Paula Abdul

Artist Image: Paula Abdul
Attribution
Image Credit: Alison Martin (Paula Abdul), CC BY-SA 2.0

Biography

Paula Julie 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 before rising to prominence in the 1980s as a highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era. Abdul later scored a string of pop music hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Her six number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 tie her with Diana Ross for sixth among the female solo performers who have topped the chart. She won a Grammy for "Best Music Video – Short Form" for "Opposites Attract" and twice won the "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography".

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1962
Number of Albums 15
Record Label Virgin
Website
Wikipedia Paula Abdul on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

What was the name of Paula's first album?

Forever Your Girl

...Paula became a worldwide singing sensation with her first album Forever Your Girl , followed by an astonishing six number 1 singles. And, only until a ...
How many number 1 singles did Paula have?

six

...sation with her first album Forever Your Girl, followed by an astonishing six number 1 singles. And, only until a few months ago, after being bumped t...
Who bumped Paula to number 3?

Adele

...les. And, only until a few months ago, after being bumped to number 3 by Adele , Paulas Forever Your Girl reigned as the second longest charting album ...
How many MTV Video Awards has Paula won?

seven

...t charting album on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Paula has won a Grammy, seven MTV Video Awards, two Emmy Awards, two Peoples Choice awards, and sold ...
What is the signature program of the Presidents Committee on the Arts and Humanities?

Turnaround Arts

...y, but necessary, steps to seek help. Abdul has also partnered with Turnaround Arts , a signature program of the Presidents Committee on the Arts and H...
What city did Abdul adopt a school in?

Brooklyn, New York

...idents Committee on the Arts and Humanities, to adopt a school in Brooklyn, New York and to help foster arts education in impoverished schools across ...
What did Abdul help foster in impoverished schools across the nation?

arts education

...anities, to adopt a school in Brooklyn, New York and to help foster arts education in impoverished schools across the nation. In 2014, the Avon Founda...
When did the Avon Foundation for Women ask Abdul to become their Avon Global Ambassador?

2014

...help foster arts education in impoverished schools across the nation. In 2014 , the Avon Foundation for Women asked Abdul to become their Avon Global A...
How many media impressions did the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign generate?

half a billion

...produced, choreographed and starred in the campaign, which garnered half a billion media impressions around the world. Paula Abdul is also a Celebrity...
What is the name of the nonprofit organization that Paula Abdul is an advisor to?

Wigs & Wishes By Martino Cartier

...ld. Paula Abdul is also a Celebrity Sponsor and Advisor to Wigs & Wishes By Martino Cartier , a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing w...
In what year did Paula make an appearance on Lip Sync Battle?

2016

...g wigs and granting wishes to courageous individuals battling cancer. In 2016 Paula made an appearance on Lip Sync Battle with Jenna DewanTatum who re...
Who recreated Paulas Cold Heartd music video live on stage?

Jenna DewanTatum

...g cancer. In 2016 Paula made an appearance on Lip Sync Battle with Jenna DewanTatum who recreated Paulas Cold Hearted music video live on stage in fro...
What was the name of the band that Paula was on a tour with in 2017?

Boyz II Men

...e and millions of viewers. Paula Abdul went on a nationwide tour with Boyz II Men and The New Kids on the Block in 2017 performing her hit songs for m...
At what age did Abdul begin her career as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers?

18

...egan 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 wa...
What was Abdul's first job?

cheerleader

...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 s...
Who discovered Abdul?

The Jacksons

... head choreographer for the Laker Girls, where she was discovered by The Jacksons . After choreographing music videos for Janet Jackson, Abdul became a...
How many MTV Video Music Award nominations did she receive?

17

...to Dance, So You Think You Can Dance, and The Masked Dancer. She received 17 MTV Video Music Award nominations, winning five, as well as receiving the...
What award did she win for Opposites Attract in 1991?

Grammy Award for Best Music Video

... Award nominations, winning five, as well as receiving the Grammy Award for Best Music Video for Opposites Attract in 1991. She received the Primetime...
How many Primetime Emmy Awards did she get for her Choreography?

twice

...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 ...
Where was Abdul born?

San Fernando, California

...he American Music Awards in 1990. Early life Abdul was born in San Fernando, California , to Jewish parents. Abdul's father, Harry Abdul, is of Syrian ...
What was Abdul's father's ethnicity?

Jewish

...ards in 1990. Early life Abdul was born in San Fernando, California, to Jewish parents. Abdul's father, Harry Abdul, is of Syrian Jewish heritage and ...
How many CanadianJewish families are there in Minnedosa?

two

...es. Her mother, Lorraine, was a concert pianist who grew up in one of the two CanadianJewish families in Minnedosa, Manitoba and has ancestors from Uk...
What year was Paula Abdul born?

1962

...Paula Abdul (born 19.6. 1962 ) Paula Abdul is an American singer, dancer, choreographer and TV talent show judge. Childhood: Paula Abdul was born to Lor...
What is Paula's mother's occupation?

concert pianist

...rry Abdul in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. Her mother was a concert pianist , who once worked as an assistant to Billy Wilder. Her father owned...
What did her father trade?

livestock

...o Billy Wilder. Her father owned a sand and gravel business and traded livestock . As a child, Paula Abdul was taken with the likes of Gene Kelly, Fred...
At what age did Abdul start dancing lessons?

eight

...re, Debbie Allen and Bob Fosse and started dancing lessons at the age of eight . Whilst studying at Van Nuys High School, Abdul was a cheerleader and a...
In what year did Abdul land a role in a lowbudget musical?

1978

...15, she earned herself a scholarship to a dance camp in Palm Springs. In 1978 , she landed a role in a lowbudget musical, Junior High School. Paula Abd...
What was the name of the lowbudget musical in which Paula Abdul landed a role?

Junior High School

... Palm Springs. In 1978, she landed a role in a lowbudget musical, Junior High School . Paula Abdul briefly studied broadcasting at the California State...
What did Abdul briefly study at the California State University?

broadcasting

...a lowbudget musical, Junior High School. Paula Abdul briefly studied broadcasting at the California State University. However, during her first year t...
Where did Abdul study broadcasting?

California State University

... High School. Paula Abdul briefly studied broadcasting at the California State University . However, during her first year there, she was selected to j...
What team did she play for?

Los Angeles Lakers

...She started her career as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team at the age of 18, and later became the head choreographer for the L...
How many copies did Forever Your Girl sell in the US?

7 million

...r Girl in 1988 became one of the most successful debut albums, selling 7 million copies in the US, and set a record for the most numberone singles fro...
What was her father's name?

Harry Abdul

...e was born in San Fernando, California to Jewish parents. Her father, Harry Abdul , was born in Aleppo, Syria, was raised in Brazil, and later moved to...
When did she celebrate her 58th birthday?

2020

..., Jerry Maguire and American Beauty. She celebrated her 58th birthday in 2020 . She was born in San Fernando, California to Jewish parents. Her father,...
In what province did Lorraine M Rykiss grow up?

Manitoba

...rt pianist Lorraine M Rykiss, grew up in Jewish families in Minnedosa, Manitoba , and has Ashkenazi Jewish ancestors from Ukraine. Paula also has a sis...
What is Paula's sister's name?

Wendy

...ine M Rykiss, grew up in Jewish families in Minnedosa, Manitoba, and has Ashkenazi Jewish ancestors from Ukraine. Paula also has a sister named Wendy ....
What year did she receive the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography?

1990

...acey Ullman Show and her own performance at the American Music Awards in 1990 . Childhood and youth Paula Julie Abdul was born in San Fernando, Califor...
Where did Harry Abdul grow up?

Brazil

...arry Abdul, was born into the Jewish community in Aleppo and grew up in Brazil . In his youth, he immigrated to the United States, where he first sold ...
In what country did he first sell livestock?

United States

... in Aleppo and grew up in Brazil. In his youth, he immigrated to the United States , where he first sold livestock, then became the owner of a sand and...
What is Billy Wilder known for?

Some Like It Hot and Irma la Douce

...tor and screenwriter of Billy Wilder, known for the films Some Like It Hot and Irma la Douce . The family broke up when the future star was small, and ...
When did Paula's family break up?

when the future star was small

...lms Some Like It Hot and Irma la Douce. The family broke up when the future star was small , and the mother raised Paula and her older sister Wendy alo...
Who raised Paula and her older sister alone?

Lorraine M. Rykiss

...e owner of a sand and gravel company. Her mother, concert pianist Lorraine M. Rykiss , was born in Canada and has Russian and Ukrainian ancestry. She w...
At what age did Abdul receive a scholarship to a dance camp near Palm Springs?

15

...formances of Gene Kelly in the musical Singin' In The Rain. At the age of 15 , Abdul received a scholarship to a dance camp near Palm Springs, and in 1...
In what decade did Abdul become a highly sought after choreographer?

