Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 19, 1962 San Fernando, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, television personality |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Known for | Singer with multiple Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles; original judge on American Idol; choreographer for Janet Jackson and others |
Paula Julie Abdul (born June 19, 1962) is a multifaceted American entertainer known for her work as a singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television figure. At 18, she started her professional journey as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers and soon advanced to become the lead choreographer for the Laker Girls. It was during this time that the Jackson family discovered her talent. After choreographing several Janet Jackson music videos, Abdul established herself as a prominent figure in choreography during the rise of music videos and subsequently secured a recording contract with Virgin Records.
Her first album, Forever Your Girl (1988), achieved sales of seven million copies in the United States and set a record by producing four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles: "Straight Up," "Forever Your Girl," "Cold Hearted," and "Opposites Attract." Her follow-up album, Spellbound (1991), featured chart-topping hits including "Rush Rush" and "The Promise of a New Day." With six number-one singles on the Hot 100, Abdul matched Diana Ross for the third-highest number of chart-toppers by a female solo artist at that time. As of 2025, she is ranked seventh alongside Diana Ross and Lady Gaga for the greatest number of U.S. number-one singles by female performers.
Abdul served as an original judge on American Idol from 2002 to 2009 and has also appeared on shows such as The X Factor, Live to Dance, So You Think You Can Dance, and The Masked Dancer. Her choreography work extends to films including Can't Buy Me Love (1987), The Running Man (1987), Coming to America (1988), Action Jackson (1988), The Doors (1991), Jerry Maguire (1996), and American Beauty (1999). She received seventeen MTV Video Music Award nominations and won five awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Music Video in 1991 for "Opposites Attract." Abdul has also earned two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She holds the distinction of being the first entertainer inducted into the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Hall of Fame.
Early life
Born in San Fernando, California, Abdul comes from a Jewish background. Her father, Harry Abdul, who is of Syrian Jewish descent, was born in Aleppo, Syria, grew up in Brazil, and later immigrated to the United States. Her mother, Lorraine (Rykiss), was a concert pianist with Jewish roots from Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada. Paula has an elder sister named Wendy. Motivated by Gene Kelly's performance in Singin' in the Rain, she aspired to enter show business.
From an early age, Abdul trained in various dance styles including ballet, jazz, and tap. She attended Van Nuys High School, where she excelled as both a cheerleader and an honor student. At age 15, she earned a scholarship to attend a dance camp near Palm Springs. In 1978, she appeared in the independent musical film Junior High School. After graduating from Van Nuys High School in 1980, she pursued studies in broadcasting at California State University, Northridge. During her freshman year, out of 700 applicants, she was chosen to join the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers cheerleading squad—the renowned Laker Girls—and within one year became their head choreographer. She continued her involvement with the Laker Girls until 1986.
1982–1986: Early Professional Years
Paula Abdul first caught the attention of the Jacksons during a Los Angeles Lakers game, leading to her engagement as the choreographer for their single "Torture." She later admitted feeling somewhat daunted while directing their dance routines. The success of this project propelled her into prominence as a choreographer for music videos, most notably for Janet Jackson’s chart-topping tracks such as "What Have You Done for Me Lately," "Nasty," "When I Think of You," and "Control." This recognition also secured her the role of choreographer for the Jacksons' Victory tour. Additionally, Abdul contributed choreography to the keyboard scene in the 1988 film Big.
1987–1999: Breakthrough with Forever Your Girl, Follow-up Albums and Tours
In 1987, Abdul used her personal savings to produce a singing demo, which led to her signing with Virgin Records America under the direction of Jeff Ayeroff, who saw her potential not only as a dancer but also as an emerging vocalist. Although she had minimal formal vocal training at that time, she expanded her mezzo-soprano range through professional coaching and production assistance.
