Paula Abdul#2008 stalking incident

Abdul was born in San Fernando, California. She is Jewish:{{Cite web |title=Paula Abdul |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/paula-abdul |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org}} her father, Harry Abdul, is of Syrian Jewish heritage and was born in Aleppo, Syria, raised in Brazil and emigrated to the United States.{{cite news|author=Itamar Eichner|title=i minister, American Idol|publisher=YNetNews.com|date=November 17, 2006|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3328923,00.html|access-date=November 17, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061119140912/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3328923,00.html|archive-date=November 19, 2006|url-status=live}} Her mother, Lorraine (Rykiss), was a concert pianist of Jewish heritage, from Minnedosa, Manitoba.{{cite news |last1=Eichner |first1=Itamar |title=Israeli minister, American Idol |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3328923,00.html |newspaper=Ynetnews|date=November 17, 2006 }}{{cite magazine|last=Runtagh|first=Jordan|title=Paula Abdul Was 'By Her Mom's Side' as Mother Lorraine Died at Age 85|url=https://people.com/music/paula-abdul-mother-lorraine-dead/|date=January 18, 2018|access-date=January 24, 2022|magazine=People}}{{cite web | url=https://www.brandonsun.com/local/2018/01/19/death-of-paula-abduls-mother-brings-minnedosa-attention | title=Jan 2018: Death of Paula Abdul's mother brings Minnedosa attention | date=January 19, 2018 }} Abdul has an older sister named Wendy.{{cite web|url=http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/paula-abdul-and-her-sister-wendy-abdul-attend-paula-abdul-news-photo/170996891|title=Paula Abdul Celebrates Her Birthday At Aventine Hollywood|date=June 21, 2013 |publisher=Getty Images|access-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414061334/http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/paula-abdul-and-her-sister-wendy-abdul-attend-paula-abdul-news-photo/170996891|archive-date=14 April 2016|url-status=live}} As an avid dancer, Abdul was inspired towards a show business career by Gene Kelly in the film Singin' in the Rain.{{cite web|last1=Parker|first1=Lyndsey|title=Paula Abdul's Favorite Choreography Moments of Her Career|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/paula-abduls-favorite-choreography-moments-of-her-career-20140718|website=rollingstone.com|date=July 18, 2014|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019221423/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/paula-abduls-favorite-choreography-moments-of-her-career-20140718|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}}

Abdul began taking dance lessons at an early age in ballet, jazz, and tap. She attended Van Nuys High School, where she was a cheerleader and an honor student. At 15, she received a scholarship to a dance camp near Palm Springs, and in 1978, appeared in a low-budget independent musical film, Junior High School. In 1980, she graduated from Van Nuys High School.{{cite news|title=Paula Abdul on Her Secret Childhood Dance Studio|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/paula-abdul-on-her-secret-childhood-dance-studio-1479829799|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=November 22, 2016|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703122351/https://www.wsj.com/articles/paula-abdul-on-her-secret-childhood-dance-studio-1479829799|archive-date=3 July 2017|url-status=live}} Abdul studied broadcasting at the California State University, Northridge. During her freshman year, she was selected from a pool of 700 candidates for the cheerleading squad of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball team—the famed Laker Girls. Within a year, she became head choreographer.{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-12-22-sp-1552-story.html| title=The Greatest Flattery: Success of the Knicks' New Dancers Simply Proves What the Lakers Have Known All Along| last=Cart| first=Julie| date=December 22, 1991| work=Los Angeles Times| access-date=January 17, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024060720/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-12-22/sports/sp-1552_1_laker-girl-style| archive-date=October 24, 2013| url-status=live}} She remained with the Laker Girls until 1986.{{cite web|author=Dennis Hunt|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-12-ca-2808-story.html|title=Ex-Laker Girl Slam-Dunks : Paula Abdul scores with new singing career and debut album|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 12, 1989|accessdate=April 18, 2022}}

Abdul was discovered by the Jacksons, after a few of the band members had watched her while attending a Los Angeles Lakers game.{{cite news|title=Abdul's Dues: Paid a Lot of Them in 3 Years, But They Haven't Slowed Her Rise|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=November 21, 1991|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24470781.html?dids=24470781:24470781&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Nov+21%2C+1991&author=Gary+Graff%2C+Knight-Ridder+Tribune+News.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Abdul's+dues+She+has+paid+a+lot+of+them+in+3+years%2C+but+they+haven't+slowed+her+rise&pqatl=google|access-date=May 3, 2009|author=Graff, Gary|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107192703/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24470781.html?dids=24470781%3A24470781&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&date=Nov+21%2C+1991&author=Gary+Graff%2C+Knight-Ridder+Tribune+News.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Abdul%27s+dues+She+has+paid+a+lot+of+them+in+3+years%2C+but+they+haven%27t+slowed+her+rise&pqatl=google|archive-date=January 7, 2012|url-status=dead}} She was signed to do the choreography for the video to their single "Torture".{{cite news|title=Abdul Delivers More Than the Same Old Song and Dance|newspaper=San Jose Mercury News|date=August 11, 1989|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB7308787F670A3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=May 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128034432/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB7308787F670A3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|archive-date=January 28, 2012|url-status=live}} Abdul recalled feeling intimidated by having to tell the Jacksons how to dance, stating that she was "not quite sure how [she] got through that."{{cite news|title=Paula Abdul Scores with New Singing Career and Debut Album|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=February 12, 1989|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/66399719.html?dids=66399719:66399719&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+12%2C+1989&author=DENNIS+HUNT&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Ex-Laker+Girl+Slam-Dunks+Paula+Abdul+scores+with+new+singing+career+and+debut+album&pqatl=google|access-date=May 3, 2009|author=Hunt, Dennis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817091635/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/66399719.html?dids=66399719:66399719&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+12%2C+1989&author=DENNIS+HUNT&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Ex-Laker+Girl+Slam-Dunks+Paula+Abdul+scores+with+new+singing+career+and+debut+album&pqatl=google|archive-date=August 17, 2010|url-status=dead}} The success of the choreography in the video led to Abdul's career as choreographer of music videos, notably Janet Jackson's "What Have You Done for Me Lately", "Nasty", "When I Think of You" and "Control" videos.{{cite news|title=Idol Scandal Could Hurt, Not Help, the Show|newspaper=USA Today|date=May 4, 2005|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2005-05-04-idol-primetime-reax_x.htm|access-date=May 3, 2009|author=Oldenburg, Ann|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820091749/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2005-05-04-idol-primetime-reax_x.htm|archive-date=August 20, 2010|url-status=live}} It was also due to the success of the video that Abdul was chosen to be the choreographer for the Jacksons' Victory tour. Abdul also choreographed sequences for the giant keyboard scene involving Tom Hanks's character in Big (1988).{{cite news|last1=Schneider|first1=Karen|last2=Gold|first2=Todd|title=A Brave New Song|volume=43|url=http://people.com/archive/cover-story-a-brave-new-song-vol-43-no-24/|work=People Magazine|issue=24|date=19 June 1995|page=88|access-date=6 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107030549/http://people.com/archive/cover-story-a-brave-new-song-vol-43-no-24/|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2009-02-28 |title=The Official Website of Paula Abdul |url=http://www.paulaabdul.com/Paula.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228102911/http://www.paulaabdul.com/Paula.htm |archive-date=February 28, 2009 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=web.archive.org}}

