Paula Abdul was inspired at an early age by the film Singing In The Rain, and as a young girl her ultimate ambition was to be a successful dancer like her idol Gene Kelly. From the age of nine she undertook dance lessons, where she impressed her teachers with her natural ability to dance and entertain.

Following graduation, Abdul appeared on the small screen when she was just sixteen years old in the 1978 movie/musical Junior High School. However, her sole dream was still to be a dancer. In the early 1980s she earned a spot on the LA Lakers cheerleading team. Her unique and dynamic dance style stood out and she was asked to take the coveted position of choreographer. The mark she left on the cheerleading industry has been credited with revolutionizing the entire industry.