Judge Paula Abdul is an American singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality. She began her career as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers before rising to prominence in the 1980s as a highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era. In 2002, she joined the judging panel of the hit television show American Idol, where she remained a judge for eight seasons. She has since gone on to become a successful recording artist, with multiple platinum albums and singles to her name.