Birth Date: 06/19/1963
Birthplace: San Fernando, California
Claim to Fame (or Shame)
This former Lakers cheerleader and choreographer has staying power, even if her onetime collaborator MC Skat Kat doesn’t. No matter who how many times American Idol's softest judge steals the red carpet spotlight with her bright outfits and unique word choices, pisses off Simon Cowell, gets caught in a hit and run or trades marital vows with Emilio Estevez, Paula-babe will always be forever your girl, right? Us, too. Straight up, we’re grateful that Paula made the leap from Hollywood square to Idol judge in 2002. Fun fact: Michael Bolton was her babysitter. That explains a lot.
Credits
1 Movies, 14 TV appearances, 9 awards
Movie
Awards
Hookups
"Abdul got a chance to show off her voice. It was lovely, although not great. Her appeal lies in her wonderful phrasing, attention to details and sense of showmanship that engages the crowd in every piece."---Dan Aquilante in his New York Post review of Abdul's first concert tour, November 20, 1991.
"Ms. Abdul owes her multi-million-selling albums to diligence and modern electronics as well as catchy songs. Diligence and skill turned a short, rounded (but trim) cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers into an influential pop choreographer; studio electronics bolstered a small voice on her albums and glamorized her video image with quick cuts and careful camera angles."---Jon Pareles in his The New York Times review of Abdul's concert tour, November 21, 1991.
Described as "the kind of mass-appeal superstar critics love to loathe. Many claim the former cheerleader's peppy dance routines and videogenic charm, not her musical ability, pushed sales of her first album to 7 million and the second, "Spellbound", to nearly 3 million."---From USA Today, October 29, 1991.
In 1995 Abdul participated in an ABC television interview with Diane Sawyer in which she discussed her weight problem and her personal battles with bulimia.
In May 2005, ABC's Primetime Live reported second season Idol contestant Corey Clark's claims and corroborating evidence that he and Abdul had had an affair during the season, and that she had coached him on how to succeed in the competition. Adbul has dismissed Clark's claims.
In November 2004, Abdul had been diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Public concern rose as her behavior became erratic on a couple of occasions-during American Idol as well as during an April 2005 appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," when she appeared to be intoxicated.
On March 24, 2005, Abdul was fined and sentenced to two years' probation for a hit-and-run incident in Encino, California.
Milestones
Birthplace: San Fernando, California
Claim to Fame (or Shame)
This former Lakers cheerleader and choreographer has staying power, even if her onetime collaborator MC Skat Kat doesn’t. No matter who how many times American Idol's softest judge steals the red carpet spotlight with her bright outfits and unique word choices, pisses off Simon Cowell, gets caught in a hit and run or trades marital vows with Emilio Estevez, Paula-babe will always be forever your girl, right? Us, too. Straight up, we’re grateful that Paula made the leap from Hollywood square to Idol judge in 2002. Fun fact: Michael Bolton was her babysitter. That explains a lot.
Credits
1 Movies, 14 TV appearances, 9 awards
Movie
- Master of Disguise
- Sabrina, The Teenage Witch
- Spin City
- That'S So Raven
- Hey Paula!
