The Laker Girls cheerleading squad hired an eighteen-year-old Paula Abdul in 1980 after she outperformed hundreds of other candidates. This initial position within the Los Angeles Lakers organization launched a career that transitioned from athletic performance to professional choreography, eventually placing her at the center of the music video industry and the Billboard charts during the late 1980s.
Early Development and Choreography
Born in 1962 in San Fernando, California, Abdul studied ballet, jazz, and tap as a child. She attended Van Nuys High School, where she participated as a cheerleader. Following her graduation in 1980, she enrolled at California State University, Northridge to study broadcasting. While working as head choreographer for the Laker Girls, she gained the attention of members of the Jacksons. This led to her choreographing the music video for their song 'Torture'. She subsequently choreographed videos for Janet Jackson, including 'Control' and 'Nasty', and served as choreographer for the Jacksons' Victory tour.
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In 1987, Abdul financed a singing demo that led to a contract with Virgin Records America. Her debut studio album, 'Forever Your Girl', released in 1988, achieved multi-platinum status and sold seven million copies in the United States. It established a record for the highest number of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles from a debut album, featuring 'Straight Up', 'Forever Your Girl', 'Cold Hearted', and 'Opposites Attract'. She followed this success with her 1991 album 'Spellbound', which included the number-one singles 'Rush Rush' and 'The Promise of a New Day'.
Film and Television Contributions
Abdul has maintained a career in film and television, working as a choreographer on productions such as 'Can't Buy Me Love', 'The Running Man', 'Coming to America', 'Action Jackson', 'The Doors', 'Jerry Maguire', and 'American Beauty'. Her work on 'The Tracey Ullman Show' and her own American Music Awards performance earned her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography. In 2002, she began an eight-year tenure as a judge on the television series 'American Idol', followed by roles on programs including 'The X Factor', 'So You Think You Can Dance', and 'The Masked Dancer'.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, San Fernando, California
- Education: Van Nuys High School; California State University, Northridge
- Career Start: Laker Girls head choreographer
- Grammy Awards: Best Music Video for 'Opposites Attract' (1991)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame: Star awarded in 1991
- Professional Fields: Actor, singer, composer, choreographer, television producer
Questions readers ask
What record did Paula Abdul set with her debut album?
She set a record for the most U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles produced by a single debut album.
What is Paula Abdul's educational background?
She graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1980 and studied broadcasting at California State University, Northridge.
Achievements
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
- Worked as actor, singer and ballet dancer