File:Paula Abdul 1.jpg

In 1987, Abdul used her savings to make a singing demo.{{cite web|title=Paula Abdul Biography|url=http://www.metacritic.com/person/paula-abdul?filter-options=tv|website=metacritic.com| date=August 19, 2013 |access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110142153/http://www.metacritic.com/person/paula-abdul?filter-options=tv|archive-date=10 January 2018|url-status=live}} Soon thereafter, she was signed to the newly formed Virgin Records America by Jeff Ayeroff, who had worked in marketing at A&M Records with Janet Jackson. Although she was a skilled dancer and choreographer, Abdul was a relatively untrained singer, and worked with various coaches and record producers to develop her vocal ability. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range.{{cite news |last1=Dominguez |first1=Pier |title=How "Forever Your Girl" Made Paula Abdul The Original Britney |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/pdominguez/paula-abdul-forever-your-girl-pop-princess |access-date=June 20, 2018 |publisher=BuzzFeed |date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618144422/https://www.buzzfeed.com/pdominguez/paula-abdul-forever-your-girl-pop-princess |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://dance.lovetoknow.com/Dancer_Paula_Abdul|title=Dancer Paula Abdul|publisher=LoveToKnow Corp|work=LoveToKnow|first=Rachel|last=Hanson|access-date=20 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122071936/http://dance.lovetoknow.com/Dancer_Paula_Abdul|archive-date=January 22, 2018|url-status=dead}} Ayeroff recalled signing Abdul to a recording contract years later, stating: "She said, 'I can sing, you know. I want to do an album.' Paula's in our industry. Here's someone with a personality and she's gorgeous, and she can dance. If she can sing, she could be a star. So she went into the studio and cut a demo record and she could sing."{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Carla |title=Paula Abdul, Soaring Straight Up |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1990/03/25/paula-abdul-soaring-straight-up/b11d0418-7754-4e56-84fb-000f5a215bff/ |access-date=June 21, 2018 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=March 25, 1990 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720225553/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1990/03/25/paula-abdul-soaring-straight-up/b11d0418-7754-4e56-84fb-000f5a215bff/ |archive-date=July 20, 2018 |url-status=live }}

Abdul's debut studio album, Forever Your Girl (1988), would become the most successful debut album in history at that time, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart after 64 weeks (where it would spend 10 weeks at number one), and set a record for the most singles from a debut album to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, with four: "Straight Up", "Forever Your Girl", "Cold Hearted", and "Opposites Attract".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/470364/the-longest-music-moments-ever|quote=Longest Climb to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 – She probably had no idea how appropriate her 1988 album title would be when she came up with it, but it took Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl" a total of 64 weeks—a year and three months—to go from entering the Billboard 200 to reaching No. 1.|title=The Longest Music Moments|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 3, 2012|author1=Alex Chapman|author2=Sarah Maloy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317134852/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/470364/the-longest-music-moments-ever|archive-date=March 17, 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/paula_abdul/0,,,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810020855/http://www.people.com/people/paula_abdul/0%2C%2C%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 10, 2007 |title=Celebrity Central – Paula Abdul |access-date=March 3, 2012 |magazine=People |quote=...Forever Your Girl stays at No. 1 on the Billboard chart for 10 weeks and sells seven million copies. |author1=Janet Mock |author2=Julia Wang }} The album was later certified 7× platinum by the RIAA. A remix album, Shut Up and Dance: Mixes, was also released and reached number seven in the United States, becoming one of the most successful remix albums to date.{{cite web|title=Paula Abdul overview|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/shut-up-and-dance-dance-mixes-mw0000655013|website=allmusic.com|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019221650/https://www.allmusic.com/album/shut-up-and-dance-dance-mixes-mw0000655013|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}} At the 32nd Grammy Awards, Abdul won her first Grammy for Best Music Video for "Opposites Attract".{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www2.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103192148/http://www2.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx |archive-date=January 3, 2010 |access-date=2010-06-29 |website=Grammy.com}}{{cite web|title=Some important information about MC Skat Kat|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2017/07/06/some-important-information-about-skat-kat/j9VPnUI5FwTl5CMeXdzl7M/story.html|website=bostonglobe.com|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019220247/https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2017/07/06/some-important-information-about-skat-kat/j9VPnUI5FwTl5CMeXdzl7M/story.html|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}} She was also nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Straight Up", but lost to Bonnie Raitt's "Nick of Time". In 1991, singer Yvette Marine filed a lawsuit against Abdul and the Virgin label, alleging that it was her vocals that were used on several tracks from Forever Your Girl, most notably "Opposites Attract".{{cite web|last1=Philips|first1=Chuck|title=Did Abdul Get Assist? : A Backup Singer Sues Her Label, Charging Deception|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-09-ca-188-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=April 9, 1991 |access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009030306/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-04-09/entertainment/ca-188_1_paula-abdul|archive-date=9 October 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Pareles|first1=Jon|title=Singer Says Part of Voice on Hit Is Hers|work=The New York Times |date=April 10, 1991 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/10/arts/singer-says-part-of-voice-on-hit-is-hers.html|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902012542/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/10/arts/singer-says-part-of-voice-on-hit-is-hers.html|archive-date=2 September 2017|url-status=live}} A jury sided with Abdul and the label two years later in 1993, rejecting Marine's claim to credit and copyright compensation.{{cite news |last1=Philips |first1=Chuck |title=Singer Loses Suit Over Paula Abdul Album : Music: Plaintiff said she was uncredited co-lead vocalist on parts of 1988 hit. But jury sides with Virgin Records. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-08-13-me-23313-story.html |access-date=June 20, 2018 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=August 13, 1993 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706025508/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-13/local/me-23313_1_paula-abdul |archive-date=July 6, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n18_v84/ai_14330373 |title=Paula Abdul did lead on 'Forever Your Girl': jury – Brief Article |publisher=Findarticles.com |date=August 30, 1993 |access-date=July 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101145555/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n18_v84/ai_14330373/ |archive-date=January 1, 2011 }}

Abdul saw continued success with her second studio album Spellbound (1991), which saw two additional number-one singles: "Rush Rush" and "The Promise of a New Day". A third single "Blowing Kisses in the Wind" reached number six for three consecutive weeks. Spellbound retained the dance-pop sound from Forever Your Girl and introduced elements of R&B, and sold 7 million copies worldwide.{{cite web|title=U|url=http://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=U|website=princevault.com|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019222343/http://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=U|archive-date=October 19, 2017|url-status=dead}} The music video for "Rush Rush" featured a Rebel Without a Cause motif, starring Keanu Reeves in the James Dean role.{{Cite web |title=Paula Abdul - Dancer and Choreographer |url=https://www.arabamerica.com/arabamericans/35437/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Arab America |language=en}} The album's other singles, "Vibeology" and "Will You Marry Me?", saw moderate success on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top 20.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName| artist=paula abdul|chart=all}}| title=Spellbound – Paula Abdul| magazine=Billboard.com|access-date=July 3, 2011}}{{cite web|title=Peter Lord: Songwriter Interviews|url=http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/peter_lord/|publisher=Songfacts.com|access-date=September 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014102811/http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/peter_lord/|archive-date=October 14, 2012|url-status=live}} In 1991, Abdul starred in a popular Diet Coke commercial in which she danced with a digital image of her idol, a young Gene Kelly.{{cite web|last1=Marshall|first1=Kelli|title=Diet Coke Ad: Paula Abdul|url=http://www.criticalcommons.org/Members/kellimarshall/clips/DietCoke_PaulaAbdul.mp4/view|website=criticalcommons.org|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019220255/http://www.criticalcommons.org/Members/kellimarshall/clips/DietCoke_PaulaAbdul.mp4/view|archive-date=October 19, 2017|url-status=dead}} Abdul was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 1991.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g05QAAAAIBAJ&pg=6448,1936911&dq=paula+abdul+walk+of+fame&hl=en| title=Paula Abdul gets star on Hollywood Boulevard| date=1991-12-01| access-date=August 1, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216071307/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g05QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wVEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6448,1936911&dq=paula+abdul+walk+of+fame&hl=en| archive-date=December 16, 2013| url-status=live}} Abdul promoted Spellbound through the Under My Spell Tour, which was named by an MTV contest for fans.{{cite web|last1=Degregorio|first1=Erin|title=Paula Abdul's Not Missing A Beat While On First Tour In 25 Years|url=http://bust.com/music/193126-paula-abdul-returns-total-package-tour.html|website=bust.com|date=July 5, 2017|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020032444/http://bust.com/music/193126-paula-abdul-returns-total-package-tour.html|archive-date=20 October 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Under My Spell Live|url=http://www.paula-abdul.net/html/under_my_spell_live.php#*|website=paula-abdul.net|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020032526/http://www.paula-abdul.net/html/under_my_spell_live.php#*|archive-date=October 20, 2017|url-status=dead}} The tour was nearly cancelled due to an accident during rehearsals, but began on schedule in October 1991 and concluded in August 1992.

