What was overwhelming is that I never stopped working. I knew all the employees from the front office, ushers, vendors. It was the most exciting, rewarding experience.
1 single, returned to The Forum in Inglewood, California, home of the Lakers, “like a year and-a-half later, selling out three nights. 1 Hot 100 singles: career-maker “Straight Up,” the title track, “Cold Hearted” and “Opposites Attract.” The album also featured the hits “(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me” and “Knocked Out.”Ībdul, who “maintained my humble day job as a Laker Girl choreographer throughout pretty much the entire process” up through her first No. Though it started slow, Abdul's “Forever Your Girl” - released on Virgin Records - became the first debut album both to top Billboard's album sales chart and spin-off four No. In the middle were members of the Tower of Power horn section.” Other musicians in tow: Michael Bolton, a friend of Abdul's sister Wendy, as well as Toto's Porcaro brothers. I grew up with music all around me.”Ībdul also had influences as a child growing up in North Hollywood, California, in a three-condominium area. I had been in the arts throughout school. “I remember loving Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Earth, Wind & Fire, even groups like Yes, the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt. “I grew up with a mother who was a virtuoso pianist, celebrated in Canada,” she said of her mom, who worked as an assistant to filmmaker Billy Wilder and passed away in January.
Working with some of the music industry's biggest acts, in part, may have inspired Abdul to pursue a recording career, though she was always a music lover.
For the latter's breakthrough “Control” album, Abdul worked on clips such as “What Have You Done For Me Lately,“ “When I Think of You” and “Nasty,” the latter choreographed in 30 minutes, in front of a bathroom mirror in an apartment Abdul shared with other Laker Girls. Her choreography also graced '80s films such as “The Running Man,” “Big” and “Coming to America.” With her choreographer stock on the rise, Abdul worked on videos for ZZ Top, George Michael, Duran Duran and Janet Jackson. “One of my first concerts I saw when I was 7½ was The Jackson 5,” the dancer said. “Ten and a half years later, I was choreographing for them.” Along with other Van Nuys High students, she appeared in the 1978 musical film “Junior High School.” In 1980, as a freshman majoring in communications at California State University in Northridge, Abdul auditioned for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers cheerleading squad, landed the gig and soon became head choreographer.Īfter attending a Lakers game, the Jacksons hired Abdul to choreograph the 1984 “Torture” video, as well as the Victory Tour. It affects people in a certain way, like any other art form.”Ībdul, who took dance lessons as a youth, was a high school cheerleader and attended dance camp as a teen. You don't have to speak Japanese, Italian, Swahili.
“It's a visual medium, but also the mother of all languages. “You can dance out joy, disappointment, hurt, anger, whatever you're going through,” she continued. You see it even when you watch shows like ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and truly see the fish out of water that have never danced before. “I was 4 years old when I saw ‘Singin' in the Rain,’ so that's my earliest, fondest memory,” said Abdul, who paid tribute to star Gene Kelly in her Grammy-winning “Opposites Attract” video and became good friends with him shortly thereafter. “Dance is something that changes your life. While she loves all aspects of her career, seeing a classic 1952 musical sparked her fascination with dance.
#WATCH PAULA ABDUL STRAIGHT UP LIVE 1989 MUSIC A AWARDS TV#
Abdul, the singer - whose résumé also includes TV personality, humanitarian, actress and entrepreneur - fell in love with dance as a child. Born in San Fernando, California, daughter of Harry and Lorraine M. Complacency would not describe Abdul's three-decade-plus career.
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