Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Paula Abdul
Discover the career path of Paula Abdul, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Paula Abdul is a multifaceted American entertainer known for her success as a singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality. She gained initial recognition as a Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader and choreographer before transitioning to choreographing music videos, notably for Janet Jackson. This led to a recording contract with Virgin Records. Her debut album, Forever Your Girl (1988), was a commercial triumph, selling seven million copies and yielding a record four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. Her success continued with the album Spellbound (1991), which produced two more chart-topping hits. With six number-one singles, Abdul is among the female solo artists with the most chart-toppers on the Hot 100.
1978: Appearance in Junior High School
In 1978, Paula Abdul appeared in a low-budget independent musical film, Junior High School.
1986: Departure from the Laker Girls
In 1986, Paula Abdul ended her time with the Laker Girls, where she had served as head choreographer.
1987: Choreography Credits
In 1987, Paula Abdul received choreography credits in films such as "Can't Buy Me Love" and "The Running Man."
1987: Signing with Virgin Records
In 1987, Paula Abdul was signed to Virgin Records America, marking the start of her singing career.
1988: Choreography for Big
In 1988, Paula Abdul choreographed sequences for the giant keyboard scene involving Tom Hanks's character in Big.
1988: Debut Album Release: Forever Your Girl
In 1988, Paula Abdul released her debut album "Forever Your Girl", which became a huge success. It sold seven million copies in the United States and set a record for the most number-one singles from a debut album on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
1988: Release of Forever Your Girl
In 1988, Paula Abdul's debut studio album, "Forever Your Girl," was released and became a major success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
1990: Won AMA Award
In 1990, Paula Abdul won an American Music Award, which was presented to her by Donnie Wahlberg.
1991: Choreography Credits
In 1991, Paula Abdul received choreography credits in the film "The Doors."
1991: Release of Spellbound
In 1991, Paula Abdul released her second album "Spellbound," which produced two more chart-topping hits.
1995: Release of Head over Heels and Workout Video
In 1995, Paula Abdul released her third studio album, Head over Heels, and a dance workout video entitled Paula Abdul's Get Up and Dance!.
1996: Choreography Credits
In 1996, Paula Abdul received choreography credits in the film "Jerry Maguire."
1997: Co-writing Spinning Around and Touched by Evil Appearance
In 1997, Paula Abdul co-wrote the song "Spinning Around" and appeared in the ABC television film Touched By Evil.
1998: Release of Cardio Dance and Choreography Work
In 1998, Paula Abdul released a second workout video called Cardio Dance and served as the choreographer for the musical Reefer Madness.
1999: Choreography for American Beauty
In 1999, Paula Abdul choreographed the cheerleading scenes in the film "American Beauty."
1999: Choreography Credits
In 1999, Paula Abdul received choreography credits in the film "American Beauty."
2000: Release of Greatest Hits Compilation
In 2000, Virgin Records released Paula Abdul: Greatest Hits, a compilation album.
2001: Co-Production of Skirts Pilot
In 2001, Paula Abdul co-produced the pilot for Skirts, an MTV television series about a high school cheerleading squad, though the pilot never aired.
2002: American Idol Judge
In 2002, Paula Abdul became one of the original judges on the television series American Idol.
August 2005: Returned to 'American Idol'
In August 2005, Fox network confirmed that Paula Abdul would be returning to 'American Idol', as the investigation found 'insufficient evidence' of Clark's allegations.
December 2005: Launch of Cardio Cheer DVD Series
In December 2005, Paula Abdul launched a cheerleading/fitness/dance DVD series called Cardio Cheer.
2005: Paula Goodspeed Auditions for American Idol
In 2005, Paula Goodspeed auditioned for Paula Abdul on season 5 of American Idol in Austin, Texas, but was dismissed from the show.
2006: Guest Judge on The X Factor UK
In 2006, Paula Abdul appeared on the third series of The X Factor UK as a guest judge during the auditions.
2007: Paula Abdul Jewelry Launch
In 2007, Paula Abdul Jewelry launched its nationwide consumer debut on QVC.
2007: Release of Greatest Hits: Straight Up! and Hey Paula Premiere
In 2007, Paula Abdul released "Greatest Hits: Straight Up!" and premiered her reality television series, Hey Paula, on Bravo.
January 2009: Hosting "RAH!" Cheerleading Competition
In January 2009, Paula Abdul hosted "RAH!," a cheerleading competition on MTV.
May 2009: Debut of 'I'm Just Here for the Music'
In May 2009, Paula Abdul debuted her latest original song to date, "I'm Just Here for the Music," on the Ryan Seacrest Radio KIIS-FM show and performed the single on the American Idol.