After her initial period of professional success, Abdul's career entered a brief hiatus while she sought treatment for personal and physical issues.{{cite web|last1=Boddington|first1=Shaye|title=The Paula Abdul Bulimia Battle. This brave woman's story...|url=http://www.your-bulimia-recovery.com/paula-abdul-bulimia.html|website=your-bulimia-recovery.com|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019220319/http://www.your-bulimia-recovery.com/paula-abdul-bulimia.html|archive-date=October 19, 2017|url-status=dead}} Her third studio album, Head over Heels (1995), retained both pop and R&B elements and saw moderate commercial success, peaking at number 18 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and later becoming her lowest-selling release. The lead single from Head over Heels, "My Love Is for Real", featured a fusion of R&B and traditional Middle Eastern instruments, and was performed with Yemeni-Israeli singer Ofra Haza. Its accompanying Lawrence of Arabia-inspired music video was played in theaters across the world as a prologue to the film Clueless. The single performed well on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, where it reached number one, and peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Crazy Cool" and "Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up" served as the album's second and third singles. To date, Head over Heels has sold over 500,000 copies in the United States.{{cite book|title=Billboard|date=15 July 1995|page=94|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xgsEAAAAMBAJ&q=paula+abdul+head+over+heels+500+000&pg=PA94|access-date=19 October 2017}} In 1995, Abdul released a dance workout video entitled Paula Abdul's Get Up and Dance! (re-released on DVD in 2003), a fast-paced, hip-hop style workout.{{cite web|title=Get Up and Dance! (1994)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0276981/|website=imdb.com|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209040629/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0276981/|archive-date=9 February 2017|url-status=live}} In 1997, Abdul co-wrote a song called "Spinning Around" with record producer and composer Kara DioGuardi, which was intended to be her comeback single from a new album, but the plan never materialized and the song was later given to Kylie Minogue.{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Jeffrey |title=Paula Abdul Was Almost the Pop Princess of Her Era: Celebrating 30 Years of 'Forever Your Girl' |url=http://kellyalexandershow.com/paula-abdul-almost-pop-princess-era-celebrating-30-years-forever-girl/ |access-date=June 20, 2018 |publisher=The Kelly Alexander Show |date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621070238/http://kellyalexandershow.com/paula-abdul-almost-pop-princess-era-celebrating-30-years-forever-girl/ |archive-date=June 21, 2018 |url-status=dead }} That year, Abdul appeared in the ABC television film Touched By Evil, playing a businesswoman who discovers that her boyfriend is a serial rapist.{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/336968/Touched-by-Evil/overview|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710193003/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/336968/Touched-by-Evil/overview|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 10, 2012|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times|author=Hal Erickson|title=Touched By Evil, review summary|author-link=Hal Erickson (author)|access-date=February 5, 2011}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/paula_abdul/biography|title=Paula Abdul Biography|access-date=February 5, 2011|magazine=People|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207044743/http://www.people.com/people/paula_abdul/biography|archive-date=February 7, 2011|url-status=live}} In 1998, she released a second workout video called Cardio Dance (re-released on DVD in 2000).{{cite web|title=Paula Abdul: Cardio Dance (1998)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0277225/|website=imdb.com|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209113643/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0277225/|archive-date=9 February 2017|url-status=live}} Thereafter, Abdul served as the choreographer for several film and theater productions, including the 1998 musical Reefer Madness and the cheerleading scenes in American Beauty (1999).

In 2000, Virgin Records, with whom Abdul was already no longer affiliated,{{cite web|title=The Greatest Hits - Paula Abdul|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-greatest-hits-mw0000057571|website=allmusic.com|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019221526/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-greatest-hits-mw0000057571|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}} released the first of two compilation albums by Abdul, Paula Abdul: Greatest Hits. Abdul co-produced the 2001 pilot for Skirts, an MTV television series about a high school cheerleading squad; Abdul was also set to appear as the head coach. The pilot never aired.[http://www.reefermadness.org/critics/timeout_paula_092401.html Gone to Pot] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719005838/http://www.reefermadness.org/critics/timeout_paula_092401.html |date=2011-07-19 }} (Paula Abdul interview), Gia Kourlas, Time Out New York, September 2001 In 2002, she began appearing as one of three judges on the Fox reality competition series American Idol, where she won praise as a sympathetic and compassionate judge and mentor. She seemed especially kind compared to fellow judge Simon Cowell, who was often blunt in his appraisals of the contestants' performances. When she realized that Cowell's over-the-top judging style was heartbreaking for many young contestants, Abdul was horrified and she considered leaving the series. Although their differences often resulted in heated on-air exchanges and confrontations, Cowell says he played a major role in convincing Abdul not to leave the series.Cowell, S (2003): I don't mean to be rude, but ..., p. 116–117, Random House. {{ISBN|978-0-7679-1741-4}} While serving as a judge on American Idol, Abdul accepted a second assignment as reporter for Entertainment Tonight.{{cite web|title=Credits|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/paula-abdul/credits/196941/|website=tvguide.com|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707112619/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/paula-abdul/credits/196941/|archive-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live}} In December 2005, Abdul launched a cheerleading/fitness/dance DVD series called Cardio Cheer, which is marketed to children and teenage girls involved with cheerleading and dance.{{cite web|title=Paula Abdul: Cardio Cheer (2005)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497954/|website=imdb.com|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209183203/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497954/|archive-date=9 February 2017|url-status=live}} Abdul also choreographed The King's touchdown celebration, as seen in a string of Burger King television commercials that aired during the 2005–06 NFL season.[http://www.paulaabdul.com/Paula.htm The Official Website of Paula Abdul] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228102911/http://www.paulaabdul.com/Paula.htm|date=February 28, 2009}}. PaulaAbdul.com. Retrieved on February 24, 2008 In 2006, Abdul appeared on the third series of The X Factor UK as a guest judge during the auditions, sitting alongside judges Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh.

A second compilation album, Greatest Hits: Straight Up!, was released in 2007 by the Virgin label, who also made all of Abdul's releases under their label available for digital download on iTunes. That year, Bravo began airing a reality television series centered around Abdul, Hey Paula, which followed her through her day-to-day life.{{cite web |url=http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/78/16978.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070115124148/http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/78/16978.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 15, 2007 |title=On TV the week of June 27th, 2011 |publisher=MovieWeb.com |access-date=July 3, 2011 }} Abdul's behavior as depicted on the series was described as "erratic" by comedian Rosie O'Donnell and was criticized by audiences and critics, and Hey Paula was cancelled after a single season.{{cite web|last=Snow|first=Jess|url=http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272615124.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224106/http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272615124.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2007|title=Rosie O'Donnell in Reruns: Slams American Idol Judge Paula Abdul Again|publisher=National Ledger|date=July 31, 2007|access-date=July 3, 2011}}

File:Paula Abdul 2007.jpg at Smashbox Studios in March 2007]]

