American singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality
Paula Julie Abdul (born June 19, 1962) is an American singer, 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 seven 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 second album Spellbound (1991) scored her two more Billboard Hot 100 chart toppers: "Rush Rush" and "The Promise of a New Day". Her six number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 tie her with Ariana Grande and 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, So You Think You Can Dance, and The Masked Dancer. She has received choreography credits in numerous 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 has received 17 MTV Video Music Award nominations, winning five, 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 was honored with her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and is the first entertainer to be honored with the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards' Hall of Fame Award.
PassionIf you lead with passion anything is possible!
FearYou end up becoming who you are by jumping into that circle of fear - that's how it's done.
BeautyI believe inner beauty is beauty in its truest form. When we nurture ourselves, it brings an inevitable, positive transformation.
I am in Toronto, shooting a movie for NBC.
The producers felt that 24 would be good for the audience, to really get to know who these 12 and 12 are.
I’ve never been drunk in my life. I don’t use recreational drugs.
For all of those willing to help me start a family, I am flattered. I will let you know when I need your help.
Idol has pretty much taken me out of my recording and out of my choreography. I have managed to slip in some choreography jobs. And I've been writing songs for other artists.
You're the kiss that puts my soul at ease.
Simon drives me crazy. We are still arguing.
Virgin Records will probably release their own package sometime next year.
There is love there. And then there's times when I can't even stomach Simon. You don't have to sit next to him. That's all I have to say.
Simon would not want to audition in front of Simon.
There are many talented people.
I love doing what I do. I'm a born mentor. I've launched so many people's careers. I worked hard.
I had my first kiss under a tree near the school. It was with a boy named Michael who rarely spoke, but he would sometimes give me one of the cookies from his lunch. Maybe it was the gifts that made me feel special? I don't know, but when our lips touched, it felt magical.
I dance because I have to, because I'm so passionate about it.
I think a duet with Janet is a great idea.
I'm grateful this ordeal is over, and I'm so looking forward to getting back to the job I love.
I signed on with Disney to star and choreograph an original film.
I'm working toward a CD that will have all of you dancing like crazy.
If they're singing about heartbreak, they've lived it.
My job, I think, is the hardest job out of all the judges because I am the only one that is a performer.
Any types of auditions will be posted in trade magazines.
My choreography suits men very well, and the women who can do it are damn hard, strong dancers.
'American Idol' has taken over my whole life.
The more auditions you go on, the more you will learn not to take it personally.
If I decide to tour, I definitely would come to Washington, D.C. We'll see.
I can't wait to be back on the dance floor. I feel really good about it.
Every day in the news we're hearing how rampant violence is in our communities, both here in America and around the world. I believe that the establishement of a United States Department of Peace can greatly help alleviate the many problems that we hear about on a daily basis. Our children deserve so much better. It is our job right here and now to build a better world. By establishing a US Department of Peace we are doing just that. Please get involved ... It's up to us to be the change that we wish for and the time is now to co-create it.
Beyond being Jewish, I've always found myself to be very much in tune with spirituality.
Constructive criticism is about finding something good and positive to soften the blow to the real critique of what really went on.
I have been working up until recently with Neil Simon, who has been adapting the character to me.
Everything is always a little surreal.
America fell in love with the innocence of a kid who just was honest, saying, I did the best I could, and I had no formal training.
I feel blessed to have as many comebacks as I can.
There are three things I commit to on a daily basis: Exercising for an hour a day, tops. Never skipping meals. And accepting the size and shape I was born with.
Not only do I never lie, I never respond to lies, no matter how vicious, no matter how hurtful.
The cool part of being an entertainer is getting the opportunity to get your feet wet in all areas.
I got a call to come in and meet Fox, and the rest is history.
I welcome him like I welcome cold sores. He's from England, he's angry and he's got Mad Power Disease.
I love getting nervous, because it's also a form of excitement and it makes me feel alive, you know? I like that feeling. I've always liked that feeling. People who don't get nervous before they perform are no fun.
All my life I have been taught to take the high road and never to dignify salacious or false accusations and I have been taught never, never to lie.
When you go to meetings or auditions and you fail to prepare, prepare to fail. It is simple but true.
Life truly is precious. Gather every moment of it into your arms & embrace it.
The steeper the mountain the harder the climb the better the view from the finish line ;)
I will never forget my humble beginnings as a Laker Girl. It was probably one of the most fun jobs I ever had.
So time over time what will change the world, no one knows? The only promise is a day to live, to give and share with one another. See the wisdom from mistakes in our past; the promise of a new day.
I stand on principle where many people stand on money.
Can you imagine Simon as a kid? His imaginary friends probably never wanted to play with him.
You could sing us the phone book and we would still love you.
It is my job to make sure that these kids who are talented get every chance they can and not to be passed over; this is life or death for them.
Everyone is your best friend when you are successful. Make sure that the people that you surround yourself with are also the people that you are not afraid of failing with.
Your talent is your art. It is not to be taken for granted.
When people expect me to go right, I'll go left. I'm unpredictable.
Find fitness with fun dancing. It is fun and makes you forget about the dreaded exercise.
When you wish upon a star, you just might become one.
Keep the faith, don't lose your perseverance and always trust your gut extinct.
True genius does not fulfill expectations; true genius shatters it.
I'm tired of people not treating me like the gift that I am.
All you can do is the best you can do.
Break the rules, stand apart, ignore your head, and follow your heart.