May 2009: Raised Awareness for National Guide Dog Month
In May 2009, Paula Abdul raised awareness about National Guide Dog Month.
July 2009: Reports of Abdul's Departure from Idol
In July 2009, reports surfaced that Paula Abdul would not be returning to American Idol due to stalled contract negotiations.
2009: Departure from American Idol
In 2009, Paula Abdul ended her run as a judge on American Idol.
January 2010: Presented Lifetime Achievement Award
In January 2010, Paula Abdul presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to choreographer Julie McDonald at the 11th Anniversary show of The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball.
January 2011: Appeared on 'Live to Dance'
In January 2011, Paula Abdul began appearing on the CBS reality competition series 'Live to Dance', where she was also an executive producer.
May 2011: Joined 'The X Factor'
In May 2011, it was announced that Paula Abdul would rejoin Simon Cowell on the first season of the American edition of 'The X Factor'.
January 2012: Left 'The X Factor'
In January 2012, Paula Abdul announced that she would not return as a judge for the series' second season of 'The X Factor'.
October 2012: Guest Judge on 'Dancing with the Stars'
In October 2012, Paula Abdul served as a guest judge during week four of the All-Stars version of 'Dancing with the Stars'.
April 2013: Appeared on 'American Idol'
In April 2013, Paula Abdul appeared on the Top 5 results show of season 12 of 'American Idol' to compliment contestant Candice Glover.
July 9, 2013: Guest Judge on 'So You Think You Can Dance'
On July 9, 2013, Paula Abdul was a guest judge on season ten of 'So You Think You Can Dance'.
October 2013: Judge on 'So You Think You Can Dance Australia'
In October 2013, Paula Abdul was named as a judge on the revamped 'So You Think You Can Dance Australia'.
April 2014: Guest Judge on RuPaul's Drag Race
In April 2014, Paula Abdul was a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race, episode 'Queens of Talk'.
May 1, 2014: Appeared on 'So You Think You Can Dance Australia'
On May 1, 2014, Paula Abdul appeared as a permanent judge on 'So You Think You Can Dance Australia'.
June 2014: Cameo on 'Neighbours'
In June 2014, Paula Abdul made a cameo appearance on the Australian soap opera 'Neighbours'.
November 16, 2015: Won World Choreography Award
On November 16, 2015, Paula Abdul won the World Choreography Award for Outstanding Choreography Digital Format for the video 'Check Yourself'.
November 22, 2015: Presented Award at AMAs
On November 22, 2015, Paula Abdul and Donnie Wahlberg presented Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock at the 43rd American Music Awards.
August 6, 2016: Headline Performance at Mixtape Festival
On August 6, 2016, Paula Abdul performed a full headline set for the first time in 26 years at the Mixtape Festival in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
November 2016: Announced Tour with New Kids on the Block
In November 2016, New Kids on the Block announced that Paula Abdul would be touring with them and Boyz II Men on their Total Package Tour in 2017.
January 2017: Left 'So You Think You Can Dance'
In January 2017, Paula Abdul announced that she would not be returning as a judge for the fourteenth season of 'So You Think You Can Dance' due to her tour schedule.
July 16, 2017: Concluded Total Package Tour
On July 16, 2017, Paula Abdul concluded the Total Package Tour with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men in Hollywood, Florida, after 47 shows.
July 2018: Announced 'Straight Up Paula!' Tour
In July 2018, Paula Abdul announced that she would embark on a solo headlining tour across North America that fall, entitled 'Straight Up Paula!'.
May 1, 2019: Announced Las Vegas Residency
On May 1, 2019, Paula Abdul announced her first Las Vegas residency, 'Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl'.
June 7, 2019: Concluded 'Straight Up Paula!' Tour
On June 7, 2019, Paula Abdul concluded her 'Straight Up Paula!' tour in Los Angeles, California, after 25 shows.
January 2020: End of Las Vegas Residency
In January 2020, the first leg of Paula Abdul's Las Vegas residency, 'Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl', concluded after 20 dates.
October 2020: Panelist for 'The Masked Dancer'
In October 2020, it was announced that Paula Abdul would serve as a panelist for Fox's reality competition, 'The Masked Dancer'.
April 2021: Guest-Judge on 'American Idol'
In April 2021, Paula Abdul returned to 'American Idol' as a guest judge while Luke Bryan was out sick.
2023: Joined 'How to Dance in Ohio' Producing Team
In 2023, Paula Abdul joined the producing team of the Broadway musical 'How to Dance in Ohio' and appeared on 'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune'.
September 2024: Cancelled Straight Up! to Canada Tour
Paula Abdul's Straight Up! to Canada Tour that was scheduled to commence in September 2024 has since been cancelled.