In 2007, Paula Abdul Jewelry launched its nationwide consumer debut on QVC, with the tagline "fashion jewelry designed with heart and soul."[http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/app.html/params.file.jwjw_paula_shop.html/left.html.file.jwview_all.html/walk.yah.1001ref=GJE&cm_ven=GOOGLEPAID&cm_cat=JEWELRY&cm_pla=PAULAJEWELRY&cm_ite=PAULA_ABDUL_JEWELRY] {{Dead link|date=November 2015}} Abdul's first QVC appearance resulted in 15 sellouts of her first jewelry collection involving more than 34,000 pieces.{{cite web|url=http://www.guyotbrothers.com/jewelry-industy-news/paula-abdul-jewelry-sells-out.htm |title=Paula Abdul Jewelry Sells Out | Paula Abdul Jewelry a QVC Smash Hit |publisher=Guyotbrothers.com |date=April 24, 2006 |access-date=July 3, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722073303/http://www.guyotbrothers.com/jewelry-industy-news/paula-abdul-jewelry-sells-out.htm |archive-date=July 22, 2011 }} In 2008, Abdul returned to music charts for the first time in nearly thirteen years with the single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow", the first track on the album Randy Jackson's Music Club Vol. 1.{{cite web|title=Dance Like There's No Tomorrow|url=http://www.paula-abdul.net/html/dance_like_there-s_no_tomorrow.php|website=paula-abdul.net|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019220302/http://www.paula-abdul.net/html/dance_like_there-s_no_tomorrow.php|archive-date=October 19, 2017|url-status=dead}} The song debuted on On Air with Ryan Seacrest,{{Cite web |title=Paula, Randy & Ryan Unveil Her New Single |url=https://people.com/celebrity/paula-randy-ryan-unveil-her-new-single/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204230744/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20172619,00.html |archive-date=2009-02-04 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=People.com |language=en}} and Abdul performed it during the pre-game show for Super Bowl XLII.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580867/american-idol-recap-paula-abdul-super-bowl-edition.jhtml|title='American Idol' Recap, Super Bowl Edition: Paula Abdul Defies Expectations with Pregame Show|access-date=February 5, 2011|publisher=MTV|date=February 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210115016/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580867/american-idol-recap-paula-abdul-super-bowl-edition.jhtml|archive-date=February 10, 2012|url-status=dead}} "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" was a modest comeback hit for Abdul, peaking at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. The moderate success led to reports of Abdul beginning work on a new album, but this never materialized.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/paula-abdul-confirms-new-album-tour-are-in-the-works-97107/|title=Paula Abdul Confirms New Album, Tour Are in the Works|access-date=February 29, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619063523/http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/02/21/paula-abdul-confirms-new-album-tour-are-in-the-works/|archive-date=June 19, 2008}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046329/paula-abdul-plotting-comeback-album|title=Paula Abdul Plotting Comeback Album|access-date=June 11, 2008|magazine=Billboard.com|date=March 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622172735/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046329/paula-abdul-plotting-comeback-album|archive-date=June 22, 2013|url-status=live}} Abdul also made a brief guest appearance on an episode of the British television series Hotel Babylon, which aired in the United Kingdom in February 2008.{{cite web|title=Guest artist profiles|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/02_february/08/babylon_guest.shtml|website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204101416/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/02_february/08/babylon_guest.shtml|archive-date=4 December 2017|url-status=live}}

In January 2009, Abdul hosted "RAH!," a cheerleading competition on MTV.{{cite book|title=The Year in Television, 2009: A Catalog of New and Continuing Series, Miniseries, Specials and TV Movies|date=Aug 30, 2010|publisher=McFarland|page=137|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GoKJZanh6TsC&q=paula+abdul+rah&pg=PA137|access-date=19 October 2017|isbn=9780786456444}} "RAH!" featured five collegiate squads competing in a series of challenges with Abdul crowning one the winner.{{Cite web |first= |date=2009-01-14 |title=Paula Abdul's Rah! Cheerleading Bowl |url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/rah/series.jhtml#bio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114202618/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/rah/series.jhtml#bio |archive-date=January 14, 2009 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=MTV.com}} In May 2009, Abdul debuted her latest original song to date, "I'm Just Here for the Music" (originally an unreleased song from Kylie Minogue's ninth album Body Language) on the Ryan Seacrest Radio KIIS-FM show and performed the single on the American Idol. "I'm Just Here for the Music" reached number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Abdul's fifteenth song to appear on the chart.[http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1611481/20090515/abdul_paula.jhtml]{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} May 15, 2009, VH1.com{{cite news|last=Trust|first=Gary|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-abdul-idUSTRE54E06J20090515?sp=true|title=|Idol judge Paula Abdul back on singles chart|date=May 15, 2009|publisher=Reuters.com|access-date=July 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619112659/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/05/15/us-abdul-idUSTRE54E06J20090515?sp=true|archive-date=June 19, 2012|url-status=live}}

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in July 2009, Abdul's manager David Sonenberg told the newspaper that, "Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on Idol."{{Cite web |last=Access |date=2009-07-18 |title=Manager: Paula Abdul ‘Hurt,’ ‘Angry,’ May Not Return To ‘Idol’ {{!}} Access Online |url=https://www.accessonline.com/articles/manager-paula-abdul-hurt-angry-may-not-return-to-idol-73955 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720200010/http://www.accesshollywood.com/manager-paula-abdul-hurt-angry-may-not-return-to-idol_article_20747 |archive-date=2009-07-20 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Access |language=en}} This came about as a result of stalled negotiations between Abdul and the series. In August, after numerous contract negotiations, Abdul confirmed that she would not return to Idol for its ninth season.{{Cite web |date=2009-08-05 |title=Paula Abdul: "I've Decided Not to Return to Idol" |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/137736/paula-abdul-i-ve-decided-not-to-return-to-idol |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806135800/http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b137736_paula_abdul_ive_decided_not_return_idol.html |archive-date=2009-08-06 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=E! Online}} The Times cited reports Abdul had been earning as much as $5 million per season and that she was reportedly seeking as much as $20 million to return.{{cite news|last=Bone|first=James|title=Paula Abdul quits American Idol|newspaper=The Times|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article6739864.ece|date=August 5, 2009|access-date=August 5, 2009|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615175040/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article6739864.ece|archive-date=June 15, 2011|url-status=dead}} Abdul was replaced by Ellen DeGeneres. Abdul claimed her departure from Idol was not about money, but that she had to stand on principle.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/paula-abdul-says-leaving-idol-wasnt-about-money/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902151025/http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/08/31/paula-abdul-says-leaving-idol-wasnt-about-money/|archive-date=September 2, 2009|url-status=live|title=Paula Abdul Says Leaving Idol Wasn't About Money |publisher=People |date=August 31, 2009 |access-date=July 3, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/paula-abdul-negotiating-return-idol-wbna32451728|title=Paula Abdul negotiating a return to 'Idol'|publisher=Today.com|date=August 17, 2009|access-date=July 3, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/08/paula-abdul-is-busy-planning-her-future----and-right-now-american-idol-is-not-a-part-of-it-----in-his-first-interview-since.html|title=Exclusive: Paula Abdul's manager: "There have been no discussions whatsoever about 'Idol'"|publisher=Latimesblogs.latimes.com|date=August 19, 2009|access-date=July 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709000406/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/08/paula-abdul-is-busy-planning-her-future----and-right-now-american-idol-is-not-a-part-of-it-----in-his-first-interview-since.html|archive-date=July 9, 2012|url-status=live}}

In January 2010, Abdul presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to choreographer Julie McDonald at the 11th Anniversary show of The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball.{{cite web|last=Dance Plug|title=Carnival Choreographer's Ball 11th Anniversary|url=http://www.dancebloggers.com/2010/02/carnival-choreographers-ball-11th-anniversary/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905024031/http://www.dancebloggers.com/2010/02/carnival-choreographers-ball-11th-anniversary/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-05|publisher=Dance Bloggers|access-date=October 8, 2011}} In November, Abdul launched and co-founded AuditionBooth.com, a website that allows aspiring talents to connect with casting directors, producers, and managers.{{cite web |url=http://www.auditionbooth.com/WhatWeDo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128020834/http://www.auditionbooth.com/WhatWeDo |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 28, 2010 |title=What We Do at Audition Booth web site |publisher=Auditionbooth.com |access-date=July 3, 2011 }}

File:Paula Abdul February 9, 2011.JPG in 2011]]