Her debut album, Forever Your Girl (1988), set a record as the most successful debut album of its era, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 after 64 weeks and yielding four chart-topping singles on the Billboard Hot 100: "Straight Up," "Forever Your Girl," "Cold Hearted," and "Opposites Attract." The album earned a 7× platinum certification from the RIAA. A remix album titled Shut Up and Dance: Mixes also achieved commercial success, peaking at number seven in the US charts. Abdul was honored with a Grammy Award for Best Music Video for "Opposites Attract" at the 32nd Grammy Awards. In 1991, allegations claiming uncredited vocals on Forever Your Girl were dismissed in her favor.
Her sophomore effort, Spellbound (1991), sustained her commercial momentum with two number-one hits: "Rush Rush" and "The Promise of a New Day." The album fused dance-pop with R&B elements and sold approximately seven million copies worldwide. The video for "Rush Rush" featured actor Keanu Reeves in a tribute to Rebel Without a Cause. Additional singles such as "Vibeology" and "Will You Marry Me?" reached the Billboard top 20. To support the album, Abdul embarked on the Under My Spell Tour from 1991 to 1992.
After taking a brief break to focus on personal well-being and recovery from physical health issues, Abdul released her third studio album, Head over Heels (1995). This record combined pop and R&B styles but experienced moderate commercial performance, peaking at number 18 on the Billboard 200 and becoming her lowest-selling album domestically with sales exceeding 500,000 copies. The lead single, "My Love Is for Real," incorporated Middle Eastern musical influences and reached number one on the Billboard Dance chart. Its music video was shown prior to screenings of the film Clueless. Follow-up singles included "Crazy Cool" and "Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up."
Beyond recording music, Abdul ventured into fitness by releasing dance workout videos such as Paula Abdul's Get Up and Dance! (1995) and Cardio Dance (1998), targeting health-conscious audiences. She also applied her choreography skills to various film and stage projects including Reefer Madness (1998) and American Beauty (1999). In 1997, she co-wrote the song "Spinning Around" alongside Kara DioGuardi with plans for it to be her comeback single; however, it was ultimately recorded by Kylie Minogue.
2000–2009: Return to Music, American Idol, and Hey Paula
In 2000, Virgin Records issued the first of two compilation albums featuring Paula Abdul’s hits, titled Paula Abdul: Greatest Hits. The following year, Abdul co-produced the pilot for MTV's Skirts, a series about a high school cheerleading team; however, the show never aired. In 2002, she joined Fox's reality competition American Idol as a judge, gaining recognition for her empathetic mentoring style, which contrasted with Simon Cowell's more direct approach. Despite occasional on-air disagreements, Cowell persuaded her to continue on the panel. Alongside this role, Abdul contributed as a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight. In December 2005, she introduced Cardio Cheer, a DVD series blending cheerleading, fitness, and dance aimed at young audiences. Additionally, she choreographed The King's touchdown celebrations featured in Burger King commercials during the 2005–06 NFL season. In 2006, Abdul made a guest judge appearance on the UK version of The X Factor.
Virgin released another compilation album in 2007 titled Greatest Hits: Straight Up!, and also made her Virgin catalog accessible on iTunes. That same year, Bravo broadcasted the reality show Hey Paula, which depicted her everyday life but was canceled after one season due to negative reactions to her portrayed demeanor.
In 2007, Paula Abdul Jewelry launched nationwide on QVC under the slogan "fashion jewelry designed with heart and soul," achieving 15 sellouts with over 34,000 units sold. In 2008, Abdul re-entered the music charts with the single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" from Randy Jackson's Music Club Vol. 1. Premiered on Ryan Seacrest's radio show and performed at Super Bowl XLII’s pre-game event, the track reached number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed to number 2 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Although there were reports of an upcoming album, it never materialized. Early in 2008, she also appeared as a guest star on the British drama series Hotel Babylon.
In January 2009, Abdul hosted MTV’s cheerleading contest "RAH!," which featured collegiate teams competing in various challenges. By May of that year, she released the single "I'm Just Here for the Music", debuting it on Ryan Seacrest Radio and performing it live on American Idol. The song peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her fifteenth entry on the chart.
