Paula Abdul
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Paula Abdul (born June 19, 1962) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality. She began her career as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers at the age of 18 and later became the head choreographer for the Laker Girls, where she was discovered by The Jacksons. After choreographing music videos for Janet Jackson, Abdul became a choreographer at the height of the music video era and soon thereafter she was signed to Virgin Records. Her debut studio album Forever Your Girl (1988) became one of the most successful debut albums at that time, selling 7 million copies in the United States and setting a record for the most number-one singles from a debut album on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: "Straight Up", "Forever Your Girl", "Cold Hearted", and "Opposites Attract". Her six number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 tie her with Diana Ross for seventh among the female solo performers who have topped the chart. Abdul was one of the original judges on the television series American Idol from 2002 to 2009, and has since appeared as a judge on The X Factor, Live to Dance, and So You Think You Can Dance. She has received five MTV Video Music Award nominations, winning twice, as well as receiving the Grammy Award for Best Music Video for "Opposites Attract" in 1991. She received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography twice for her work on The Tracey Ullman Show, and her own performance at the American Music Awards in 1990. Abdul is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Known for
ActingBirthday
June 19, 1962Gender
FemaleKnown Movie Credits
46Place of birth
San Fernando, California, USAAlso known as
Paula Julie Abdul![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/pvkOLklbgffugxEXRbSl4DynDxC.jpg)
Cast credits
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/fnKCh67l2DDG9NxxIlk9IpsXQ99.jpg)
Robots
Watch (voice)![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/m1xkpfLh6xbCYw0nVjhFN7qAb7h.jpg)
Sesame Street: Zoe's Dance Moves
Herself![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/yojTYQI7hTWXgtSx5uFdIdKyQT7.jpg)
Singin' in the Rain: Raining on a New Generation
Self![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/gvSiFJScOQb5Jer0sZqoynUuvi4.jpg)
The Waiting Game
Amy Fuentes![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/u78t56yghgd4v1ieNBrEbQbLF2F.jpg)
Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS and You
Self![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/5Y5SsCGRutmxw2SCq7gAII3NRbl.jpg)
Barbie Dance Club
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/lU4iK1qFpJPyWMNxaO1XOldHIRI.jpg)
Private School
Cheerleader (uncredited)![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/a5NF7YEbYR2W9bqcnDFHLLMrEL4.jpg)
American Idol: The Worst of Seasons 1-4
Herself - Judge![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/nuP4Ym7vFRj40doQZWwnrsbiCbX.jpg)
The Master of Disguise
Choreographer (uncredited)![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/u9v1cJGpKhyxwCWXK5YlttF4SM7.jpg)
Paula Abdul Cardio Dance
herself![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/neCxiyd23UcJHwoy390DgWPOQcR.jpg)
A Sister's Secret
Detective Tucker![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/wcUc7TYtsb72dHVb51sYaGIvQsr.jpg)
Brüno
Self - American Idol Judge![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/ijVLbRHu6xjYeCuXOhVogYCTHB5.jpg)
Touched By Evil
Ellen Collier![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/2n6CB6BUJC336aWqn1oBiEcw50h.jpg)
Romy and Michele: In the Beginning
Herself![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/aIUhUhg4Bb1kxJP4EMfrzMmVcAs.jpg)
Paula Abdul's Get Up & Dance
Herself![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/hT7sATh60MsEHAWhiuR6seKQQFM.jpg)
Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens
Self (archive footage)![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/2G6cUsnYZ7eM4A4avhvUHBKjOEb.jpg)
Junior High School
Sherry![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/kTHzM6pPIjs4LHX33thyZpnKiOP.jpg)
Impractical Jokers: The Movie
Paula Abdul![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/lTRYr0QDu0rg2b3xKXIdZCVgCJq.jpg)
Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story
Self![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/2tdJabJMbMTOPr0VOIW2KCE3ghM.jpg)
Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: A Schitt's Creek Farewell
Self![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/uHCkUHe63HUkWPmUmJ0kPmOQchJ.jpg)
Can't Buy Me Love
Dancer (uncredited)Crew credits
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/6mvFFYCizBfjsem5RvIkKUYeQQk.jpg)
War Dancing - Dance to Win
Choreographer![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/aSId7LLral6TWDuLTCryAigbXbS.jpg)
A Smoky Mountain Christmas
Choreographer![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/wby9315QzVKdW9BonAefg8jGTTb.jpg)
American Beauty
Choreographer![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/djRAvxyvvN2yqlJKDbT3uy4vOBw.jpg)
Coming to America
Choreographer![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/GTAUOhO4BN0peJVvxGEQydJvUO.jpg)
The Running Man
Choreographer![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/zE58VthFwD9vKy1vEDnSYR6loqm.jpg)
The Karate Kid Part III
Choreographer![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/pVxwVH461k9u4tUfRewT29DEZ2e.jpg)
Black Knight
Choreographer![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/otVZfkQt1OUDUxUK17ViWKhrUfH.jpg)
1660 Vine
Choreographer![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/wTQ4FIz8D0YsSSpcgGjR6EWFvhs.jpg)
She's Out of Control
Choreographer![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/uHCkUHe63HUkWPmUmJ0kPmOQchJ.jpg)
Can't Buy Me Love
Choreographer