In January 2011, Abdul began appearing on the short-lived CBS reality competition series Live to Dance, where she was also an executive producer.{{cite news|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/paula-abdul-lands-new-tv-gig-2010245|title=Paula Abdul Lands a New TV Gig!|publisher=UsMagazine.com|access-date=2010-06-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527102234/http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/paula-abdul-lands-new-tv-gig-2010245|archive-date=2010-05-27|url-status=live}} Abdul said that unlike American Idol, Live to Dance is less about "competition" and more about "celebration".{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130205135944/http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20110204/ENTERTAINMENT05/102060311/Paula-Abdul-takes-on-her-extended-family-and-American-Idol "Paula Abdul takes on her 'extended family' and American Idol"]}} February 6, 2011, USA Weekend After its first season of seven episodes, it was cancelled by CBS.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Radar |date=2011-02-15 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Paula Abdul 'Devastated' After Being Told Show Is Cancelled |url=https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/02/exclusive-paula-abdul-devastated-after-being-told-show-cancelled/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715145321/http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/02/exclusive-paula-abdul-devastated-after-being-told-show-cancelled |archive-date=2011-07-15 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=RadarOnline |language=en-US}} In May 2011, it was announced that Abdul would rejoin Cowell on the first season of the American edition of The X Factor.{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/paula-abdul-closes-deal-join-186371|title=Paula Abdul Closes Deal to Join Simon Cowell as 'X Factor' Judge|work=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Beloni|first=Matthew|date=May 8, 2011|access-date=May 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509025625/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/paula-abdul-closes-deal-join-186371|archive-date=May 9, 2011|url-status=live}} In January 2012, Abdul announced that she would not return as a judge for the series' second season.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/01/31/paula-abdul-x-factor/|title=Paula Abdul confirms 'X Factor' exit|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830045539/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/01/31/paula-abdul-x-factor/|archive-date=30 August 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/01/30/nicole-scherzinger/|title='X Factor' shake-up: Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger out|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217050607/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/01/30/nicole-scherzinger/|archive-date=17 December 2014|url-status=live}} Abdul was replaced by Britney Spears. In October 2012, Abdul served as a guest judge during week four of the All-Stars version of Dancing with the Stars.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/10/08/paula-abdul-to-guest-judge-on-dancing-with-the-stars/|title=Paula Abdul to guest judge on 'Dancing with the Stars'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Lynette|last=Rice|access-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201225525/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/10/08/paula-abdul-to-guest-judge-on-dancing-with-the-stars/|archive-date=1 February 2014|url-status=dead}} In April 2013, Abdul appeared on the Top 5 results show of season 12 of American Idol to compliment contestant Candice Glover on her performance of "Straight Up".{{cite news | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-recap-paula-abdul-442298 | work=The Hollywood Reporter | first=Erin | last=Carlson | title='American Idol' Recap: Paula Abdul Makes Triumphant Return; Another Finalist Bites the Dust | date=April 18, 2013 | access-date=April 19, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421050919/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-recap-paula-abdul-442298 | archive-date=April 21, 2013 | url-status=live }}

On July 9, 2013, Abdul was a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance (season ten).{{Cite web |title=Paula Abdul to Guest-Judge on 'So You Think You Can Dance' Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 9, on FOX |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/07/08/paula-abdul-to-guest-judge-on-so-you-think-you-can-dance-tomorrow-tuesday-july-9-on-fox/190839/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714010756/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/07/08/paula-abdul-to-guest-judge-on-so-you-think-you-can-dance-tomorrow-tuesday-july-9-on-fox/190839/ |archive-date=July 14, 2013 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com |language=en}} In October 2013, Abdul was named as a judge on the revamped So You Think You Can Dance Australia, which aired on Australia's Network Ten from February 9 through May 1, 2014. Abdul was present as a permanent member of the judge's panel for all episodes of this season. She later became a permanent judge of the American version starting with its twelfth season.{{Cite web |title=Paula Abdul, Jason Derulo join 'So You Think You Can Dance' as judges |url=https://ew.com/so-you-think-you-can-dance/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509045331/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/01/22/paula-abdul-jason-derulo-join-so-you-think-you-can-dance-as-judges |archive-date=2015-05-09 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=EW.com |language=en}} In January 2017, Abdul announced that she would not be returning as a judge for its fourteenth season because of her tour schedule.{{Cite web |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=2017-01-30 |title=‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Renewed for Season 14 at Fox, Paula Abdul Not Returning as Judge |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/so-you-think-you-can-dance-renewed-season-14-fox-1201973308/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910201338/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/so-you-think-you-can-dance-renewed-season-14-fox-1201973308/ |archive-date=2017-09-10 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

In April 2014, Abdul was a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race (episode "Queens of Talk"), which reunited her with previous Idol contestant Adore Delano. In June 2014, Abdul made a cameo appearance on the Australian soap opera Neighbours and shared scenes with established character Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher).{{cite web|title=Paula Abdul films Neighbours cameo: Who's 'Knocked Out' by popstar?|url=http://www.digitalspy.com.au/soaps/s14/neighbours/news/a579219/paula-abdul-films-neighbours-cameo-whos-knocked-out-by-popstar.html|last=Dainty|first=Sophie|work=Digital Spy|date=June 20, 2014|access-date=June 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622040737/http://www.digitalspy.com.au/soaps/s14/neighbours/news/a579219/paula-abdul-films-neighbours-cameo-whos-knocked-out-by-popstar.html|archive-date=June 22, 2014|url-status=dead}} In 2015, Abdul made a guest appearance on the comedy sitcom Real Husbands of Hollywood on its season 4 premiere. She was shown in a comedic scene with Arsenio Hall where she was trying to kick Hall out of her pool house. On November 16, 2015, Abdul along with Charles "Chucky" Klapow, Renee Richie, and Nakul Dev Mahajan won the World Choreography Award for Outstanding Choreography Digital Format for the video 'Check Yourself'. On November 22, 2015, Abdul and Donnie Wahlberg presented Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock at the 43rd American Music Awards; the award Abdul won at the 1990 AMAs, presented to her by Wahlberg.

On August 6, 2016, Abdul performed a full headline set for the first time in 26 years at the Mixtape Festival in Hershey, Pennsylvania.{{cite web|url=http://www.wzzm13.com/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/exclusive-paula-abdul-on-performing-her-hits-in-concert-for-the-first-time-in-26-years-it-was/291156456|title=EXCLUSIVE: Paula Abdul on Performing Her Hits in Concert for the First Time in 26 Years: 'It Was|website=Wzzm13.com|access-date=30 January 2018}}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In November 2016, New Kids on the Block announced that Abdul would be touring with them and Boyz II Men on their Total Package Tour in 2017; her first tour in 25 years.{{cite magazine |last1=Billboard |title=NKOTB Announce 'Total Package' Tour with Boyz II Men, Paula Abdul |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7580296/nkotb-total-package-tour-boyz-ii-men-paula-abdul |access-date=June 23, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |date=November 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624073308/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7580296/nkotb-total-package-tour-boyz-ii-men-paula-abdul |archive-date=June 24, 2018 |url-status=live }} The tour began on May 12 in Columbus, Ohio, and concluded on July 16, 2017, in Hollywood, Florida, for a total of 47 shows.{{Cite web |url=http://nkotb.com/events |title=Events : New Kids on the Block |access-date=2015-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315010604/http://nkotb.com/events/ |archive-date=2015-03-15 |url-status=dead }}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore/|title=Billboard Boxscore :: Current Scores|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525190629/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore/|archive-date=May 25, 2017}} In an interview with Elle magazine, Abdul stated there were "many reasons" she decided to return to the stage after over two decades, saying: "I took a long break and had sustained some injuries in the past. Then I returned to television with American Idol and that took up a good decade of my life. Then I went out to do some more television, as well. I always wanted to get back on stage, because I missed it. I wanted to get back in close contact with the people who have supported me all throughout my career and be able to see them again. Plus, I was getting asked all the time if I would ever do it again! I finally said, You know what, I want to and I'm going to make it a priority. I'm really passionate about it and it's fun, and I want to connect with my fans around the country."{{cite magazine |last1=Locker |first1=Melissa |title=Paula Abdul on Whether She'd Ever Return to American Idol, Touring With NKOTB, and Her Obsession With Scandal |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/music/news/a45355/paula-abdul-tour/ |access-date=June 23, 2018 |magazine=Elle |date=May 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623222115/https://www.elle.com/culture/music/news/a45355/paula-abdul-tour/ |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |url-status=live }}

In July 2018, Abdul announced that she would embark on a solo headlining tour across North America that fall, entitled Straight Up Paula!, as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of her debut studio album Forever Your Girl.{{cite news |last1=Varga |first1=George |title=Paula Abdul to kick off 30th anniversary 'Straight Up Paula!' tour in October |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sd-me-music-paula-abdul-tour-20180709-story.html |access-date=July 19, 2018 |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |date=July 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719233314/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sd-me-music-paula-abdul-tour-20180709-story.html |archive-date=July 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Seemayer |first1=Zach |title=Paula Abdul's Back on Tour -- Here Are Some of Her on-the-Road Must-Haves! (Exclusive) |url=https://www.etonline.com/paula-abduls-back-on-tour-here-are-some-of-her-on-the-road-must-haves-exclusive-105731 |access-date=July 19, 2018 |publisher=Entertainment Tonight |date=July 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719233544/https://www.etonline.com/paula-abduls-back-on-tour-here-are-some-of-her-on-the-road-must-haves-exclusive-105731 |archive-date=July 19, 2018 |url-status=dead }} The tour began in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on October 18 and concluded in Los Angeles, California, on June 7, 2019, for a total of 25 shows.