Mid-2009 saw Abdul exit from American Idol following stalled contract talks. Reports indicated she was seeking up to $20 million per season—significantly higher than her prior $5 million salary. She confirmed she would not return for season nine and was succeeded by Ellen DeGeneres. Abdul emphasized that her departure was motivated by principle rather than financial considerations.
2010–2015: Engagements with Live to Dance, The X Factor, and So You Think You Can Dance
In January 2010, Abdul honored choreographer Julie McDonald with a Lifetime Achievement Award during The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball’s 11th Anniversary event. Later that year in November, she co-launched AuditionBooth.com, an online platform designed to connect emerging performers with casting agents, producers, and managers.
By January 2011, Abdul appeared as both judge and executive producer on CBS's reality dance competition Live to Dance. She described this program more as a "celebration" of dance rather than a strict contest. After airing seven episodes during its first season, CBS canceled the show. In May 2011, she reunited with Simon Cowell as a judge on the inaugural American edition of The X Factor. However, in January 2012 she announced her decision not to return for season two; Britney Spears replaced her position. Later in October 2012, Abdul served as a guest judge during the All-Stars season of Dancing with the Stars. In April 2013, she appeared on the Top 5 results episode of season twelve of American Idol to commend contestant Candice Glover.
On July 9, 2013, Abdul was invited as a guest judge for season ten of So You Think You Can Dance. Subsequently in October that year, she joined the judging panel of So You Think You Can Dance Australia, which aired from February through May 2014. She then became a permanent judge on the American version starting with its twelfth season but announced in January 2017 that due to touring obligations she would not participate in season fourteen.
In April 2014, Abdul made a guest judging appearance on an episode ("Queens of Talk") of RuPaul's Drag Race, reuniting with former contestant Adore Delano from her time on Idol. Two months later in June, she made a cameo appearance on the Australian soap opera Neighbours, sharing scenes with character Karl Kennedy. In 2015, she guest-starred in the fourth-season premiere of the comedy series Real Husbands of Hollywood.
On November 16, 2015, Abdul along with Charles "Chucky" Klapow, Renee Richie, and Nakul Dev Mahajan received the World Choreography Award for Outstanding Choreography Digital Format for their work on 'Check Yourself'. Shortly after, on November 22 at the 43rd American Music Awards, Abdul and Donnie Wahlberg presented the Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock award; notably Wahlberg had previously presented this same award to her back in 1990.
2016–present: Resurgence in live performances and Las Vegas engagement
On August 6, 2016, Abdul made her first full headline appearance in over two decades at the Mixtape Festival held in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Later that year, in November, New Kids on the Block revealed that Abdul would join their 2017 Total Package Tour alongside Boyz II Men, marking her first concert tour in 25 years. The tour spanned from May 12 in Columbus, Ohio to July 16, 2017, in Hollywood, Florida, encompassing a total of 47 performances. Abdul attributed her comeback to a desire to reconnect with her audience and a revitalized enthusiasm for live shows.
In July 2018, she announced her own solo headline tour across North America titled Straight Up Paula!, commemorating the 30th anniversary of her debut album Forever Your Girl. This tour commenced on October 18 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and wrapped up on June 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California, featuring 25 concerts.
Abdul delivered a medley of her classic hits as the closing act of the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. On May 1, 2019, she launched her inaugural Las Vegas residency, Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl, which began on August 13 and included 20 shows running through January 2020. Additionally, she was the opening performer at Los Angeles Pride on June 7, 2019.
Her appearances continued with a performance on the finale of America's Got Talent season fourteen and a role as a panelist on Fox’s competition show The Masked Dancer in October 2020. In April 2021, Abdul returned as a guest judge on American Idol during Luke Bryan’s COVID-19 absence and later served as guest judge for Music Video Night on season 32 of Dancing with the Stars.
