Who Is Paula Abdul? Age, Biography and Wiki
Paula Abdul, born on June 19, 1962, is an American singer, dancer, choreographer, and television personality. With a career spanning over three decades, she has captivated audiences with her dynamic performances and unique style. Abdul first gained fame in the late 1980s as a choreographer for the Los Angeles Lakers and transitioned to a successful music career, producing hit singles such as “Straight Up” and “Rush Rush.” In 2025, Paula Abdul stands at 62 years old, continuing to inspire the entertainment industry with her remarkable talent and engaging personality.
| Occupation | Choreographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 19, 1962 |
| Age | 63 Years |
| Birth Place | San Fernando, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Paula Abdul's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Paula Abdul's height is reported to be around 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm), and her weight is approximately 110 pounds (50 kg). Known for her fit physique, Paula maintains her body through an active lifestyle that includes dance and fitness routines. Her distinctively youthful appearance is often attributed to her dedication to health and wellness, alongside a balanced diet.
Paula Julie Abdul (born June 19, 1962) is an American singer, 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 seven 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 second album Spellbound (1991) scored her two more chart-toppers – "Rush Rush" and "The Promise of a New Day". With six number-one singles on Hot 100, Abdul tied Diana Ross for the third-most chart-toppers among female solo artists at the time.
As of 2025, Abdul places seventh along with Diana Ross and Lady Gaga for the most number-one singles by female artists in the U.S. to date.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Paula Abdul is rumored to be dating a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, though she has kept the details of her relationship private. Previously, she was married to Brad Beckerman from 1992 to 1994. Through the years, she has been linked to various celebrities but maintains a level of discretion about her personal life. Paula continues to share the love and support of her family, emphasizing strong familial bonds throughout her career.
Her mother, Lorraine (Rykiss), was a concert pianist of Jewish heritage, from Minnedosa, Manitoba. Abdul has an older sister named Wendy. As an avid dancer, Abdul was inspired towards a show business career by Gene Kelly in the film Singin' in the Rain.
Net Worth and Salary
Paula Abdul has accumulated substantial wealth over her decades-long career. As of 2025, her estimated net worth stands at approximately $30 million. Her income streams include music sales, concert tours, television appearances, and endorsements. In addition to her entertainment ventures, Paula has also invested in various business endeavors that contribute to her impressive earnings.
Abdul's debut studio album, Forever Your Girl (1988), would become the most successful debut album in history at that time, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart after 64 weeks (where it would spend 10 weeks at number one), and set a record for the most singles from a debut album to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the Un
ited States, with four: "Straight Up", "Forever Your Girl", "Cold Hearted", and "Opposites Attract".
The album was later certified 7× platinum by the RIAA. A remix album, Shut Up and Dance: Mixes, was also released and reached number seven in the United States, becoming one of the most successful remix albums to date. At the 32nd Grammy Awards, Abdul won her first Grammy for Best Music Video for "Opposites Attract".
She was also nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Straight Up", but lost to Bonnie Raitt's "Nick of Time". In 1991, singer Yvette Marine filed a lawsuit against Abdul and the Virgin label, alleging that it was her vocals that were used on several tracks from Forever Your Girl, most notably "Opposites Attract".
A jury sided with Abdul and the label two years later in 1993, rejecting Marine's claim to credit and copyright compensation.
Career, Business and Investments
Paula's career took off with her successful debut album, “Forever Your Girl,” and she has since forged a path as a multifaceted entertainer. In 2025, she continues to explore new projects, including music, choreography, and participation as a judge on various talent competition shows. Beyond her immediate career, Paula has invested in her own brand of dance classes and has partnered with fitness companies, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.
Abdul was discovered by the Jacksons, after a few of the band members had watched her while attending a Los Angeles Lakers game. She was signed to do the choreography for the video to their single "Torture".
Abdul recalled feeling intimidated by having to tell the Jacksons how to dance, stating that she was "not quite sure how [she] got through that." The success of the choreography in the video led to Abdul's career as choreographer of music videos, notably Janet Jackson's "What Have You Done for Me Lately", "Nasty", "When I Think of You" and "Control
" videos.
It was also due to the success of the video that Abdul was chosen to be the choreographer for the Jacksons' Victory tour. Abdul also choreographed sequences for the giant keyboard scene involving Tom Hanks's character in Big (1988).
Social Network
Paula Abdul maintains an active presence on several social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where she connects with her fans and shares updates about her projects and personal life. Her social media following is robust, with millions of followers who engage with her content regularly. She often posts behind-the-scenes glimpses of her performances and shares motivational messages to inspire her audience.
In 2007, Paula Abdul Jewelry launched its nationwide consumer debut on QVC, with the tagline "fashion jewelry designed with heart and soul." Abdul's first QVC appearance resulted in 15 sellouts of her first jewelry collection involving more than 34,000 pieces.
In 2008, Abdul returned to music charts for the first time in nearly thirteen years with the single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow", the first track on the album Randy Jackson's Music Club Vol. 1. The song debuted on On Air with Ryan Seacrest, and Abdul performed it during the pre-game show for Super Bowl XLII.
"Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" was a modest comeback hit for Abdul, peaking at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The moderate success led to reports of Abdul beginning work on a new album, but this never materialized.
Abdul also made a brief guest appearance on an episode of the British television series Hotel Babylon, which aired in the United Kingdom in February 2008.
Education
Paula Abdul graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a degree in broadcasting. Her education laid the foundation for her successful career in entertainment and media. She has often credited her academic background for helping her navigate the complexities of the industry and for her ability to engage an audience effectively.
Abdul began taking dance lessons at an early age in ballet, jazz, and tap. She attended Van Nuys High School, where she was a cheerleader and an honor student. At 15, she received a scholarship to a dance camp near Palm Springs, and in 1978, appeared in a low-budget independent musical film, Junior High School.
In 1980, she graduated from Van Nuys High School. Abdul studied broadcasting at the California State University, Northridge. During her freshman year, she was selected from a pool of 700 candidates for the cheerleading squad of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball team—the famed Laker Girls. Within a year, she became head choreographer.
She remained with the Laker Girls until 1986.
