Paula Abdul
Born: 1962-06-19 in San Fernando, California, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Paula 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 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 7 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 six 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. 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, and So You Think You Can Dance. She has received five MTV Video Music Award nominations, winning twice, 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 is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Filmography
2025
- Raging Midlife as Mary Todd
2023
- The Muppets Mayhem as Paula Abdul
- The Golden Bachelor as Self - Guest
2022
- The Jennifer Hudson Show
- Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers as 3-D Reporter / Paula Abdul
- 1660 Vine ... (Choreographer)
- JANET JACKSON. as Self
- 2022 American Rescue Dog Show as Self - Judge
2021
- Celebrity Wheel of Fortune as Self - Contestant
- Made for Love as Anydoors
- This Is Pop as Self (archive footage)
- Paris in Love as Self
2020
- Canada's Drag Race as Self - Guest Judge
- Impractical Jokers: Dinner Party as Herself
- Impractical Jokers: The Movie as Paula Abdul
- The Masked Dancer as Self - Panelist
- Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: A Schitt's Creek Farewell as Self
2019
- The Kelly Clarkson Show as Self
- A Little Late with Lilly Singh as Self
- The Movies That Made Us as Self
- RuPaul as Self
2018
- A Sister's Secret as Detective Tucker
- Howard as Self (archive footage)
2017
- The Nineties as Self (archive footage)
2015
- Fresh Off the Boat as Holly
- Lip Sync Battle as Self
2013
- The Arsenio Hall Show as Self
2012
2011
- Impractical Jokers
- Live to Dance
- The X Factor as Self - Judge
2009
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen as Self - Guest
- RuPaul's Drag Race as Self - Guest Judge
- Drop Dead Diva as Judge Paula
- The Jay Leno Show as Self
- Brüno as Self - American Idol Judge
- The Streamy Awards as Self - Presenter
- Waking Sleeping Beauty as Self (archive footage)
- VH1 Divas 2009 as Self - Host
- 2009 Game Show Awards as Self (archive footage)
- Family Guy Presents: Stewie Kills Lois and Lois Kills Stewie as Paula Abdul (voice)
2007
- Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens as Self (archive footage)
- Hey Paula
2005
- Dancing with the Stars as Self - Guest Judge
- Hell's Kitchen as Self - Restaurant Patron
- Robots as Watch (voice)
- The Reichen Show as Self - Guest
- So You Think You Can Dance
- Romy and Michele: In the Beginning as Herself
- American Idol: The Best of Seasons 1-4 as Self - Judge (archive footage)
- American Idol: The Worst of Seasons 1-4 as Self - Judge
- The Friday Night Project as Self - Host
2004
- The Tony Danza Show as Self
- On Air with Ryan Seacrest as Self
2003
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show as Self
- That's So Raven as The Host
- All of Us
- Celebrities Uncensored as Self
- Sesame Street: Zoe's Dance Moves as Self
2002
- American Idol as Self - Judge
- The Master of Disguise as Choreographer (uncredited)
- Less than Perfect as Kathleen
- Power Girls as Self (archive footage)
- American Idol: The Search For A Superstar as Judge
2001
- Good Day Live as Self
- The Bernie Mac Show as Paula Abdul
- Black Knight ... (Choreographer)
- The Waiting Game as Amy Fuentes
2000
- Paula Abdul Cardio Dance as Self
1999
- Family Guy as Paula Abdul (voice)
- American Beauty ... (Choreographer)
- The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as Self
- Mr. Rock n Roll: The Alan Freed Story as Denise Walton
1998
1997
- The View as Self
- Touched By Evil as Ellen Collier
1996
- The Daily Show as Self
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch as Paula Abdul
- Spin City as Paula Abdul
- Muppets Tonight as Self
- E! True Hollywood Story
1995
- Cybill
- The Wayans Bros. as Sasha
- The Single Guy as Paula Abdul
- Sinatra: 80 Years My Way as Self - Performer
1994
- All That as Self
- Paula Abdul's Get Up & Dance as Self
1993
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Self - Guest
- For Our Children as Self
1992
1991
- The Doors ... (Choreographer)
- L.A. Story as Roller Skater in Front of Tail O' the Pup (uncredited)
1989
- The Karate Kid Part III ... (Choreographer)
- War Dancing - Dance to Win ... (Choreographer)
- She's Out of Control ... (Choreographer)
- Barbie Dance Club
1988
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark
- Coming to America ... (Choreographer)
- Action Jackson ... (Choreographer)
1987
- Sacrée Soirée as Self
- The Running Man ... (Choreographer)
- Going Live! as Self
- The Tracey Ullman Show
- Can't Buy Me Love as Dancer (uncredited)
1986
- A Smoky Mountain Christmas as Choreographer (uncredited)
1984
- MTV Video Music Awards as Self
- Al TV as Self
1983
- Private School as Cheerleader (uncredited)
1982
- Champs-Elysées as Self
1978
- Junior High School as Sherry
1975
- Saturday Night Live as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1952
- Today as Self