In 2023, Abdul expanded her creative pursuits by joining the producing team for the Broadway production How to Dance in Ohio. She also participated as a contestant on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. Looking ahead to 2024, she is set to co-headline The Magic Summer Tour, although her planned Straight Up! to Canada Tour scheduled for September 2024 was cancelled.
On March 2, 2025, Abdul served as a panel judge during the initial round of the tenth season of Let's Dance, Slovakia’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, broadcast live from Incheba in Bratislava.
Relationships
Abdul wed actor Emilio Estevez in 1992 but filed for divorce two years later in 1994. She later explained that differing views regarding having children contributed to their separation. In 1996, she married clothing designer Brad Beckerman; however, their marriage ended after just 17 months in divorce proceedings citing irreconcilable differences.
Beliefs
Abdul practices Judaism devoutly and takes pride in her heritage rooted in Syrian Jewish and Canadian Jewish backgrounds. She fulfilled a longtime aspiration by visiting Israel, where she celebrated her bat mitzvah at the International Center for Tzfat Kabbalah in 2013. Reports from 2003 indicated that she engaged in Transcendental Meditation.
A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Abdul has promoted awareness during National Guide Dog Month in 2009 and collaborated with Dick Van Patten to support guide dog independence for people with visual impairments. She also consciously avoids wearing real fur products.
Health
Abdul asserted that she sustained severe injuries in a 1992 airplane accident in Iowa during her Under My Spell Tour, which allegedly required her to undergo fifteen cervical spinal surgeries. Nevertheless, the veracity of this statement has been challenged, as the National Transportation Safety Board has no documented record of such an event. In 2020, Abdul mentioned that seven additional passengers were involved, although none have publicly verified the incident, and she claimed they were bound by non-disclosure agreements.
In 1994, Abdul sought help for bulimia nervosa, a condition that began in her adolescent years and intensified following her rise to pop fame. She linked the disorder to early struggles with body image and anxiety, using eating as a form of emotional coping.
By 2005, Abdul disclosed she had been diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), a neurological condition characterized by persistent pain, which she attributed to a "cheerleading accident" at age 17. This revelation came amid accusations related to substance use.
In April 2006, Abdul reported an assault to Hollywood police after being grabbed and thrown against a wall at a private gathering, resulting in a concussion and spinal injuries.
Drug Use Allegations
Claims regarding substance misuse surfaced following Abdul's reportedly "erratic behavior" on American Idol. In April 2005, she explained these concerns by referencing her RSD diagnosis and noted that anti-inflammatory treatment had alleviated her pain. In January 2007, videos emerged showing her swaying and speaking unclearly during interviews; her spokesperson attributed this to exhaustion and technical difficulties. The Bravo series Hey Paula revealed that Abdul was struggling with insomnia and sleep deprivation. In February 2007, she firmly denied any involvement with drugs or alcohol, labeling the accusations as "falsehoods".
In May 2009, Ladies' Home Journal reported that Abdul had spent three days at La Costa Resort and Spa addressing physical dependence on prescription painkillers prescribed for injuries related to RSD. She recounted experiencing withdrawal symptoms and occasional behavioral shifts caused by these medications. Subsequently, during a Detroit radio interview, Abdul refuted claims of entering rehabilitation or having substance abuse issues, disputing the article’s accuracy.
2004 Automobile Incident
In December 2004, Abdul was involved in a hit-and-run event on a freeway in Los Angeles while driving her Mercedes-Benz. She changed lanes, collided with another vehicle, and failed to stop or provide assistance. The other driver captured the incident through photographs and recorded the license plate number, which led authorities to Abdul. In March 2005, she entered a plea of nolo contendere for misdemeanor hit-and-run charges and was fined US$900, placed on informal probation for 24 months, and ordered to pay US$775 in restitution for damages.