Abdul performed a medley of her greatest hits at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, closing out the show.{{cite web|url=https://www.accessonline.com/articles/paula-abdul-will-close-out-the-2019-billboard-music-awards-with-6-minute-medley-exclusive|title=Paula Abdul Will Close Out The 2019 Billboard Music Awards With 6-Minute Medley! (Exclusive)|work=Access Hollywood|access-date=May 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430233814/https://www.accessonline.com/articles/paula-abdul-will-close-out-the-2019-billboard-music-awards-with-6-minute-medley-exclusive|archive-date=April 30, 2019|url-status=dead}} On May 1, 2019, Abdul announced her first Las Vegas residency, Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl. The residency's first leg began on August 13, the first of 20 dates, ending in January 2020.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8509517/paula-abdul-launch-las-vegas-residency-forever-your-girl|title=Paula Abdul to Launch Las Vegas Residency In August: Exclusive|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501171648/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8509517/paula-abdul-launch-las-vegas-residency-forever-your-girl|archive-date=May 1, 2019|url-status=live}} On June 7, 2019, Abdul opened LA Pride.{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/paula-abdul-to-open-la-pride-weekend-with-a-free-outdoor-concert-exclusive-124309|title=Paula Abdul to Open LA Pride Weekend With a Free Outdoor Concert (Exclusive)|work=Entertainment Tonight|access-date=May 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501000558/https://www.etonline.com/paula-abdul-to-open-la-pride-weekend-with-a-free-outdoor-concert-exclusive-124309|archive-date=May 1, 2019|url-status=dead}}

Abdul also performed at the fourteenth series finale of America's Got Talent with Light Balance Kids, Brian King Joseph, and Tyler Butler-Figueroa to surprise Cowell. In October 2020, it was announced that Abdul would serve as a panelist for Fox's reality competition, The Masked Dancer.{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/the-masked-singer-spinoff-masked-dancer-finds-host-and-celebrity-panelists-155523|title='The Masked Singer' Spinoff 'Masked Dancer' Finds Host and Celebrity Panelists|work=Entertainment Tonight|date=October 28, 2020|access-date=October 29, 2020}} In April 2021, ABC announced that Abdul would return to American Idol as a guest-judge while Luke Bryan was out sick after being diagnosed with COVID-19.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/american-idol-paula-abdul-guest-judge-luke-bryan-covid/|title='Paula Abdul returning to American Idol as guest judge while Luke Bryan recovers from COVID|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 12, 2021|access-date=April 12, 2021}} She returned as a guest judge on Dancing with the Stars for Music Video Night in its 32nd season.{{cite press release|url=https://www.dgepress.com/abc/pressrelease/dancing-with-the-stars-hits-play-on-music-video-night-nov-7/|title=Dancing with the Stars Hits Play on 'Music Video Night' Nov. 7|publisher=ABC|via=Disney General Entertainment Content Press|date=November 2, 2023|access-date=November 5, 2023|archive-date=November 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103060641/https://www.dgepress.com/abc/pressrelease/dancing-with-the-stars-hits-play-on-music-video-night-nov-7/|url-status=dead}} In 2023, Abdul joined the producing team of the Broadway musical How to Dance in Ohio.{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Chloe |title=Ludacris and Paula Abdul Join HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO Producing Team |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ludacris-and-Paula-Abdul-Join-HOW-TO-DANCE-IN-OHIO-Producing-Team-20231207 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}} She also appeared as a contestant on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/paula-abdul-celebrity-wheel-of-fortune-scream-exclusive-video-1235556084/|title=Watch Paula Abdul Lose It Over a 'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune' Puzzle|magazine=Billboard|date=December 13, 2023|access-date=December 14, 2023}} In 2024, Abdul co-headlines The Magic Summer Tour.{{cite web | last=Dutt | first=Sonal | title=NKOTB Announce Magic Summer Tour with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff | website=Peoplemag | date=2023-10-30 | url=https://people.com/nkotb-magic-summer-2024-tour-paula-abdul-dj-jazzy-jeff-dates-8384207 | access-date=2023-11-01}} Her Straight Up! to Canada Tour that was scheduled to commence in September 2024 has since been cancelled.{{cite web | author=David Friend| agency=The Canadian Press | title=Hats off! Paula Abdul lines up Tiffany and Taylor Dayne for Canadian tour | website=Toronto Star | date=June 4, 2024 | url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/hats-off-paula-abdul-lines-up-tiffany-and-taylor-dayne-for-canadian-tour/article_c536f206-2c9d-5d97-acd9-13570bbc9ff1.amp.html | access-date=June 4, 2024}}

On 2 March 2025, Abdul was a panel judge in the first round of the tenth series of Let's Dance, Slovak adaptation of Strictly Come Dancing, presented by TV Markíza. The show was broadcast from Incheba in Bratislava, Slovakia.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-01 |title=Vrúcne objatia na parkete: Paula Abdul prekvapila účastníkov Let's Dance {{!}} TV Markíza |url=https://www.markiza.sk/relacie/let-s-dance/clanok/954791-vrucne-objatia-na-parkete-paula-abdul-prekvapila-ucastnikov |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=TV Markíza |language=sk}}{{Cite web |last=Gáfrik |first=Zdeno |date=2025-03-01 |title=Megastar Paula Abdul pre Pravdu: Na Slovensku sú krásne duše. Do poroty Let's Dance sa teším, prináša umenie, ktoré vás navždy zmení |url=https://koktail.pravda.sk/z-obrazovky-i-spoza-nej/clanok/742853-paula-abdul-exkluzivne-pre-pravdu-na-slovensku-su-krasne-duse-do-let-s-dance-sa-tesim-prinasa-umenie-ktora-vas-navzdy-zmeni/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Pravda |language=sk-SK}}

Abdul married actor Emilio Estevez in 1992, and filed for divorce in 1994.{{cite news|url=https://people.com/archive/chatter-vol-39-no-5/|title=Chatter|last=Cunningham|first=Kim|date=February 8, 1993|work=People|access-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109215158/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20109752,00.html|archive-date=January 9, 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-suddenly-single-vol-42-no-9/|title=Suddenly Single|last=Glick|first=Elizabeth|date=August 29, 1994|work=People|access-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110164207/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20186997,00.html|archive-date=January 10, 2011|url-status=live}} In 1995, Abdul stated that the reason for their divorce was that she wanted children and Estevez, who had two children from a previous relationship, did not.{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/1998/04/24/paula-abdul-and-emilio-estevez-together-forever/|title=Paula Abdul and Emilio Estevez together forever?|first=Michael|last=Sauter|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 24, 1998|access-date=November 10, 2020}} Abdul married clothing designer Brad Beckerman in 1996, at the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, Connecticut. They filed for divorce in 1998, after 17 months of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/36074/paula-abdul-splits-from-hubby|title=Paula Abdul Splits from Hubby|last=Errico|first=Marcus|date=March 10, 1998|website=E! Online|access-date=April 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923051329/http://www.eonline.com/news/36074/paula-abdul-splits-from-hubby|archive-date=September 23, 2017|url-status=live}}

