Paula Julie Abdul was born on June 19, 1962 in the San Fernando Valley, California. Her father Harry Abdul, was a livestock trader and he also owned a sand and gravel business. Her mother Lorraine Rykiss was a concert pianist. Her father was raised in Brazil before he immigrated to the U.S., and her mother was in Manitoba, Canada. Paula has 1 sister named Wendy.
Paula Abdul showed a very early interest in dance and music. She went on to attended Van Nuys High School, where she was a cheerleader and an honor student.
After High School Abdul went on to study broadcasting at California State University. During her first year she tried and for the Los Angeles Lakers cheerleading squad (The Laker Girls). Abdul was selected from a pool of 700. Within three months, she became head choreographer for the Laker Girls, and six months after that she left school to focus on her choreography career.
Paula Abdul has choreographed for many well known films such as “American Beauty”, she helped work with Cuba Gooding Jr. for his role in ‘Jerry Maguire’, and she helped Val Kilmer portray Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s film ‘The Doors’.
Paula Abdul is most known for her music career. She released 3 albums in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. From these she had two #1 albums, six #1 singles, a Grammy Award, seven MTV Awards, two Emmy Awards, two People’s Choice Awards and two Kids’ Choice Awards.
Paula Abdul is certainly known as the nice judge on American Idol. Which has made her very popular with fans. Paula does at times seem incapable of giving any constructive critism. Contestants who give poor performances can certainly expect to hear how great they look in whatever outfit they may have on, yet hear nothing with regards to the musical performance.
Personal Life:
Paula Abdul has been married twice. The first time to Emilio Estevez in 1992. They divorced in 1994. She later married a sportswear designer named Brad Beckerman in 1996. They divorced in 1998. In 2007 Paula Abdul was romantically linked with J.T. Torregiani (a restaurant owner). However, they broke up in the summer of 2008.
In the mid-90’s Paula Abdul battled with and eating disorder ‘bulimia nervosa’. However, by 1995 after treatment she had completely recovered.
Paula Abdul lives in Los Angeles.