Corey Clark's 2005 Allegations
In May 2005, ABC's Primetime Live broadcast accusations from season 2 American Idol contestant Corey Clark, who alleged an affair with Abdul and claimed she provided coaching during the competition. Clark’s timing was questioned as he was promoting a CD release and pursuing a book deal; however, he maintained that his career suffered due to the relationship and spoke out to defend his reputation.
Abdul mostly refrained from commenting publicly. Simon Cowell supported her by dismissing Clark’s statements as publicity tactics connected to his music promotion. Abdul addressed the controversy with humor during a Saturday Night Live sketch. By August 2005, Fox announced Abdul’s return to American Idol after an investigation found no evidence that her interactions with Clark influenced his performance outcomes.
2008 stalking incident
On November 11, 2008, Paula Goodspeed, aged 30, was discovered deceased inside her vehicle parked near Abdul's residence in Sherman Oaks, California. Authorities determined the cause of death as a suicide by overdose of prescription medication; surrounding her were various prescription drugs, photographs, and CDs featuring Abdul. Goodspeed was known for her intense admiration, having legally adopted the name Paula, sent floral gifts to Abdul, and auditioned for the fifth season of American Idol in 2005 before being eliminated. Despite media reports branding her a celebrity stalker, her family members contested this characterization.
2023 sexual assault lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe
On December 29, 2023, Abdul initiated legal action alleging sexual assault by producer Nigel Lythgoe during their collaboration on American Idol in the early 2000s. Lythgoe refuted these claims. By December 2024, it was announced that the dispute had been resolved. Abdul conveyed her appreciation that this matter has been concluded and expressed optimism that her experience will empower other women encountering similar circumstances.
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) (alongside 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)
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Junior High School | Sherry | |
| 1983 | Private School | Cheerleader | |
| 1986 | A Smoky Mountain Christmas | Choreographer | TV movie |
| 1987 | Can't Buy Me Love | Dancer | |
| 1991 | L.A. Story | Roller Skater | |
| 1997 | Touched By Evil | Ellen Collier | TV movie |
| 1998 | The Waiting Game | Amy Fuentes | TV movie |
| 1999 | Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story | Denise Walton | TV movie |
| 2002 | The Master of Disguise | Choreographer | |
| 2005 | Robots | Watch (voice) | |
| Romy and Michele: In the Beginning | Herself | TV movie | |
| 2009 | Brüno | Herself | |
| 2018 | A Sister's Secret | Detective Tupper | TV movie |
| 2020 | Impractical Jokers: The Movie | Herself | |
| 2022 | Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers | Herself |
Television
rowspan=3 | 2004 rowspan=9 | 2005'’ rowspan=2 | 2007 -Hey Paula - Herself - Main Cast -The Friday Night Project - Herself/Guest Host - Episode: "5.6" rowspan=3 | 2008 - RAH! Paula Abdul's Cheerleading Bowl - Herself/Host - Main Host -Hollywood Residential - Herself - Episode: "The Hotness" -" Hotel Babylon -" -" Herself -" Episode: "3.1"| Year | Title | Role | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1988 | Soul Train | Herself | Episode: "New Edition/Paula Abdul" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Showtime at the Apollo | Herself | Episodes: "2.5" & "2.12" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1989 | The Tracey Ullman Show | Herself | Episode: "3.18" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990 | Going Live! | Herself | Episode: "3.30" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995 | Fully Booked | Herself | Episode: "1.8" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996 | Muppets Tonight | Herself | Episode: "Paula Abdul" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cybill | Herself | Episode: "Lowenstein's Lament" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Single Guy | Herself | Episode: "Affair" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998 | Saturday Night Live | Herself | Episode: "David Duchovny/Puff Daddy/Jimmy Page" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spin City | Herself | Episode: "It Happened One Night" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | The Wayans Bros. | Sasha | Episode: "Dream Girl" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All That | Herself | 100th Episode Special | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chicken Soup for the Soul | Herself | Multiple episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | Herself | Episode: "Aging, Not So Gracefully" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Mad TV | Herself | Episode: "8.1" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hollywood Squares | Herself/Panelist | Recurring Guest Appearance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| American Idol | Herself/Judge | Main Judge Seasons 1–8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway | Herself | Episode: "2.3" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–06 | E! True Hollywood Story | Herself | Recurring Guest Appearances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Driven'’ |
