![]() 1, eventually selling over 10 million copies internationally. ![]() 1, while the album topped the Billboard 100 at No. The label's hunch about Abdul's potential appeal proved right, and her first album, Forever Your Girl, released in June of 1988, immediately begat two hit singles, "Knocked Out" and "The Way That You Love Me." Her third single, "Straight Up," went all the way to No. By then, the energetic, exotically beautiful dancer with the strong work ethic and flair for showbiz was being courted by Virgin America Records, who had visions of turning her into a pop star, despite her lack of experience or innate talent as a singer. The Jacksons used her choreography talent for the 1984 video "Torture," while Janet later tapped Abdul to choreograph her solo music video for "What Have You Done for Me Lately" Following the success of those high-profile hits, Abdul was suddenly in demand for her services, choreographing videos for such diverse acts as Duran Duran, George Michael and ZZ Top.Ībdul's résumé of music videos led to choreography work on feature films including "Private School" (1983), "The Running Man" (1987) and "Coming to America" (1988). Lending her own personal style to the team's routines, Abdul infused jazz and street steps with standard cheerleading moves - enough that the team's revamped style captured the attention of various Jacksons in the famed musical family. Not only did she make the team, but several months into working with them, the choreographer departed and Abdul landed the job. All her years of tap, jazz and ballet paid off. Meanwhile her mother, a retired classical pianist, warned Abdul about the perils of being a professional entertainer, so instead of following her dream, Abdul enrolled at California State University, Northridge to pursue a degree in broadcasting, with an eye towards becoming a sportscaster.ĭuring her freshman year at CSUN, Abdul auditioned for a coveted spot as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers. She appeared in summer stock stage productions from age seven, performing excerpts from musicals like "Hello Dolly" and "Gypsy." A near-obsessive overachiever, Abdul was class president, member of the science and debate teams, and flautist in the orchestra at Van Nuys High School, while continuing to prove her dancing skills as the school's head cheerleader. She was drawn to entertainment after seeing the classic musical "Singin' in the Rain" (1952) as a child, and afterwards began ballet and tap lessons. Her earlier "nice girl" veneer, however, soon gave way to controversy amid Abdul's loopy behavior, allegations of inappropriate contact with a male "Idol" contestant, and her dramatic and unexpected departure from one of the most popular TV series on television.īorn June 19, 1963, Abdul was raised in California's San Fernando Valley by her Syrian-Brazilian father and French-Canadian mother. Proving them all wrong, in 2002, Abdul was cast on "American Idol" in the obligatory role of "overly kind" judge alongside the abrasive Simon Cowell and the bland Randy Jackson. At the peak of her popularity, Abdul was continually criticized for her fluctuating weight and her limited vocal range, and when her style was eclipsed by harder grunge rock in the early 1990s, she faded into obscurity. She would parlay her role as a high profile dancer into a brief music career where her fun, poppy R&B-tinged singles and electric concert performances earned comparisons to Jackson and Madonna. But years before she could make aspiring singer's dreams come true, Abdul was a key figure in the 1980s music video world for her choreography work with Janet Jackson among others. Known primarily as a music video choreographer and pop star of the late 1980s, Paula Abdul would later enjoy triumphant career resurgence as a judge on the phenomenally popular reality talent show, "American Idol" (Fox, 2002-16).
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