Abdul Says She Found Her Purpose on `Idol' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-03-2007, 10:56 AM

LOS ANGELES -- Paula Abdul says she didn't figure out her purpose in life until she became a judge on Fox network's "American Idol."

"I knew since I was a little girl that I had this profound way of touching people. My purpose is bringing out everybody's best and being that cheerleader to other people's success," the 44-year-old singer-dancer tells OK! magazine in its latest issue.

"Being a judge on `American Idol' overshadows being a Grammy Award winner and selling millions of records," she says.

Abdul has been diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), a chronic neurological disorder that causes severe pain.

"I have four titanium plates in my neck. I've had 14 surgeries over the years. I had an operation the same evening as the first season finale of `American Idol,'" she says. "It can come and go at any time, but I no longer have the intense nerve pain that is associated with RSD, thank God."

Abdul — who says she was hit by a drunk driver in 1987 and injured in an emergency plane landing in the early '90s — says she is treated with anti-inflammatory medications and has massage and acupuncture treatments for her pain.

"If I appear exhausted on television, it's because I am!" she says. "I have a lot of sleepless nights because I'm in so much pain. I was taking far more medication on earlier seasons (of `American Idol'), and nobody said anything. I try to say something and I stumble, and that's what people have picked up on. I'm not polished."

When asked how she responds to claims that her behavior during "Idol" is sometimes bizarre, Abdul replies:

"I'm sick of it. I've never been drunk. I don't do recreational drugs. It's defamation of character."

The choreographer and former Laker girl also says: "I'm a warrior. I'm not the best dancer, and I'm certainly not the best singer, but I am an entire package of a great performer."

TJL · 06-03-2007, 12:19 PM

Well if she's warrior, then I wanna be a warrior too.

No wait! I wanna be a cowboy! No! A Sheriff!

Yeah, a Sheriff. Who also has superpowers and a cape!

Sweet...

Brian Damage · 06-03-2007, 12:20 PM

TJL, You Kill Me!!!

catlover79 · 06-03-2007, 12:42 PM

TJL, you never fail to crack me up!!

How come you're not on the stand-up circuit??

Ireneparalegal · 06-03-2007, 01:58 PM

I heard abt that on the radio yesterday and I was like "WTF?" I mean, come on. Is it really because she gets paid waaaay better than when she was a dancer/choreographer, singer (supposedly) and cheerleader? If she didn't have AI, what then was her purpose? I can't believe that she feels that way. Or rather, she shouldn't think that her being a judge telling people abt how they sing *cough cough* is her purpose in life?

She is/was a great dancer and choreographer, if I were her, that would have made me more proud since that is what she did so well at.

Dr. Thong · 06-03-2007, 02:39 PM

Paula Abdul was at best a mediocre singer back in the day. Her modern day equivalent would be Jennifer Lopez. Paula's videos were much more notable than her voice.

She may be fodder for talk shows and Saturday Night Live, but she is raking in the bucks, so I don't blame her for pumping up her stint on American Idol. Take the money while you can, babe.

Superstar · 06-03-2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

TJL, You Kill Me!!!

R.I.P

Ireneparalegal · 06-03-2007, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey!

R.I.P

TJL · 06-04-2007, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

TJL, you never fail to crack me up!!

How come you're not on the stand-up circuit??

Thank you. I have always wanted to try standup comedy, but I prefer to write instead of performing.

Although that might change soon...

catlover79 · 06-04-2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

Thank you. I have always wanted to try standup comedy, but I prefer to write instead of performing.

Although that might change soon...

Keep us posted, honey!

06-03-2007, 10:56 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Abdul Says She Found Her Purpose on `Idol' LOS ANGELES -- Paula Abdul says she didn't figure out her purpose in life until she became a judge on Fox network's "American Idol." "I knew since I was a little girl that I had this profound way of touching people. My purpose is bringing out everybody's best and being that cheerleader to other people's success," the 44-year-old singer-dancer tells OK! magazine in its latest issue. "Being a judge on `American Idol' overshadows being a Grammy Award winner and selling millions of records," she says. Abdul has been diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), a chronic neurological disorder that causes severe pain. "I have four titanium plates in my neck. I've had 14 surgeries over the years. I had an operation the same evening as the first season finale of `American Idol,'" she says. "It can come and go at any time, but I no longer have the intense nerve pain that is associated with RSD, thank God." Abdul — who says she was hit by a drunk driver in 1987 and injured in an emergency plane landing in the early '90s — says she is treated with anti-inflammatory medications and has massage and acupuncture treatments for her pain. "If I appear exhausted on television, it's because I am!" she says. "I have a lot of sleepless nights because I'm in so much pain. I was taking far more medication on earlier seasons (of `American Idol'), and nobody said anything. I try to say something and I stumble, and that's what people have picked up on. I'm not polished." When asked how she responds to claims that her behavior during "Idol" is sometimes bizarre, Abdul replies: "I'm sick of it. I've never been drunk. I don't do recreational drugs. It's defamation of character." The choreographer and former Laker girl also says: "I'm a warrior. I'm not the best dancer, and I'm certainly not the best singer, but I am an entire package of a great performer."
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-03-2007, 12:19 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Well if she's warrior, then I wanna be a warrior too. No wait! I wanna be a cowboy! No! A Sheriff! Yeah, a Sheriff. Who also has superpowers and a cape! Sweet...
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

06-03-2007, 12:42 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	TJL, you never fail to crack me up!! How come you're not on the stand-up circuit??
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

06-03-2007, 01:58 PM	#5
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I heard abt that on the radio yesterday and I was like "WTF?" I mean, come on. Is it really because she gets paid waaaay better than when she was a dancer/choreographer, singer (supposedly) and cheerleader? If she didn't have AI, what then was her purpose? I can't believe that she feels that way. Or rather, she shouldn't think that her being a judge telling people abt how they sing cough cough is her purpose in life? She is/was a great dancer and choreographer, if I were her, that would have made me more proud since that is what she did so well at.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

06-03-2007, 02:39 PM	#6
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Paula Abdul was at best a mediocre singer back in the day. Her modern day equivalent would be Jennifer Lopez. Paula's videos were much more notable than her voice. She may be fodder for talk shows and Saturday Night Live, but she is raking in the bucks, so I don't blame her for pumping up her stint on American Idol. Take the money while you can, babe.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

06-03-2007, 12:20 PM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	TJL, You Kill Me!!!