Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Paula Julie Abdul |
| Date of Birth | June 19, 1962 (age 61) |
| Place of Birth | San Fernando, California, U.S. |
| Alma Mater | California State University, Northridge |
| Occupations | Singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, television personality |
| Years Active | 1978–present |
| Spouses | – Emilio Estevez (m. 1992; div. 1994) |
| – Brad Beckerman (m. 1996; div. 1998) | |
| Genres | R&B, pop, dance, new jack swing |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Net Worth | $20 Million |
| Labels | Virgin, Captive, Mercury, Concord, Filament |
| Website | paulaabdul.com |
| Career Highlights | – Head choreographer for the Laker Girls |
| – Choreographed music videos for Janet Jackson | |
| – Debut album “Forever Your Girl” sold seven million copies in the U.S. | |
| – Set record for most number-one singles from a debut album on Billboard Hot 100 | |
| – Two number-one singles on Billboard Hot 100 from her second album “Spellbound” | |
| – Tied with Diana Ross for third-most chart-toppers among female solo artists at the time | |
| – Original judge on American Idol from 2002 to 2009 | |
| – Received five MTV Video Music Awards | |
| – Grammy Award for Best Music Video for “Opposites Attract” | |
| – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography twice | |
| – Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame | |
| – First entertainer to be honored with Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Hall of Fame Award | |
| Early Life | – Born in San Fernando, California |
| – Father of Syrian Jewish heritage, born in Aleppo, Syria, raised in Brazil | |
| – Mother, a concert pianist of Jewish heritage, from Minnedosa, Manitoba | |
| – Inspired toward show business career by Gene Kelly in “Singin’ in the Rain” | |
| – Started dance lessons in ballet, jazz, and tap at an early age | |
| – Attended Van Nuys High School, where she was a cheerleader and honor student | |
| – Selected for the cheerleading squad of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball team at 15 | |
| – Became head choreographer of the Laker Girls within a year | |
| – Studied broadcasting at California State University, Northridge |
Paula Abdul TV Shows
| TV Show | Years |
|---|---|
| American Idol | Since 2002 |
| Paula Abdul: Cold Hearted | Since 1988 |
| So You Think You Can Dance | Since 2005 |
| The X Factor (U.S.) | 2011 – 2013 |
| Paula Abdul: Rush, Rush | Since 1991 |
| The Masked Dancer | 2020 – 2021 |
| Live to Dance | 2011 |
| Janet Jackson | 2022 |
| Drop Dead Diva | 2009 – 2014 |
| Hey Paula | 2007 |
| So You Think You Can Dance Australia | 2008 – 2010 |
| Paula Abdul: Crazy Cool | Since 1995 |
| Billboard Music Awards | Since 2019 |
| Paula Abdul: Straight Up | Since 1988 |
| Sabrina the Teenage Witch | 1996 – 2003 |
| New Jack Swing | Since 2019 |
| Entertainment Tonight | Since 1981 |
| The Muppets Mayhem | 2023 |
| Made for Love | 2021 – 2022 |
| Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life | 2016 |
| Good Day Live | 2001 – 2005 |
| American Idol Rewind | 2006 – 2010 |
| I Love the ’80s 3-D | 2005 |
| The 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards | Since 2016 |
| Paula Abdul: Vibeology | Since 1992 |
| The World Dog Awards | Since 2016 |
| ’80s Women | Since 2019 |
| Paula Abdul: Opposites Attract | Since 1988 |
| The 91st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade | Since 2023 |
| American Idol 2008 | Since 2009 |
| Harlequin: The Waiting Game | Since 2001 |
| Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl | Since 1988 |
| Paula Abdul: Knocked Out | Since 1988 |
| Awesome ’80s | Since 2018 |
| The X Factor Digital Experience | 2011 |
| Paula Abdul feat. The Wild Pair: Opposites Attract | Since 2007 |
| Paula Abdul: Will You Marry Me? | Since 1992 |
| American Idol: Stars Live at the Paley Center | Since 2010 |
| Paula Abdul’s Birthday Beats | Since 2021 |
| Paula Abdul: The Promise of a New Day | Since 2007 |
| Paula Abdul’s Get Up and Dance | Since 2012 |
| Paula Abdul: Blowing Kisses in the Wind | Since 1992 |
| 100 Greatest Dance Songs of Rock & Roll | Since 2000 |
| La fièvre de la danse junior | Since 2017 |
| Star Coach | Since 2014 |
| Randy Jackson Feat. Paula Abdul: Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow (Paul Oakenfold Remix) | Since 2008 |
| Paula Abdul Feat. Randy Jackson: Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow | Since 2008 |
| The All-Star Dog Rescue Celebration | Since 2015 |
| Paula Abdul: My Love is for Real | Since 1995 |
