Paula Abdul: Super Bowl Queen
American Idol Judge to Perform at Halftime, Superbowl Sunday
Jan 31, 2008
Paula Abdul hits centre stage Sunday during the Super Bowl's halftime show. The '80s pop queen will perform her comeback single Dance Like There's No Tomorrow.
In recent years, Abdul has reclaimed fame in her role as one of the judges on American Idol. She's the nice judge, the one who claps for even the most awful singers. She likes to mentor the underdog. She's also the judge who is rumoured to have had an affair with a contestant a few years back. (Remember contestant Corey Clark in 2003?)
Abdul on American Idol
Her behaviour on American Idol has consistently been odd. She coos, she has an awkwardly and weird way of clapping. She wears bangles up to her elbows that jingle and jangle and you can count on her to sport a blouse that's cut down to China and the highest of high heels. She's not always lucid, she sometimes slurs her words and she always seems a few beats away from clawing out fellow judge Simon Cowell's eyes but that's what makes the show and Abdul so compelling.
Fans could be forgiven for crossing their fingers on Sunday as Abdul doesn't seem steady on her feet at the best of times. She has had some medical scares. A manicure gone awry resulted in Abdul needing surgery on a finger and she wore a sling for much of the judging; then just before the finale of season six, Abdul broke her nose after falling over her dog (at least that's what all the reports said). The finale may be a distant memory but the sight of the pint-sized singer with a black and blue face haunts viewers still.
Abdul Began as an L.A. Laker Cheerleader
Abdul began her career on the L.A. Lakers cheerleading squad. She did some choreography for Prince and Janet Jackson, and even the Oscars. She was successful for a short while as a singer with the release of three original albums. Her most famous hits includ Straight Up, Forever Your Girl, and Cold Hearted. She even snagged Keanu Reeves for one of her videos and primetime host Arsenio Hall. Briefly she was married to Emilio Estevez (Charlie Sheen's brother and Martin Sheen's son). She took on some acting gigs appearing on Spin City, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, and The Wayans Bros.
Most recently she starred in (her own very depressing) reality show on Bravo! titled Hey Paula. Cameras followed her around and viewers got to see how lonely Abdul really is, seeking affection from her housekeeper, the hairdresser, dog walker, and anyone else who happens to be passing by.
Millions will watch her on Sunday.
