Paula Abdul: Laker Girl
Paula Abdul was once an 18-year-old freshman who studied broadcasting at Cal State Northridge. She became a Los Angeles Laker Girl after being selected as one of 700 competitors. Within a year, she became the Laker Girls’ head choreographer was later discovered by The Jacksons. Abdul went on to choreograph the Jacksons’ Victory tour and Janet Jackson specifically during her “Control” era.
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Remember that giant keyboard scene with Tom Hanks in the movie Big? Well, Abdul choreographed that scene. She used her earnings to make a singing demo cassette tape and in 1988, she released her pop debut album called Forever Your Girl. That album hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200. Mrs. Abdul found success even in her later career, as one of the judges on American Idol, The X Factor, Dancing With the Stars, and So You Think You Can Dance.