From her early days as a choreographer and pop star in the 1980s to her role as a TV judge on *American Idol* and *So You Think You Can Dance*, Paula Abdul has made a lasting impact in the entertainment industry. Here, we share 25 interesting and little-known facts about her life, career, and unique personality.
#1. Devoted to Family Recipes
Paula Abdul has a soft spot for family recipes and says she’d go to the ends of the earth for her mom’s homemade latkes and her sister’s beef brisket. She credits her family’s dishes as the ultimate comfort food and an irreplaceable part of her heritage.
#2. A Hydration Enthusiast
Abdul takes hydration seriously, consuming at least 16 glasses of water a day. This dedication to staying hydrated keeps her skin glowing and helps her maintain energy for her active lifestyle.
#3. Dreaming of Parisian Life
Though she’s an American icon, Abdul has always dreamed of living in Paris. She’s enamored by the city’s culture and has often imagined herself as a “Parisian girl” enjoying the beauty and elegance of French life.
#4. Talented Impersonator
One of her hidden talents is doing impersonations, a skill she’s considered good enough to pursue professionally. Abdul suspects she might have been a voice-over artist in a previous life!
#5. Childhood Tuba Player
As a young girl, Abdul chose the tuba as her instrument, surprising many who know her as a dancer and singer. Her time with the tuba shows her willingness to experiment and try unexpected things.
#6. Dance Routines Keep Her Up at Night
Dance is such a central part of Abdul’s life that she sometimes stays awake thinking about choreography. She frequently rehearses routines in her mind, striving for perfection.
#7. Addicted to Popcorn
She admits to having a “massive” popcorn addiction, loving it in all forms—plain, buttered, or flavored. This favorite snack is one of her guilty pleasures.
#8. Prefers a Simple Life Over the Hollywood Scene
Though Abdul has long been a Hollywood star, she avoids the Hollywood party scene. She’s happiest with quiet activities like going to the beach or enjoying a nice dinner with friends.
#9. Movie Lover at Heart
Abdul is an avid movie fan and says she’d happily watch a movie every day if she could. This love of film has been a big part of her downtime, balancing her busy work life.
#10. Runyon Canyon Regular
When she’s not traveling, Abdul makes it a point to hike Runyon Canyon at least once a week. This ritual allows her to stay fit while enjoying nature and Los Angeles’ beautiful scenery.
#11. Working on Clap Push-Ups
Clap push-ups are a challenging feat, even for a dancer like Abdul. She continues to work on this exercise, showcasing her dedication to fitness and self-improvement.
#12. Passionate Lakers Fan
Abdul is a loyal Lakers fan and admits to getting loud if the team isn’t performing well. Her passion for the Lakers highlights her love for basketball and L.A. culture.
#13. Inventor of a Jeweled Microphone Stand
For her live performances, Abdul patented a jeweled microphone stand designed to suit her choreography. This unique invention helped her seamlessly combine singing and dancing on stage.
#14. Prefers Unplugged Days
Her idea of a perfect day involves no phones, computers, or gadgets. Abdul believes in the value of real, face-to-face interactions and cherishes days when she can disconnect from technology.
#15. Love for Tall Shoes
Though she’s petite, Abdul embraces her height and would wear 12-inch platform heels everywhere if it were appropriate. She feels that “you can never be too tall.”
#16. A Shoe Collection of Over 300 Pairs
Her love for fashion includes an extensive shoe collection. Over the years, she’s accumulated around 300 pairs, showing her passion for style.
#17. No Romance with Simon Cowell
Contrary to rumors, Abdul confirms she has never been romantically interested in Simon Cowell, her *American Idol* co-star. The two share a friendship and professional respect but nothing more.
#18. Belief in UFOs and Extraterrestrial Life
Abdul has an open mind about extraterrestrial life and believes in UFOs. She thinks there’s a possibility of life beyond Earth and enjoys pondering the unknown.
#19. Swimming with Dolphins on Her Bucket List
One of Abdul’s lifelong dreams is to swim with dolphins. This item has been on her bucket list for years, and she hopes to experience the joy and beauty of these creatures up close someday.
#20. A Diet Packed with Vegetables
Paula Abdul prioritizes healthy eating, consuming 10 to 16 ounces of vegetables with each meal. Her diet focuses on raw, steamed, or juiced veggies for optimal health.
#21. Resolving Arguments with Dance-Offs
Abdul believes that dance is a great way to solve conflicts. In her view, a good dance-off could resolve some of life’s biggest disagreements in a lighthearted way.
#22. Discovered Cuba Gooding Jr.
In 1988, Abdul cast a young Cuba Gooding Jr. in a Bugle Boy commercial. She’s proud of spotting his talent early on, giving him one of his first roles.
#23. Mentored by Icons Like Gene Kelly and Michael Jackson
Throughout her career, Abdul has been mentored by legendary figures like Gene Kelly, Joe Tremaine, and Michael Jackson. These icons had a significant impact on her approach to dance and performance.
#24. Advocate for Mental Health and Body Positivity
Abdul has openly shared her struggles with an eating disorder and body dysmorphia. Today, she advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to seek support.
#25. Walked Around in Mismatched Sneakers—and No One Noticed!
In a playful moment, Abdul once spent an entire day wearing two different high-top sneakers. To her surprise, not a single person noticed her quirky choice.
