Paula Abdul: The Iconic Journey Of A Multitalented Star

What's Paula Abdul's Current Net Worth and Earnings?

Let's talk about Paula Abdul, the one and only. She's not just a dancer, singer, or choreographer—she's all of that and more. Paula Abdul's current net worth stands at an impressive $20 million. But how did she get there? Let’s dive into her fascinating journey.

Paula’s career is nothing short of legendary. Over four decades, she's worn many hats—choreographer, pop star, reality TV sensation, and more. It all started when she auditioned for the Laker Girls cheerleading squad, where she quickly rose to become the head choreographer. This role opened doors for her, leading to high-profile gigs choreographing for TV, music videos, films, and tours. She worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including the entire Jackson family, choreographing Janet Jackson's iconic "Control" tour.

But Paula didn't stop there. She also choreographed memorable sequences for movies like "Big," "Coming to America," "Jerry Maguire," "American Beauty," and "Can't Buy Me Love." Her work earned her an Emmy, but that was just the beginning. In the '90s, Paula launched a hugely successful music career, scoring six number-one hits and winning a Grammy Award. After stepping away from the spotlight, she returned as a judge on "American Idol," where she stayed until 2009. During her time there, she sought a salary increase from $5-8 million per year to $20 million, but negotiations didn’t work out, and she left the show.

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Even after "Idol," Paula kept busy. She judged other shows, continued choreographing, and made a splash back into pop culture. She hosted two seasons of "So You Think You Can Dance" and judged the first season of the U.S. version of "The X Factor." Fans tuned in just to see her reunited with Simon Cowell, reminiscing about their "Idol" days.

How Much Did Paula Abdul Earn on "American Idol"?

• When Paula Abdul first joined "American Idol," early reports suggest her salary was around $1 million per year. Not bad for the early seasons, right?
• By 2008, after renegotiating her contract, Paula was reportedly making anywhere from $5 million to $8 million per season. That's quite the raise!
• By her eighth season, some reports indicate her salary may have peaked at $8 million. But hey, she was worth every penny.

How Does Paula's Salary Compare to Other Judges?

• Randy Jackson: He earned in the same ballpark as Paula, roughly $5 million to $6.5 million per season. They were on the same page, financially speaking.
• Simon Cowell: Now, Simon was in a league of his own, making a whopping $36 million per season. That’s a big difference, and it might have played a role in Paula's decision to leave. But despite the disparity, Paula has always been supportive of her fellow judges. When asked about Katy Perry's rumored $25 million salary, she simply said, "Good for her!"

Paula Abdul's Early Life: The Beginning of a Star

Paula Abdul was born Paula Julie Abdul on June 19, 1962, in San Fernando, California. From an early age, it was clear she was destined for greatness. She started taking dance lessons and was already a cheerleader and honor student at Van Nuys High School. In 1980, she enrolled at California State University, Northridge, where her talent caught the eye of the LA Lakers. Out of 700 candidates, she was chosen to be a "Laker Girl" cheerleader. A year later, she became the head choreographer. Within just six months, her career took off, and she left school to pursue her dreams full-time.

Career Highlights: From Choreographer to Superstar

Paula's first big break came when she choreographed The Jacksons' music video "Torture." This led to her choreographing their "Victory" tour. She also choreographed the iconic giant keyboard scene in the 1988 film "Big," starring Tom Hanks. In 1987, Paula used her savings to record a singing demo and was signed to Virgin Records. Even though she was untrained as a singer, her talent as a dancer and choreographer shone through. With voice coaching, she developed her singing skills.

Her debut album, "Forever Your Girl," released in 1988, became the most successful debut album at the time. It spent 10 weeks at the top of the "Billboard" chart and was certified Platinum in 1989. Paula won her first Grammy for Best Music Video for "Opposites Attract," which she also choreographed.

However, life isn't always a straight line. Paula took a break for personal and physical reasons. Her 1995 comeback album, "Head over Heels," was moderately successful but didn't match her earlier triumphs. She co-wrote the song "Spinning Around," intended for her comeback, but it ended up being a hit for Kylie Minogue. During this time, she also released workout videos and worked as a choreographer for films and theater projects, including "American Beauty." By 2000, she was no longer with Virgin Records.

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Paula Abdul's "American Idol" Journey

In 2002, Paula joined the Fox reality competition show "American Idol" as a judge. Her compassionate and supportive style contrasted sharply with Simon Cowell's brash approach, leading to some memorable on-air moments. Paula was also working as a reporter for "Entertainment Tonight" at the time. In 2008, she released the single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," marking her return to the charts after 13 years.

But all good things must come to an end. Paula left "American Idol" in July 2009 after eight seasons. She was earning $5 million per season but wanted $20 million for her return. Unfortunately, the negotiations didn't work out, and she was replaced by Ellen DeGeneres.

Other Television Ventures

In 2011, Paula reunited with Simon Cowell on the first season of the American edition of "The X Factor." However, she didn't return for a second season and was replaced by Demi Lovato. Paula was a guest judge on the dance competition reality show "So You Think You Can Dance" in 2013 and later became a permanent judge for the American version, though she only stayed for two years.

Paula Abdul's Return to the Stage

In 2016, Paula performed a full headlining set for the first time in 26 years at the Mixtape Festival in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She joined New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men on their 2017 comeback tour, marking her first tour in 25 years. They did a total of 47 shows together. In 2018, Paula embarked on a solo tour, "Straight Up Paula!," with 27 shows. She also started her first Las Vegas Residency, "Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl," in 2019, which ended in January 2020.

Paula Abdul's Personal Life: The Full Picture

Paula's personal life hasn't always been smooth sailing. In 1994, she sought treatment for bulimia, a condition she had battled since her teenage years. In 2006, she was a victim of battery at a party, sustaining a concussion and spinal injuries. A tragic incident occurred in 2008 when a fan named Paula Goodspeed was found dead of an overdose outside Paula's home. Goodspeed had been an obsessive fan, bordering on stalking.

Paula has been married twice: to Emilio Estevez from 1992 to 1994 and to Brad Beckerman from 1996 to 1998. She practices Judaism and is an avid dog lover.

Controversies Along the Way

In 2004, Paula was fined and given 24 months probation for a misdemeanor hit-and-run. She was driving her Mercedes-Benz in Los Angeles when she changed lanes on the freeway, hit another vehicle, and kept driving. During "American Idol," there were substance abuse allegations due to her sometimes erratic behavior. Paula denied these claims, attributing her on-screen behavior to pain medication for chronic pain from reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD).

Nigel Lythgoe Lawsuit: A Dark Chapter

In December 2023, Paula filed a lawsuit against "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance" producer Nigel Lythgoe, accusing him of sexual assault on various occasions during their years working together. According to the lawsuit, during an early season of "American Idol," Nigel allegedly shoved her against an elevator wall, grabbed her, and forcibly kissed her.

Paula Abdul's Real Estate Adventures

In September 2000, Paula purchased a home in Sherman Oaks, California, for $1.285 million. She sold this home in March 2012 for $1.884 million, turning a nice profit.