Paula Abdul
(1962 - )

Born June 19, 1962 in Los Angeles, California
Dancer, pop singer, choreographer, American Idol Judge


American Idol judge Paul Abdul suffered an awkward lapse in judgment Tuesday night (April 29, 2008) that left her fellow judges, host Ryan Seacrest and millions of television viewers scratching their heads.

She apparently got tripped up by last-minute change of procedure on the popular TV musical talent show. Instead of offering a critique immediately following each performance, the judges were asked to make notes and then offer feedback at the end of each round.

At the end of the first round, Abdul also offered an analysis of the second performance by Jason Castro, even though none of the contestants had even begun round two.

"Oh gosh, we've never had to write these things down... fast enough," Abdul said, shuffling through her pieces of paper.

"Jason, in the first song I loved hearing your lower register which we never really hear," she told Castro. "The second song, I felt like your usual charm was missing."

The feedback was met by stunned silence from judges Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell as well as Seacrest, who appeared to be looking off-stage for a cue from the producers.

“The two songs sound like you're not fighting hard enough to get into the top four," she continued.

"That was just on the first song," Jackson said as he sheepishly interrupted following a smattering of nervous crowd laughter. "Just on the first one."

Cowell just closed his eyes and shook his head, and began to cackle as Abdul's confusion mounted.

"Oh my God, I thought you sang twice," Abdul said, looking flustered.

"Paula, you're seeing the future, baby," said Seacrest, who cut her off and threw to Cowell for his critique of the first-round performances.

"This is officially the strangest show we've ever done,” Cowell said at the conclusion of the show. "But I like that. It's kind of a bit chaotic tonight."

Dancer, pop singer, choreographer Paula Julie Abdul was born on June 19, 1962 in Los Angeles. The daughter of Harry Abdul, owner of a sand and gravel business, and Lorraine Abdul, a pianist, Paula grew up in the San Fernando Valley and attended Van Nuys High School. She briefly attended California State University Northridge before becoming an L.A. Lakers cheerleader. While there, her choreography caught the attention of the Jacksons, who hired her as assistant dance director for their Victory tour.

After choreographing Janet Jackson’s hit video Control and earning an Emmy Award for her work on The Tracey Ullman Show, Abdul launched a recording career of her own. Thanks in no small part to talented producers and big-budget videos like Forever Your Girl, Abdul’s debut album Straight Up made her into a bona fide star. She released her second album, Spellbound, in 1991 and her third, Head Over Heels, in 1995 with moderate success. Overall, she has sold in excess of 30 million records, has had two No. 1 albums and six No. 1 singles, and has won a Grammy Award.

After spending nearly a decade out of the limelight, Abdul became America’s sweetheart once again when she showed up on Fox as a judge for the network’s hugely popular American Idol in 2002. She also continues to run dance and cheerleading camps and competitions across the country.

Abdul was married to actor Emilio Estevez from 1992-1994, and to Brad Beckerman from 1996-1999.