Biography
Known primarily as a music video choreographer and pop star of the late 1980s, Paula Abdul would later enjoy triumphant career resurgence as a judge on the phenomenally popular reality talent show, "American Idol" (Fox, 2002- ). But years before she could make aspiring singer's dreams come true, Abdul was a key figure in the 1980s music video world for her choreography work with Janet Jackson among others. She would parlay her role as a high …
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Career Milestones
2011 | Re-teamed with Simon Cowell as a judge on the American version of "The X-Factor" | |
2011 | Served as judge, executive producer, mentor and coach on CBS' dancing competition, "Live to Dance" | |
2009 | Appeared in several episodes of the Lifetime series, "Drop Dead Diva" | |
2009 | Debuted "I'm Just Here for the Music" on the Ryan Seacrest Radio show; also performed the song on the "American Idol" (Fox) results show | |
2008 | Released first single in over 10 years, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow"; song debuted on "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" | |
2007 | Co-produced and starred in the reality series "Hey Paula" for the Bravo network | |
2005 | Joined Fox's reality show "So You Think You Can Dance" as a correspondent | |
2002 | Became a correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight" (CBS) | |
2002 | Appeared with Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson as judges on the reality competition "American Idol" (Fox); announced she was leaving the show before the start of the ninth season | |
| Started her own dance company, Company Dance, and showcased dance competitions throughout the US | ||
1999 | Cast in the NBC television movie, "Mr. Rock and Roll: The Alan Freed Story" | |
1997 | Starred in the ABC television movie, "Touched By Evil" | |
1995 | After taking a few years off for personal issues, she released Head Over Heels, her third studio album | |
1991 | Released the album Spellbound; the single "Rush Rush" was an instant hit | |
1990 | Released a remix album titled, Shut Up And Dance, which became the top-selling remix album in history | |
| Won an Emmy Award for choreographing "The Tracy Ullman Show" | ||
1988 | Released her debut album, Forever Your Girl; the single "Straight Up" became Paula's first No. 1 hit | |
1987 | Signed a deal with Virgin records | |
| Began choreographing for such movies as "Bull Durham," "The Running Man," "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Coming to America" | ||
1986 | Choreographed four of Janet Jackson's videos from her Control album, including "Nasty" and "What Have You Done for Me Lately?" | |
1984 | Discovered by the Jacksons while dancing at a Laker game; hired as an assistant dance director on The Jackson's Victory Tour | |
1982 | Left college to join the Los Angeles Lakers' cheerleading squad, known as the Laker Girls; promoted to choreographer within a few months | |
| Offered a dance scholarship at the Julliard school for performing arts in New York City; turned it down to stay closer to home | ||
1981 | Made film debut at age 15 in "Junior High School" | |
Awards
2007 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality - Competition Program in American Idol |
2006 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality - Competition Program in American Idol |
2005 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality - Competition Program in American Idol |
2004 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality - Competition Program in American Idol |
2003 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality - Competition Program in American Idol |
1990 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Choreography in The American Music Awards |
1989 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Choreography in The Tracey Ullman Show |
1988 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Choreography in The Tracey Ullman Show |