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Paula
Abdul
Most of us know Paula Abdul as one of the judges on the popular
television show "American Idol." But did you know
years before Paula was dishing out opinions to hopeful future
stars that she was displaying her own performing talent as
a professional cheerleader?
Paula loved dancing from an early age, and teachers quickly
discovered her natural ability when she started taking dancing
lessons. She even won a scholarship to study tap and jazz
with a prestigious dance company. Paula further honed her
performing skills by spending summers as a member of a traveling
theatrical musical troupe.
While attending California State University Northridge with
the hope of becoming a sports broadcaster, Paula decided to
try out to be a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers professional
basketball team. She beat out hundreds of other hopefuls to
become a Laker Girl and soon became the head choreographer.
Compared to most cheerleading routines of the day, the movements
Paula developed put a much greater emphasis on dance than
on gymnastics.
At a starting salary of $50 per game, Paula did not get rich
as a Laker Girl. She did, however, get noticed. Executives
from the entertainment business who were in the stands approached
her about doing choreography for music videos, movies, and
television. Though she enjoyed her six years as a Laker Girl,
it was time to move on.
Paula's career took another turn while doing choreography
for singer Janet Jackson. The superstar complimented Paula
on her vocal talent, and this gave her the confidence to cut
a demo tape. Paula's debut album, "Forever Your Girl,"
sold millions of copies worldwide and contained four number-one
hits.
According
to an interview in Redbook magazine, the songstress first
became familiar with a new hit show, “Pop Idol”
(the British version of the American Idol) when they needed
clearance to use a song she wrote. “I then talked to
one of the creators, who told me about the format, and how
cutthroat judges destroy the kids who are auditioning….
The show ended up being a success, and the producer told me
that they'd bring it to America. Seven months later, the Fox
Network asked me to get involved. I thought that I could help
the kids--groom them and offer choreography tips. Instead,
I was hired as a judge. I showed up my first day of work and
met Simon Cowell for the first time,” she said.
While
it has been about 20 years since Paula lit up the basketball
arena, she has never forgotten her first break and claims
she did some of the best choreography of her career as a Laker
Girl. Despite her busy schedule on "American Idol,"
Paula continues to run dance and cheerleading camps, competitions,
and scholarship programs throughout the country.
Plus, she has a new hit single, “Dance Like There’s
No Tomorrow,” climbing the pop charts. Take that, Simon!
Fun
Facts about Paula Abdul
- During
her years at Van Nuys High School, Paula was head cheerleader,
class president, played flute in the orchestra, and was
a member of the science team.
-
Paula is a multicultural California girl--her father is
of Syrian and Brazilian descent and her mother is French-Canadian.
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One of Paula's favorite show business memories was when
she got to perform with her own idol, dancer Gene Kelly.
Who would have guessed that many years after Kelly's film
"Singin' in the Rain" inspired her passion for
movement that she would get to dance alongside him in a
commercial for Diet Coke?
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Paula has her own line of jewelry that features charms,
bracelets, and other pieces with meaningful and inspirational
phrases on them.
-
Paula has her own star on Hollywood Boulevard. She is also
a member of Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Hall of Fame.
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