Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul was born in San Fernando Valley, California. When she was 8 years old, old, she began dancing lessons. She attended Van Nuys High School, where she was senior class president and head cheerleader. She graduated in 1980 and started the college process at Cal State Northridge to major in TV and radio. After joining the L.A. Lakers cheerleaders, she became head cheerleader/choreographer after only a few months, eventually dropping out of college to dance and choreograph full-time. She was approached by The Jacksons to choreograph their 1984 "Torture" video, which was the first in a lengthy list of films and videos she would choreograph. After her debut album "Forever Your Girl", she began singing and soon became a renowned performer and dancer. The time she spent as an American Idol judge (2002) has made her an increasingly popular performer/dancer. Her father (Harry Abdul), is Sephardic Jewish and hails from Syria. Her mother, who was also Jewish, was born in Canada. Her parents were residents of Canada, Syria, Brazil and Syria. This is the reason for a myriad of stories about her religion and nationality in the media. Born in Hollywood, California to Harry Abdul (another livestock trader from Brazil) and Lorainne Abdul (former assistant to film director Billy Wilder), she grew up. She has been dancing and singing since she was 7 years old. old, while on an adventure across America. She also took tap dancing classes and was awarded the opportunity to attend a tap dancing school. She attended Cal State-Northridge College, where she studied Broadcast radio. She auditioned for the Los Angeles Lakers NBA cheerleading team. This resulted in her making $50 per game in her freshman year.