Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul was born in San Fernando Valley, California. She began dancing when she was eight. She went to Van Nuys High School, where she was the class president and head cheerleader. She graduated in 1980, and started college at Cal State Northridge to major in radio and television. 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. The Jacksons recruited her to choreograph their 1984 film "Torture" which was their first of a series of videos and movies she choreographed. Her first album "Forever Your Girl" and her first solo album, her singing career began to take off. The single "Straight Up" was a big hit and she's been a successful singer/dancer ever after. This was made possible by her time on American Idol (2002-2004). Her father (Harry Abdul) is Sephardic Jewish and hails from Syria. Her mother is Jewish and was born in Canada. Her parents have been in Syria, Brazil, and Canada - and this varied background has resulted in wildly diverse stories in the media about her country of origin and/or her religion. Born in Hollywood, California to Harry Abdul (another livestock trader in Brazil) and Lorainne Abdul (former assistant to director Billy Wilder), she began her life. She has been singing and dancing since she was just seven years old, while on an excursion in America. Tap dancing was also something she learned, and she received a scholarship to attend tap dancing classes. Later in life, she attended Cal State-Northridge College where she pursued a degree in Broadcast radio. She auditioned for the Los Angeles Lakers NBA cheerleading team. The result was getting paid $50 per match during her freshman year.