Herself'’ |
Episode: "Paula Abdul"’' |
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Herself'’ |
Episode: "That Old Mac Magic"’' |
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Host'’ |
Episode: "The Road to Audition"’' |
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Your Total Health'’ |
Herself'’ |
Episode: "2.2"’' |
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Fashion in Focus'’ |
Herself'’ |
Episode: "Big Money Under the Tents"’' |
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Biography '’ |
Herself'’ |
Episode: "Paula Abdul"’' |
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Dateline NBC '’ |
Herself'’ |
Episode: "13.36"’' |
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All of Us '’ |
Herself'’ |
Episode: "Hollywood Swinging"’' |
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Herself'’ |
Episode: "Johnny Knoxville/System of a Down"’' |
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Herself'’ |
Series Finale Appearance’' |
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Herself'’ |
10 episodes |
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Kathleen |
Episode: "Distractions" |
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2005–07 |
Family Guy '’ |
Herself (voice) |
Guest Season 4, Recurring Season 6 |
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2006 - The X Factor - Herself - Recurring Guest Season 3 |
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-|" rowspan=4 |"2009" |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
" InFANity" | Herself | Episode: "American Idol" | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | " Howie Do It" | Herself | Episode: "1.5" | - | " E! Investigates" | Herself | Episode: "Stalkers" | - | " VH1 Divas" | Herself/Host | Main Host | - | " 2009–2011" | Drop Dead Diva | Herself | Recurring Cast Seasons 1–3 | - | "2010" | American Idol | Herself | Guest Season 9 Finale | - | 2011 | Live to Dance | Herself/Judge | Main Judge | - | " The X Factor" | Herself/Judge | Main Judge Season 1 | - | 2012 | I Will Survive | Herself | Episode: 1.14 | - | " Dancing with the Stars" | "" | Season 15, Opponents' Choice Week episode | - | "2013" | American Idol | Herself | Guest Season 12 | - | "2013–2014" | RuPaul's Drag Race | "" | Seasons 5 & 6 appearances | - | "2013–2016" | So You Think You Can Dance | Herself/Judge | Guest Judge Season 10; Main Judge Seasons 12–13 | - | 2014 | So You Think You Can Dance Australia | Herself/Judge | Main Judge Season 4 | - | " Neighbours" | Herself | Episode: 1.6910 | - | 2015 | Real Husbands of Hollywood | Herself | Episode: Suck My Trick | - | " Strictly Come Dancing" |
"Herself"|| Week Four episode|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|| "-"|} Choreography
Awards and nominations
See also
External links |
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- Paula Abdul
- 1962 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American actresses
- 20th-century American singers
- 20th-century American women singers
- 21st-century American actresses
- 21st-century American women singers
- 21st-century American singers
- Actresses from Los Angeles County, California
- American cheerleaders
- American choreographers
- American contemporary R&B singers
- American female dancers
- American women pop singers
- American film actresses
- American Idol participants
- American music journalists
- American people of Syrian descent
- American people of Syrian-Jewish descent
- Syrian Jews
- American tap dancers
- American television actresses
- American voice actresses
- American women choreographers
- American women television producers
- California State University, Northridge alumni
- Concord Records artists
- American dance-pop musicians
- Dancers from California
- Grammy Award winners
- Jewish American actresses
- Jewish American musicians
- Jewish dancers
- Jewish women singers
- NBA cheerleaders
- People from San Fernando, California
- Primetime Emmy Award winners
- Singers from California
- Television producers from California
- Van Nuys High School alumni
- Virgin Records artists
- American women writers about music
- Judges in American reality television series
- American people of Canadian descent