Originally known as a dancer and choreographer, Paula Abdul emerged as a superstar pop singer in the late ’80s and early ’90s, notching six No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. • As a child, Abdul studied ballet, tap and jazz. While attending California State University, Northridge, she was selected for the Los Angeles Lakers cheerleading squad and quickly became the head choreographer. • She was discovered at a game by The Jacksons, who hired her to choreograph their “Torture” video in 1984. This would lead to Abdul choreographing many of Janet Jackson’s videos, including “Nasty”, “Control” and “What Have You Done for Me Lately?” • Her 1988 debut album, Forever Your Girl, became the most successful debut album in history up to that point, holding the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart for 10 weeks. It also yielded four No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100: “Straight Up”, “Forever Your Girl”, “Cold Hearted” and “Opposites Attract”. • In 1991, she released her sophomore album, Spellbound, which spawned two more No. 1 singles: “Rush Rush” and “The Promise of a New Day”. • Abdul didn’t fare as well with her third album, 1995’s Head Over Heels, but she reestablished her celebrity in the 21st century with stints on reality shows like American Idol, The X Factor, Live to Dance and So You Think You Can Dance. • She’s also choreographed movies like Big, Coming to America, Jerry Maguire and American Beauty.