Paula Abdul was born 59 years ago today on June 19, 1962 in the San Fernando Valley of California to Jewish parents with Syrian and Ashkenazi ancestry. Inspired by Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain, she began taking dance lessons and became a cheerleader at Van Nuys High School. During her freshman year at Cal State Northridge (where she was studying broadcasting), she auditioned to join the LA Lakers famed cheerleading squad the Laker Girls and was selected. She was named head choreographer within one year.
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