Abdul is observant in her Jewish faith,{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yYrLwO0cIk |title=Paula Abdul... "a good Jewish girl." |date=2007 |medium=YouTube video |publisher=Gershon Veroba |location=Bel Air, California |access-date=2016-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101145050/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yYrLwO0cIk |archive-date=2016-01-01 |url-status=live |people=Gershon Veroba}} and is proud of her heritage. She once stated, "My father is a Syrian Jew whose family immigrated to Brazil. My mother is Canadian with Jewish roots. My dream is to go to Israel for a real holiday." In November 2006, when Israeli Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog invited her to Israel, Abdul responded with a hug, adding, "I will come; you have helped me make a dream come true."{{cite news |date=November 17, 2006 |title=Israeli minister, American Idol |work=YNET News |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3328923,00.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309184857/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3328923,00.html |archive-date=March 9, 2009}} In 2013, at the age of 51, Abdul had her bat mitzvah in Safed, Israel, at the International Center for Tzfat Kabbalah,{{cite news |date=November 5, 2013 |title=Paula Abdul Celebrates Bat Mitzvah In Safed, Israel Known For kabbalah |work= Huffington Post |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/06/paula-abdul-bat-mitzvah-video-israel_n_4226165.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111121440/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/06/paula-abdul-bat-mitzvah-video-israel_n_4226165.html |archive-date=November 11, 2013}} a museum and spiritual retreat for the study of Kabbalah – Jewish mysticism. In 2003, Abdul was reported as a practitioner of Transcendental Meditation.{{cite book |last=Cooke de Herrera |first=Nancy |title=All You Need Is Love: An Eyewitness Account of When Spirituality Spread from the East to the West |publisher=Joodere Group |year=2003 |location=San Diego |page=438}}

Abdul is a dog lover who raised awareness about National Guide Dog Month in May 2009, and she teamed up with Dick Van Patten to help people with blindness to have more independence through the help of guide dogs.{{cite news |last=Mitchell |first=E. |date=May 7, 2009 |title=Paula Abdul & Guide Dogs |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/filmhound/archives/168170.asp?from=blog_last3 |url-status=live |access-date=May 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816165145/http://blog.seattlepi.com/filmhound/archives/168170.asp?from=blog_last3 |archive-date=August 16, 2010}} She does not wear real fur.{{cite web |date=May 29, 2011 |title=Paula Abdul's faux fur vest |url=http://thegloss.com/culture/paula-abduls-faux-fur-vest/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916104436/http://www.thegloss.com/culture/paula-abduls-faux-fur-vest/ |archive-date=2018-09-16 |access-date=2011-05-29 |website=The Gloss }}

Abdul has said that she was injured in a plane crash in 1992 during her Under My Spell Tour, necessitating 15 cervical spinal surgeries. When, in 2020, some gossip sites, including Jezebel, questioned the veracity of this, Abdul responded during an interview with Yahoo Entertainment, stating "You know what? It's like, there are seven other people that were on the plane, who were in that plane accident with me. So, I really don't care what people have to say. I don't."{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Lyndsey |title=Paula Abdul opens up about mysterious 1992 plane crash: 'I didn't want to talk too much about it{{'-}} |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/paula-abdul-opens-up-about-mysterious-1993-plane-crash-i-didnt-want-to-talk-too-much-about-it-182841961.html |publisher=Yahoo! Entertainment |date=March 11, 2020 |access-date=28 September 2020}}{{Importance inline|date=December 2022}} Abdul has insisted in interviews that the reason the crash has no official NTSB record or was documented in the media at the time is because the occupants on the plane signed non-disclosure agreements .

In 1994, Abdul sought treatment for bulimia nervosa, which she revealed years later had first developed during her teens and only intensified after she became a pop star. She said: "I learned at a very early age I didn't fit in physically. I learned through years of rejections from auditions. I would ask myself, 'Why can't I be tall and skinny like the other dancers?' I felt nervous and out of control, and all I could think about was food. Food numbed the fear and anxiety. I'd eat and then run to the bathroom."

In 2005, Abdul said she had been diagnosed in November 2004 with a neurological disorder causing chronic pain, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), following a "cheerleading accident" at age 17.{{cite news |date=April 20, 2005 |title=Abdul says odd behavior not drug-related |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-04-20-paula-abdul_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=April 20, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219100216/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-04-20-paula-abdul_x.htm |archive-date=February 19, 2006}} She discussed the diagnosis in response to allegations of drug use.

In April 2006, Abdul filed a report at a Hollywood police station stating she had been a victim of battery at a private party at about 1 am on April 2, according to LAPD spokesman Lt. Paul Vernon.{{cite news |date=April 7, 2006 |title=Paula Abdul tells police she was assaulted at LA party |work=Augusta Chronicle |url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/things-do/2006-04-07/paula-abdul-tells-police-she-was-assaulted-la-party |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019220909/http://chronicle.augusta.com/things-do/2006-04-07/paula-abdul-tells-police-she-was-assaulted-la-party |archive-date=19 October 2017}} "According to Abdul, the man at the party argued with her, grabbed her by the arm and threw her against a wall," Vernon said. "She said she had sustained a concussion and spinal injuries."{{cite news |date=April 6, 2006 |title=Paula Abdul Tells Police She Was Assaulted |work=MTV |agency=AP |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1528105/paula-abdul-tells-police-she-was-assaulted-at-party/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229061002/http://www.mtv.com/news/1528105/paula-abdul-tells-police-she-was-assaulted-at-party/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |access-date=February 29, 2020}}

Substance abuse allegations arose as the result of what some described as "erratic behavior" by Abdul during episodes of American Idol. After reading these allegations on message boards, Abdul told People in April 2005 about her RSD diagnosis; she added that she was pain-free following treatment with anti-inflammatory medication. Allegations arose again in January 2007 when videos circulated on the Internet of Abdul appearing to sway in her chair and slur her speech during a set of interviews.{{cite news |date=January 15, 2007 |title=Paula Abdul seen slurring in TV interview |work=Today.com |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/paula-abdul-seen-slurring-tv-interview-wbna16611216 |access-date=April 9, 2007}} Abdul's publicist attributed this to fatigue and technical difficulties during the recording of the interviews. It was revealed on the Bravo show Hey Paula, which had followed Abdul with a video camera prior to the interviews, that Abdul had not been sleeping, perhaps suffering from some mild form of insomnia.{{cite web |author=Andy Dehnart |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=June 29, 2007 |title=Paula Abdul's loopy TV interviews blamed on exhaustion, insomnia, the flu, audio problems |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/hey_paula/2007_Jun_29_breakdown_episode |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014053/http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/hey_paula/2007_Jun_29_breakdown_episode |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=July 26, 2012 |website=Reality Blurred}} In February 2007, Abdul told Us Weekly that she had never been drunk or used illegal drugs, and called the allegations "lies".{{cite news |date=February 13, 2007 |title=Paula Abdul claims she's 'squeaky clean' |work=Today.com |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/paula-abdul-claims-she-s-squeaky-clean-wbna17138450 |url-status=live |access-date=February 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214102108/http://www.today.com/popculture/paula-abdul-claims-she-s-squeaky-clean-wbna17138450 |archive-date=February 14, 2017}}

In May 2009, Ladies' Home Journal posted an article on its website that said that Abdul told them she stayed at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California, for three days the previous year to recover from physical dependence on prescription pain medications.{{cite web |date=May 8, 2009 |title=Paula Abdul: No Painkillers, No Rehab |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/122701/paula-abdul-no-painkillers-no-rehab |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130205144/http://www.eonline.com/news/122701/paula-abdul-no-painkillers-no-rehab |archive-date=30 January 2018 |access-date=30 January 2018 |website=E! Online}}{{cite news |date=5 May 2009 |title=Paula Abdul Reveals Struggle with Prescription Painkillers |work=People |url=https://people.com/celebrity/paula-abdul-reveals-struggle-with-prescription-painkillers/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507183507/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20276698,00.html |archive-date=7 May 2009}} The medications, prescribed due to injuries and her RSD diagnosis, included a pain patch, nerve medication, and a muscle relaxant. According to the article, Abdul said the medications made her "get weird" at times and that she suffered from physical withdrawal symptoms during her recovery. Later that same week, in an interview with Detroit radio station WKQI, Abdul rejected the article's accuracy. She told the radio station she never checked into a rehab clinic and never had a drug abuse problem.{{cite web |title=Paula Abdul Denies Report She Abused Painkillers; Magazine Stands by Story |url=http://www.tvguide.com/American-Idol/Paula-Abdul-Denies-1005889.aspx?imw=Y |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128175649/http://www.tvguide.com/American-Idol/Paula-Abdul-Denies-1005889.aspx?imw=Y |archive-date=January 28, 2012 |access-date=May 8, 2009 |website=TVGuide.com}}