- Less Than Perfect
- The Bernie Mac Show
- Cybill
- Family Guy
- Muppets Tonight
- The Single Guy
- The Wayans Bros
- American Idol
- Hollywood Residential
- All Of Us
Awards
- 1991 : American Music Award : Pop/Rock Female Artist
- 1990 : Emmy : Outstanding Achievement in Choreography
- 1990 : Grammy : Best short-form music video
- 1989 : American Music Award : Dance Music Artist
- 1989 : MTV Music Video Award : Dance Video
- 1989 : MTV Music Video Award : Female Video
- 1989 : American Music Award : Pop/Rock Female Artist
- 1989 : Emmy : Outstanding Achievement in Choreography
- 1987 : MTV Video Award : Best Dance Video
- Father: Harry Abdul:Syrian, Brazilian; divorced from Paula's mother
- Mother: Lorraine Abdul:French-Canadian; divorced from Paula's father
- Sister: Wendy Abdul:born c. 1956
- Husband: Brad Beckerman:married October 24, 1996; divorced 1998
- Husband: Emilio Estevez:born May 12, 1962; married April 1992; divorced May 1994
Hookups
- Companion: Colton Melby:part owner of gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson; began dating April 2003; split January 2004
- Companion: Dante Spencer: met salsa dancing at an L.A. club; began dating August 2005; no longer together
- Companion: J T Torregiani: Dolce Group partner; dated from 2007-2008
- Companion: Jace Richdale: wrote for the TV series "The Simpsons"
- Companion: Tony Schiena: Rumored to have dated in 2006; no longer together
Notes
"Abdul got a chance to show off her voice. It was lovely, although not great. Her appeal lies in her wonderful phrasing, attention to details and sense of showmanship that engages the crowd in every piece."---Dan Aquilante in his New York Post review of Abdul's first concert tour, November 20, 1991.
"Ms. Abdul owes her multi-million-selling albums to diligence and modern electronics as well as catchy songs. Diligence and skill turned a short, rounded (but trim) cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers into an influential pop choreographer; studio electronics bolstered a small voice on her albums and glamorized her video image with quick cuts and careful camera angles."---Jon Pareles in his The New York Times review of Abdul's concert tour, November 21, 1991.
Described as "the kind of mass-appeal superstar critics love to loathe. Many claim the former cheerleader's peppy dance routines and videogenic charm, not her musical ability, pushed sales of her first album to 7 million and the second, "Spellbound", to nearly 3 million."---From USA Today, October 29, 1991.
In 1995 Abdul participated in an ABC television interview with Diane Sawyer in which she discussed her weight problem and her personal battles with bulimia.
In May 2005, ABC's Primetime Live reported second season Idol contestant Corey Clark's claims and corroborating evidence that he and Abdul had had an affair during the season, and that she had coached him on how to succeed in the competition. Adbul has dismissed Clark's claims.
In November 2004, Abdul had been diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Public concern rose as her behavior became erratic on a couple of occasions-during American Idol as well as during an April 2005 appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," when she appeared to be intoxicated.
On March 24, 2005, Abdul was fined and sentenced to two years' probation for a hit-and-run incident in Encino, California.
Milestones
- (1995) After taking a few years off for personal issues, she released "Head Over Heels," her third studio album
- (2002-present) Appeared with Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson as judges in the reality competition "American Idol"
- (2002) Became a correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight" (CBS). Began choreographing for such movies as "Bull Durham," "The Running Man," "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Coming to America"
- (1999) Cast in the NBC television movie "Mr. Rock and Roll: The Alan Freed Story" Choreographed four of Janet Jackson's videos from her "Control" album, including "Nasty" and "What have you done for me lately"
- (1984) Discovered by the Jacksons while dancing at a Laker game; hired as an assistant dance director on The Jackson's Victory tour
- (1982-1985) Dropped out of school to become a Laker Girl, a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers; promoted to choreographer
- (2005) Joined Fox's reality show "So You Think You Can Dance" as a correspondent
- (1981) Made film debut at age 15 in "Junior High School"
- Offered a dance scholarship at the Julliard school for performing arts in New York City; turned it down to stay closer to home
- Received an Emmy for choreographing "The Tracy Ullman Show". (1990) Released a remix album titled "Shut Up And Dance," which became the top selling remix album in history
- (1988) Released her debut album, "Forever Your Girl"; the single "Straight Up" became Paula's first number one hit
- (1991) Released the album "Spellbound"; the single "Rush Rush" was an instant hit
- (1987) Signed a deal with Virgin records
- (1997) Starred in the ABC television movie "Touched By Evil". Started her own dance company, Company Dance, and showcased dance competitions throughout the US.
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