevez, Renée Estevez, and Charlie Sheen.
In a guest appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn on May 18, 2004, she remarked that she is no longer a vegetarian.
She is friends with Toni Braxton.
She attended California State University, Northridge CSUN in Los Angeles, California.
She is a fan of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys.
She is the younger sister of Wendy Abdul, by whom she has a nephew and a niece; they are Paula’s juniors by 10 and 13 years respectively.
She said a few lines on Chunky A’s song Dope, The Big Lie, which appears on the album Large and in Charge 1989.
She was ranked number 85 on VH1’s 100 Sexiest Artists.
On June 10, 2017, she canceled her performance in Denver, Colorado, after suffering an injury.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Paula Abdul.
Celebrities similar to Paula Abdul — same craft, ranked by reach.
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