In December 2004, Abdul was driving her Mercedes-Benz on a Los Angeles-area freeway when she changed lanes and hit another vehicle, but did not stop or render assistance.{{cite news |date=26 March 2005 |title=Abdul sentenced for traffic accident |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-mar-26-et-quick26.3-story.html |access-date=19 October 2017}} The driver and passenger took a photograph with a cell phone camera and wrote down the license plate number of the car, which was traced to Abdul. In March 2005, Abdul was fined US$900 and given 24 months of informal probation after pleading nolo contendere (no contest) to misdemeanor hit-and-run driving. She was ordered to pay US$775 for damage to the other car.{{cite news |date=March 24, 2005 |title='Idol' Judge Fined For Hit-And-Run |work=CBS News |agency=AP |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/idol-judge-fined-for-hit-and-run/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203175443/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/24/entertainment/main683012.shtml |archive-date=February 3, 2007}}

In May 2005, ABC's Primetime Live reported claims by season 2 American Idol contestant Corey Clark that he and Abdul had had an affair during that season, and that she had coached him on how to succeed in the competition.{{cite web |title=Corey Clark Says Paula 'Told Me She Loved Me' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1501446/corey-clark-says-paula-abdul-told-me-she-loved-me/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019215703/http://www.mtv.com/news/1501446/corey-clark-says-paula-abdul-told-me-she-loved-me/ |archive-date=19 October 2017 |access-date=19 October 2017 |website=MTV News}} Some considered Clark's timing suspicious as he was marketing a CD and trying to get a book deal, but Clark said that his career was being prejudiced because of his relationship with Abdul, and that is why he came forward with the information to clear his name.

For the most part, Abdul refused to comment on Clark's allegations. Simon Cowell came to Abdul's defense,{{cite web |date=10 January 2007 |title=Paula Abdul: Simon Saved Me! |url=http://www.extratv.com/2007/01/10/paula-abdul-simon-saved-me/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031053656/http://extratv.com/2007/01/10/paula-abdul-simon-saved-me/ |archive-date=31 October 2015 |access-date=July 26, 2012 |work=The Extra! TV Web site, Celebrity Highlights section |publisher=Time Telepictures Productions, distributed by Warner Bros}} stating, "It was just somebody using her to get a lot of publicity for an appalling record, full stop."{{cite web |date=May 11, 2005 |title=Simon Cowell Says Corey Clark Is A Creep |url=http://popdirt.com/simon-cowell-says-corey-clark-is-a-creep/38790/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104134152/http://popdirt.com/simon-cowell-says-corey-clark-is-a-creep/38790/ |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |access-date=July 26, 2012 |website=POPDIRT.com }}{{cite web |date=May 10, 2005 |title=Simon Says Clark's A Creep |url=http://telepixtvcgi.warnerbros.com/v2/news/0505/10/2/text.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724144058/http://telepixtvcgi.warnerbros.com/v2/news/0505/10/2/text.html |archive-date=July 24, 2009 |access-date=July 26, 2012 |website=Extra! TV |publisher=Time Telepictures Productions and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution}} Abdul appeared in a Saturday Night Live skit, making light of the situation.{{cite news |date=May 11, 2005 |title=Abdul pokes fun at sex scandal on 'SNL' |work=Today.com |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/abdul-pokes-funat-sex-scandalon-snl-wbna7761754 |access-date=February 12, 2007}} In August 2005, the Fox network confirmed that Abdul would be returning to the show, as the investigation had found "insufficient evidence that the communications between Mr. Clark and Ms. Abdul in any way aided his performance".{{cite news |date=August 24, 2005 |title=After probe, Paula Abdul to remain on 'Idol' |work=Today.com |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/after-probe-paula-abdul-remain-idol-wbna8931265 |access-date=February 12, 2007}}

On November 11, 2008, a 30-year-old woman named Paula Goodspeed was found dead in her car outside of Abdul's Los Angeles home in Sherman Oaks, California.{{cite web |author=Greg Braxton |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jan-21-et-abdul21-story.html |title=Paula Abdul embraces 'American Idol,' survives controversy - Los Angeles Times |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |date=2009-01-21 |access-date=2012-09-22 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707082927/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jan/21/entertainment/et-abdul21 |archive-date=2012-07-07 |url-status=live }} The death was ruled a suicide by drug overdose, and she was found surrounded by prescription pills, along with photos and CDs of Abdul. Goodspeed was an obsessive fan of Abdul, having legally changed her name to Paula, drawn many pictures of her, sent her flowers and auditioned for Abdul on season 5 of American Idol in 2005 at a stop in Austin, Texas, before being dismissed from the show.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=6241069&page=1|title=Obsessive Fan of Paula Abdul Commits Suicide|date=November 13, 2008|work=ABC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207134636/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=6241069&page=1|archive-date=7 December 2008|df=dmy-all|access-date=6 September 2017}} Goodspeed had been accused in the press of being a celebrity stalker but her relatives disputed the claim.{{cite magazine |last=Fleeman |first=Mike |url=https://people.com/crime/paula-goodspeed-sent-abdul-flowers-days-before-suicide/|title=Paula Goodspeed Sent Abdul Flowers Days Before Suicide|magazine=People|date=2008-11-14 |access-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922232213/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20240399,00.html |archive-date=September 22, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Anita |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/3454575/American-Idol-contestant-Paula-Goodspeed-humiliated-by-rude-Cowell-say-family.html |title=American Idol contestant Paula Goodspeed humiliated by 'rude' Cowell, say family |newspaper=Telegraph |date=2008-11-13 |access-date=May 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007195312/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/3454575/American-Idol-contestant-Paula-Goodspeed-humiliated-by-rude-Cowell-say-family.html |archive-date=October 7, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|first1=Nancy|last1=Dillon|title=Friends defend Paula Abdul fan who committed suicide|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/friends-defend-paula-abdul-fan-committed-suicide-article-1.334516|work=New York Daily News|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612052901/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/friends-defend-paula-abdul-fan-committed-suicide-article-1.334516|archive-date=June 12, 2019|url-status=live}}

On December 29, 2023, Abdul filed a lawsuit accusing producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault when they worked together on American Idol in the 2000s. Lythgoe denied the allegations.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/30/arts/music/paula-abdul-lawsuit-nigel-lythgoe.html |title=Paula Abdul Accuses Nigel Lythgoe of Sexual Assault During 'American Idol' |date=2023-12-30 |last=Jacobs |first=Julia |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=2023-12-30}} It was reported in December 2024 that the case had been settled.{{cite web | url=https://news.sky.com/story/paula-abdul-settles-sexual-assault-lawsuit-with-former-american-idol-producer-nigel-lythgoe-13273115 | title=Paula Abdul settles sexual assault lawsuit with former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe }} Abdul commented on the settlement, "I am grateful that this chapter has successfully come to a close and is now something I can now put behind me," while expressing optimism that her experience could inspire women facing similar obstacles.{{Cite web |title= Paula Abdul settles suit alleging sexual assault by 'Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe|website=NPR |date=December 13, 2024 |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/12/13/nx-s1-5228180/paula-abdul-american-idol-nigel-lythgoe-sexual-assault-lawsuit}}

{{Main|Paula Abdul discography}}

;Studio albums

• Forever Your Girl (1988)
• Spellbound (1991)
• Head over Heels (1995)

Headlining

• Under My Spell Tour (1991–92)
• Straight Up Paula! (2018–19)
• Straight Up! to Canada Tour (2024; cancelled)

Co-headlining

• Club MTV Live (1989){{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-07-02-ca-4871-story.html |title='Club MTV' Hits the Road and It's Live |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |date=July 2, 1989 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005130010/http://articles.latimes.com/1989-07-02/entertainment/ca-4871_1_club-mtv |archive-date=October 5, 2018 |url-status=live }}
• Total Package Tour (2017) (with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men)
• The Magic Summer Tour (2024) (with New Kids on the Block and DJ Jazzy Jeff)

Residency

• Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl (2019–20)

• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
• List of artists who reached number one on the Australian singles chart

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=paula-abdul-mn0000031380}}
• {{IMDb name|0000716}}
• {{NYTtopic|people/a/paula_abdul}}

{{Paula Abdul}}

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