I was quite a Paula fan back in the day, and thought she had some of the very best music videos. My three faves have always been the ones I'm sharing the links to below. They're unlike anything else that was seen or heard back then - and Paula was absolutely gorgeous!
I watched her on last night's New Year's Rockin' Eve telecast and was very pleasantly surprised, and quite impressed, that she actually still very much has the moves, didn't look at all stiff, awkward, or clunky, and that she did a great job. (The singing sounded decidedly pre-recorded, and certain songs quite auto-tuned. However, that was entirely okay.) She and I are near identical age. People in this age bracket don't normally dance like she did, get tossed around, etc., and not look whatever extent of foolish. Paula pulled it all off wonderfully and actually looked entirely credible! Job well done!
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Reply by znexyish
on January 1, 2020 at 10:30 PM
I saw that too and immediately thought of this celebrity/people board. It didn't matter to me if Paula was singing over a pre-recorded track or not. The circumstances of the show probably required that. She still has the moves and the dancers body. Her energy was there too. Obviously she keeps in top shape to this day.
Reply by genplant29
on January 1, 2020 at 10:40 PM
I seem to recall reading or hearing several years back that she had major back surgery - which makes it even more surprising and impressive that, now in upper 50s, she continues to dance so limberly, get tossed around and caught, and not only still have the moves, but her back be able to handle it all. As you said, znex, clearly she keeps in top shape!
Reply by JustPearry
on January 2, 2020 at 10:50 AM
Aint no need to rush rush Paula cause she forever our girl.
Another hardship trying her back is her impressive background of being born half German half Brazilian half Syrian and the other half American.
But that wont keep her from dancin up a storm. Even cold hearted snakes would watch as she glides gracefully as ever showing how tip top shape she keeps in. Straight Up there Paula!
Reply by genplant29
on January 2, 2020 at 12:56 PM
I had wondered what Paula's ethnic heritage is. The combination certainly turned out looking good on her.
According to Wikipedia, when she released her 1988 album "Forever Your Girl", it set the record for debut album with the most (four) #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. (The singles in question are the three songs I posted the links to, above, plus the album's title song.) Not shabby!
I see, according to her current social media (which I last night added, to Paula's TMDb profile page, links to her own official website, also to her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages) that she currently has a Las Vegas residency. That's sure to keep her in shape, with endless rehearsals, then putting on all those shows.
Reply by QuitePleasant
on January 3, 2020 at 9:42 PM
Yes, Paula proves her wonderful talent and energy on camera and behind the scenes, right from the beginning, when she sings, dances, acts, and commands screen attention in her music videos, all the while serving as Choreographer on The Tracey Ullman Show from its 1987 inception.
Tracey even brings Paula into the limelight in one episode to present a Gold Single award for Paula's recording of "Straight Up," which Paula appreciates and demonstrates a few movements from the number, doing that famous one-arm push-up of hers from the right side and "Straight Up."
Tracey, Sam and Joe (two of her regular co-stars) clearly demonstrate Paula's Choreography direction to their dance routines on Tracey's refreshing Variety program.
Sort of lost track on whatever became of Pop music during the 1990's, so Paula and several other fine talents famously continue along as 1980's artists, which, as you mention, has been a wonderful decade for music.
Very nice to know that Miss Abdul doesn't miss a beat to this day, ever a great and well-received performer, then and now.
Reply by genplant29
on January 3, 2020 at 11:26 PM
Thanks for the good points you mentioned, Quite. I used to watch The Tracey Ullman Show, back when it aired on FOX, and had completely forgotten, now all these years later, that Paula ever appeared on there.
Reply by znexyish
on January 4, 2020 at 8:50 PM
Paula's one of the best well known choreographers of her time. Her dance career starting with being a Laker girl to her singing career are just part of her talent. She is a master of many styles of dance from tap to modern to hip-hop to Bob Fosse Broadway moves and others as well as combining them. She is equivalent to all the great dancers of the past.
Reply by genplant29
on January 4, 2020 at 8:58 PM
Indeed. I recall that one of the stars she was famously the choreographer for was Janet Jackson.
Paula seems to be a super-nice person. I watched all of her seasons as one of the judges of American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance and always very much liked her on each show.