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PAULA Abdul rose to prominence for her hit singles Straight Up and Opposites Attract.

Following the Grammy Award winner's departure from American Idol, she has continued to perform and make TV appearances.

Paula Abdul pictured in Los Angeles, California in June 1990
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Paula Abdul pictured in Los Angeles, California in June 1990Credit: Getty

Where is Paula Abdul now?

Starting on June 14, 2024, Paula Abdul is scheduled to accompany New Kids on the Block and DJ Jazzy Jeff during their Magic Summer Tour.

The Magic Summer Tour is slated to conclude on August 25, 2024.

Meanwhile, Paula is also in the midst of a legal battle against American Idol co-producer Nigel Lythgoe, 19 Entertainment, and FremantleMedia North America.

On November 29, 2023, the former Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Nigel and the two above-mentioned companies.

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She is suing the defendants for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence.

In the legal documents, Paula alleges that Nigel sexually assaulted her twice while they were co-workers.

According to the former, the first assault took place during Idol's earlier seasons.

The second one is alleged to have happened in 2015, the same time that they started working together again for So You Think You Can Dance? seasons 12 and 13.

On a separate occasion, Paula says she witnessed Nigel make unwanted sexual advances towards her assistant on SYTYCD.

While denying all of Paula's allegations, Nigel told The U.S. Sun: "To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement.

"For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear – and entirely platonic – friends and colleagues.

"Yesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear.

"Not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for."

He added: "While Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue.

"But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have."

Paula Abdul pictured with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Nigel Lythgoe during American Idol season 4
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Paula Abdul pictured with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Nigel Lythgoe during American Idol season 4Credit: Getty

When did Paula Abdul quit American Idol?

On August 4, 2009, Paula announced she was not returning for Idol Season 9.

She revealed wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to #IDOL.

"I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all...being a part of a show that I helped from day1 become an international phenomenon.

"What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me.

"It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month.

"I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all."

At the time, it was believed that failed salary negotiations were the reasons for Paula's exit from Idol.

In a joint statement, FremantleMedia and Fox shared: "Paula Abdul has been an important part of the American Idol family over the last eight seasons, and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show.

"While Paula will not be continuing with us, she’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best."

Why did Paula divorce Brad Beckerman?

On March 9, 1998, Paula filed for divorce from her second husband, Brad Beckerman; they cited irreconcilable differences.

It was the second divorce for Paula and the first for Brad.

On October 24, 1996, the pair tied the knot at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

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On November 24 of the same year, they held a second wedding reception at the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, Connecticut.

Their wedding happened eight months after their mutual friends set them up on a blind date in February of the abovementioned year.

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