Paula Abdul is not only a talented singer but also a skilled dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality.
She received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, recognizing her contributions to American culture and society.
Abdul has worked with several major record labels, including Virgin Records and Mercury Records, throughout her career.
Biography
Early Life
Paula Julie Abdul was born in San Fernando, California, into a family with rich cultural roots. Her father, Harry Abdul, is of Syrian Jewish descent, while her mother, Lorraine Rykiss, was a concert pianist from Canada. Growing up, Paula was inspired by Gene Kelly's performance in "Singin' in the Rain" and began taking dance lessons in ballet, jazz, and tap at an early age. She attended Van Nuys High School, where she excelled as a cheerleader and an honor student. After graduating in 1980, she pursued broadcasting at California State University, Northridge, while also making a name for herself as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers, eventually becoming the head choreographer for the Laker Girls.
Career
Abdul's career took off when she was discovered by the Jacksons while performing at a Lakers game. This led to her choreographing music videos for Janet Jackson, including hits like "What Have You Done for Me Lately" and "Nasty." In 1987, she transitioned to music herself, signing with Virgin Records and releasing her debut album, "Forever Your Girl," which became a massive success. Over the years, she released several albums, including "Spellbound" and "Head Over Heels," and became known for her distinctive pop and R&B sound. Her contributions to music and dance earned her numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal Life
Abdul's personal life has been marked by her relationships and her commitment to her Jewish heritage. She was married to actor Emilio Estevez from 1992 to 1994 and later to clothing designer Brad Beckerman from 1996 to 1998. Abdul is proud of her Jewish roots and celebrated her bat mitzvah in Israel at the age of 51. Beyond her artistic endeavors, she is an advocate for guide dogs and has been involved in various charitable activities. Her journey reflects a blend of talent, cultural pride, and a passion for helping others.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Icon2013
- 1.Straight Up3:45
- 2.Forever Your Girl4:14
- 3.Cold Hearted3:36
- 4.Knocked Out3:32
- 5.(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me4:01
- 6.Opposites Attract3:46
- 7.Rush Rush4:20
- 8.The Promise of a New Day4:15
- 9.Blowing Kisses in the Wind4:17
- 10.Vibeology3:20
- 11.Will You Marry Me?4:25
Straight Up! The Very Best of Paula Abdul2012
- 1.Straight Up4:10
- 2.Forever Your Girl4:59
- 3.Blowing Kisses in the Wind4:43
- 4.Knocked Out3:53
- 5.My Love Is for Real (radio mix)5:21
- 6.Get Your Groove On4:03
- 7.Next to You4:27
- 8.The Way That You Love Me5:22
- 9.Vibeology (Hurley’s house 7″)3:39
- 10.Ain’t Never Gonna Give You Up3:54
- 11.Cold Hearted3:52
- 12.Rush, Rush4:17
- 13.One or the Other4:12
- 14.State of Attraction4:08
- 15.Bend Time Back ’Round3:56
- 16.Will You Marry Me4:26
- 17.Opposites Attract3:47
- 18.Spellbound4:49
- 19.My Love Is for Real (R&B remix)4:04
- 20.Didn’t I Say I Love You3:30
- 21.Crazy Cool4:03
- 22.The Choice Is Yours4:48
- 23.If I Were Your Girl3:54
- 24.It’s All About Feeling Good3:45
- 25.Crazy Love4:31
- 26.Love Don’t Come Easy4:06
- 27.The Promise of a New Day (East Coast remix)5:50
- 28.Forever Your Girl (Frankie Foncett mix)6:08
- 29.Knocked Out (Pettibone 12”)6:12
- 30.The Way That You Love Me (Houseafire edit)4:43
- 31.Opposites Attract (1990 mix)4:15
10 Great Songs2011
- 1.Straight Up3:51
- 2.Forever Your Girl4:15
- 3.Opposites Attract3:47
- 4.Rush, Rush4:20
- 5.The Promise of a New Day4:15
- 6.Cold Hearted3:37
- 7.The Way That You Love Me4:01
- 8.Knocked Out3:33
- 9.Blowing Kisses in the Wind4:18
- 10.Vibeology3:20
Greatest Hits: Straight Up!2007
- 1.Forever Your Girl4:14
- 2.Straight Up3:51
- 3.Cold Hearted (Edit)3:36
- 4.(It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me (Single Version)4:01
- 5.Knocked Out (Single Version)3:33
- 6.One or the Other4:12
- 7.Opposites Attract (7" Edit)3:48
- 8.Rush, Rush (Single Version)4:21
- 9.The Promise of a New Day (7" Edit)4:15
- 10.Blowing Kisses in the Wind (Edit)4:17
- 11.Vibeology3:20
- 12.Bend Time Back ’Round (Single Version)3:57
- 13.Will You Marry Me?4:26
- 14.My Love Is for Real (Radio Edit)4:24
- 15.Crazy Cool4:03
- 16.If I Were Your Girl3:54
- 17.Ain’t Never Gonna Give You Up (Radio Edit)3:30
- 18.It’s All About Feeling Good3:47
Greatest Hits2000
- 1.Straight Up3:52
- 2.Cold Hearted3:37
- 3.Forever Your Girl4:14
- 4.The Way That You Love Me4:01
- 5.Knocked Out3:32
- 6.Opposites Attract3:49
- 7.Bend Time Back 'round3:57
- 8.Rush, Rush4:21
- 9.The Promise of a New Day4:16
- 10.Blowing Kisses in the Wind4:18
- 11.Vibeology3:20
- 12.My Love Is for Real (R&B Remix)4:03
- 13.Crazy Cool4:02
- 14.If I Were Your Girl3:55
- 15.Megamix Medley9:24
- 16.Crazy Love4:30
The Greatest1998
- 1.The Way You Love Me5:24
- 2.Knocked Out3:54
- 3.Forever Your Girl4:59
- 4.Straight Up4:12
- 5.Opposites Attract4:25
- 6.The Promise of a New Day4:34
- 7.Blowing Kisses in the Wind4:43
- 8.Spellbound4:49
- 9.Vibeology5:15
- 10.Will You Marry Me4:26
- 11.Rush Rush4:54
- 12.My Love Is for Real5:21
- 13.Crazy Cool4:42
- 14.Ain’t Never Gonna Give You Up3:52
Head Over Heels1995
- 1.Crazy Cool4:43
- 2.My Love Is for Real5:21
- 3.Ain’t Never Gonna Give You Up3:54
- 4.Love Don’t Come Easy4:07
- 5.If I Were Your Girl3:55
- 6.Sexy Thoughts4:10
- 7.The Choice Is Yours4:48
- 8.Ho‐Down4:23
- 9.Under the Influence4:29
- 10.I Never Knew It4:28
- 11.Get Your Groove On4:03
- 12.Missing You3:54
- 13.It’s All About Feeling Good3:46
- 14.Cry for Me3:40
- 15.Crazy Love4:34
- 16.Highschool Crush4:36
The Singles1992
- 1.Vibeology (Keith Cohen’s House mix)7:53
- 2.Blowing Kisses in the Wind4:44
- 3.The Promise of a New Day (extended club mix)6:54
- 4.Rush Rush (dub mix)5:58
Spellbound1991
- 1.The Promise of a New Day4:32
- 2.Rock House4:11
- 3.Rush Rush4:53
- 4.Spellbound4:48
- 5.Vibeology5:16
- 6.U4:05
- 7.My Foolish Heart4:11
- 8.Blowing Kisses in the Wind4:42
- 9.To You3:31
- 10.Alright Tonight4:29
- 11.Will You Marry Me?4:23
Shut Up and Dance: The Dance Mixes1990
- 1.Cold Hearted (Quiverin’ 12”)5:13
- 2.Straight Up (Ultimix mix)6:55
- 3.One or the Other (1990 mix)6:43
- 4.Forever Your Girl (Frankie Foncett mix)6:07
- 5.Knocked Out (Pettibone 12”)6:11
- 6.The Way That You Love Me (Houseafire edit)4:43
- 7.Opposites Attract (1990 mix)6:48
- 8.1990 (medley mix)7:15
- 9.Knocked Out (Power mix)6:44
- 10.Opposites Attract (Shep’s Special mix)6:44
- 11.Forever Your Girl (Shep’s Special mix)6:27
- 12.Cold Hearted (Chad Jackson 12” remix)5:38
Forever Your Girl1988
- 1.The Way That You Love Me5:23
- 2.Knocked Out3:54
- 3.Opposites Attract4:25
- 4.State of Attraction4:09
- 5.I Need You5:03
- 6.Forever Your Girl5:00
- 7.Straight Up4:11
- 8.Next to You4:28
- 9.Cold Hearted3:51
- 10.One or the Other4:10
My Love Is for Real1995
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Will You Marry Me?1992
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Rush Rush1991
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Blowing Kisses in the Wind1991
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The Promise of a New Day1991
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Vibeology1991
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1990 Medley Mix1990
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Opposites Attract1989
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Show all 13
Cold Hearted1989
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(It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me1988
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Forever Your Girl1988
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Knocked Out1988
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Straight Up1988
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Cold Hearted2021
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Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Concord Records
- Record label
- Mercury Records
- Record label
- Virgin Records
Achievements
- Award
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
- Award
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Award
- Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Abdul, Paula, Paual Abdul, Paula Julie Abdul
American singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality
Paula Julie Abdul 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.
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Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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