1980s

...e Los Angeles Lakers at the age of 18 before rising to prominence in the 1980s as a highly soughtafter choreographer at the height of the music video ...
How many female solo performers have topped the chart?

seventh

...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. She won a ...
What award did she win for Best Music Video Short Form?

Grammy

...h among the female solo performers who have topped the chart. She won a Grammy for Best Music Video Short Form for Opposites Attract and twice won the...
What country does Abdul have Ashkenazi Jewish ancestors from?

Ukraine

...Jewish families in Minnedosa, Manitoba, and has Ashkenazi Jewish ancestors from Ukraine . Abdul holds dual citizenship in the United States and Canada....
What is Abdul's dual citizenship?

United States and Canada

...Jewish families in Minnedosa, Manitoba, and has Ashkenazi Jewish ancestors from Ukraine. Abdul holds dual citizenship in the United States and Canada ....
How many choreography projects has Paula Abdul been involved in?

37

... to be placed among them. Throughout her career, she has been involved in 37 choreography projects of movie, television, video, stage, and live tour. ...
How many awards has she collected as a singer?

11

..., television, video, stage, and live tour. As a singer, she has collected 11 awards with worldwide album sales reaching 40 million records. All of the...
When did Paula Julie Abdul learn jazz and tap dance?

when she was barely 8 years old

...ung age. Pursuing her dream, she learned jazz and tap dance when she was barely 8 years old . Her talent and skills were impressive so that she was rew...
What company did Joe Traime work for?

Bell Lewitzky Company

...a scholarship to develop her dancing ability under Joe Traime at Bell Lewitzky Company . Attending Van Nuys High School, she became a head cheerleader ...
At what school did she become a head cheerleader and senior class president?

Van Nuys High School

...ing ability under Joe Traime at Bell Lewitzky Company. Attending Van Nuys High School , she became a head cheerleader as well as senior class president...
At what university did she major in television and radio broadcasting?

California State University Northridge

.... She was graduated in 1980 then continued her study at California State University Northridge , majoring in TV and radio broadcasting. It was during t...
When did American Idol begin?

2002

... judge on American Idol, the televised singing competition that began in 2002 and kept Abdul in the spotlight throughout the decade. After working on ...
What was the name of the televised singing competition that Abdul was a judge on?

American Idol

...This success laid the groundwork for her second act as a judge on American Idol , the televised singing competition that began in 2002 and kept Abdul i...
When was Forever Your Girl released?

1988

...gan a recording career, releasing her debut album, Forever Your Girl, in 1988 . The first two singles drawn from the record Knocked Out and The Way Tha...
What two singles did not crack the Top 40?

Knocked Out and The Way That You Love Me

..., in 1988. The first two singles drawn from the record Knocked Out and The Way That You Love Me didn't crack the Top 40, but the release of Straight U...
What was the name of Abdul's third album?

Head Over Heels

... of 1991. After a threeyear hiatus, Abdul released her third album, Head Over Heels , in the summer of 1995. Abdul returned to music in 2000 as the coa...
When did Abdul release Head Over Heels?

1995

...iatus, Abdul released her third album, Head Over Heels, in the summer of 1995 . Abdul returned to music in 2000 as the coauthor of Spinning Around, a h...
What year did Abdul return to music?

2000

...lbum, Head Over Heels, in the summer of 1995. Abdul returned to music in 2000 as the coauthor of Spinning Around, a hit for Kylie Minogue. Abdul retur...
How many judges did Abdul become on American Idol in 2002?

three

...gue. Abdul returned to the spotlight in 2002, when she became one of the three judges on American Idol. Cast as the voice of positivity next to the so...
Who did Abdul reteam with for a season of the American version of The XFactor?

Simon Cowell

...s on American Idol. Cast as the voice of positivity next to the sour Simon Cowell and straight shooter Randy Jackson, Abdul's popularity surged. In 20...
What was the gateway to appearing on the Australian version of the show?

So You Think You Can Dance

...llStar Dancing with the Stars and, in 2013, she moved over to So You Think You Can Dance , which was the gateway to appearing on the Australian version...
What did she become after only a few months?

head cheerleaderchoreographer

...adio. After joining the L.A. Lakers cheerleaders, she became head cheerleaderchoreographer after only a few months, eventually dropping out of college...
Where was her mother born?

Canada

...movies she would choreograph. Her mother is also Jewish and was born in Canada . Her parents have lived in Syria, Brazil, and Canada and this varied ba...
What country did her parents live in?

Syria, Brazil, and Canada

... also Jewish and was born in Canada. Her parents have lived in Syria, Brazil, and Canada and this varied background has contributed to incredibly diff...