Paula Abdul - reality television star, Grammy Award winner, businesswoman, choreographer... stealth warrior?!?
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"I've endured life journeys that people never in a million years would ever think of experiencing," said Abdul in the July 9 issue of TV Guide. "I have risen from the bowels of hell and come out tripping and singing and dancing. I've always been counted out, but I come back like a stealth warrior."
Good thing too, as the 45-year-old has been juggling a hectic 2007 schedule that began with the American Idol sixth-season finale in May and has continued with the June premiere of her Hey Paula Bravo docu-reality series. She's also currently working on production for her new Bratz: The Movie project; the development of her own line of perfumes and cosmetics; the continuous expansion of her own originally-designed jewelry line and the marketing of her clothing line; as well as numerous personal appearances from coast to coast.
"I feel like this is the beginning of my career, and I'm like a kid all over again, counting my blessings," she told TV Guide before recounting several of the tragic misfortunes that have befallen her. "Because a lot of people don't know I was in a plane crash [in 1992] that stopped my career and started all of this pain. And I was left to endure 14 cervical spinal surgeries. I have four plates in my neck and, for five and a half years, I disappeared."
Abdul has previously stated she was unaware of her "purpose in life until American Idol" in 2002, and now she apparently has a firm grasp on just what that purpose is.
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"[My life purpose is] having the uncanny ability to tap into the heartstrings of people and make them feel they'll be okay," she told TV Guide. "And that if I can get through these hard times, so can you."
Abdul initially gained notoriety working as a Los Angeles Lakers' Laker Girl and becoming the eventual choreographer for the group before going on to choreograph music videos for numerous artists and establishing herself as a 1980s pop-star. Her third shot at stardom was Idol -- and while she's had a bumpy path to get where she is -- Abdul said it has made the journey all the more worth while.
"What I do feel proud about myself is I don't give up. I've worked extremely hard to maintain the integrity and level of class and goodness that I have," Abdul told TV Guide. "I screw up just like everyone else. The difference with me is that I get to teach the rest of the world lessons, to learn how to bounce back a lot quicker."
While Hey Paula has given viewers a glimpse into Abdul's personal life, it has also touched upon some of the confrontations she's had with people who work for her. However Abdul is quick to modestly point out that she's a delight as a boss.
"I wish I could work for someone like Paula Abdul," she told TV Guide. "Honest to God, I am the kindest-of-kind human beings."
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio