With a highly successful career in music, choreography, acting, and hosting for over 30 years, there’s only one way to describe Paula Abdul—an entertainment powerhouse! It’s no wonder the versatile star has a massive net worth of $20 million as of 2024.
Surprisingly, Paula got her head start in the industry by being a cheerleader in high school. During her freshmen year of college, she was then selected out of 700 candidates to join the famous ‘Laker Girls,’ the official cheerleading squad of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team.
After making her mark in the world of dance, Paula took the music industry by storm, starting with her best-selling debut studio album, Forever Your Girl. But that’s not all! So, if you’re curious about Paula Abdul’s fame, fortune, and journey to the top, keep on reading.
Get to Know Paula Abdul: Personal Facts About the Star
Paula Julie Abdul, popularly known as Paula Abdul, was born on June 19, 1962, in San Fernando, California. Currently, the celebrity is 62 years old. Both of her parents, Harry and Lorraine Abdul, are of Jewish heritage, and she has one older sister named Wendy.
At an early age, Paula had already displayed a love for dancing, taking lessons in ballet, jazz, and tap. She also received a scholarship to a dance camp when she was 15 years old and appeared in an independent musical film, Junior High School.
Paula attended the Van Nuys High School and was a member of their cheerleading squad. She continued her education at the California State University, where she studied broadcasting.
Image source: Google
During her freshman year of college, she was chosen to be one of the Laker Girls, who cheered for the LA Lakers basketball team. Within one year, she became their head choreographer.
How Did Paula Abdul Become Famous?
Paula Abdul was discovered by the Jacksons while she was cheering at a Los Angeles Lakers game. She was asked to create the music video choreography for their hit single, Torture, and later on, the Jacksons’ Victory tour. This kickstarted her career as a professional choreographer.
As for her music career, it was Paula’s debut studio album, Forever Your Girl (1988), which established her reputation as a singing superstar. It spent 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and became the most successful debut album in history during her time.
Paula is also famous for being one of the original judges on the hit television series, American Idol, for the first eight seasons from 2002 to 2009. She has won five MTV Video Music Awards, an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Image source: Instagram
Paula Abdul’s Net Worth and Sources of Income
Paula Abdul has an estimated net worth of $20 million, the majority of it coming from her career as a musician. This includes streaming revenues from her hit songs, as well as album sales, ticket revenues from her tours, and high-paying special performances and guest appearances.
The celebrity also earns from her career as a well-known TV personality and actress. Her other income sources include brand deals, ad campaigns, and professional fees as a choreographer for various artists’ music videos.
Paula Abdul Music
Paula’s debut studio album, Forever Your Girl, sold seven million copies in the United States! It set a record for the most number-one singles from a debut album on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which included Straight Up, Opposites Attract, Cold Hearted, and Forever Your Girl.
Her second album, Spellbound, was also a big success, giving her two additional chart-topping songs, Rush Rush and Promise of a New Day. However, her third studio album, Head over Heels, only sold around 500,000 copies in the US and became her lowest-selling release.
As for concerts, Paula has headlined two tours to date: Under My Spell Tour and Straight Up Paula! She also had a Las Vegas concert residency, Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl.
Acting and Television Shows
Another lucrative income source for Paula is her flourishing career as an actress and TV personality. She’s starred in countless music videos and TV series, including Fresh Off the Boat, Family Guy, Less Than Perfect, That’s So Raven, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Paula was one of the original judges on the singing competition TV series, American Idol, where she reportedly earned $5 million per season. She has also appeared as a judge on The X Factor, The Masked Dancer, Live to Dance, and So You Think You Can Dance.
Image source: Google
Brand Deals and Ad Campaigns
Throughout her career, Paula has partnered with various brands to promote their products. She previously collaborated with Avon on an exclusive holiday jewelry collection, launched ads for Reebok and Diet Coke, and endorsed Smash + Tess, a clothing company for women by women.
She also launched her own line of footwear with L.A. Gear and became a celebrity sneaker promoter, alongside Michael Jackson and Joe Montana. In 2019, Paula served as a brand ambassador for InMode, a medical device and cosmetic treatment company.
Paula Abdul Choreography
During her early years in the entertainment industry, Paula was a choreographer to the stars. She signed up to do the Jacksons’ choreography for their music video, Torture, as well as their Victory tour. She also choreographed sequences for Tom Hanks’ character in the movie, Big.
Additionally, choreography for Janet Jackson’s music videos for her hit singles, Control, When I Think of You, and What Have You Done for Me Lately were all done by Paula.
Final Thoughts on Paula Abdul’s Net Worth
With an estimated net worth of $20 million and a flourishing career in both music and dance, Paula Abdul has definitely proven herself to be one of Hollywood’s most versatile entertainers. From cheerleader to choreographer to music star and TV personality—that’s straight up Paula!
Featured image source: Instagram
