Paula Abdul is grateful for the people who helped her get to the top, including Janet Jackson.
“We have crossed paths. We both have had residencies at the same time and have been able to catch up there,” Abdul, 63, told Us Weekly exclusively at the 2026 American Music Awards on Monday, May 25. “We’ve caught up in different countries. Yes, I will always have a debt of gratitude for that entire family.”
Abdul joked that these days, it’s hard to “run into” such a “busy woman,” referring to Jackson, 60, but it is all love when they do see each other.
Abdul and Jackson have a longtime friendship, with the former American Idol judge starting her career as the singer’s choreographer. Abdul looked back at her friendship with Jackson in a February Instagram post.
“Celebrating 40 years of Control and an era that changed my life forever,” Abdul wrote, referring to Jackson’s 1986 album. “Watching Janet fully step into her power and creative voice during this time was such a beautiful experience. So many incredible memories from working together.”
When looking back at her career with Us on Monday, Abdul said she never could have imagined how her life would have turned out.
“When I was a kid from the San Fernando Valley, there was nothing about me that said she’s going to be a star,” Abdul told Us on Monday. “My heart had so much love for music, for dance.”
She added, “I was born three months premature, so I had collapsed lungs, a broken wind pipe and hip dysplasia. For dancing, you need turn-out hips and turned-in hips. There’s nothing about what my dreams and what I was inspired by, but I believe — like a kid who believes in Santa Claus — that I could do it.”
The performer inspired an entire generation of artists throughout her career. However, Abdul is still surprised when she sees mega stars interacting with her music.
Meghan Markle set her eight-year wedding anniversary post to Abdul’s song “Forever Your Girl” on Instagram earlier this month. Abdul was blown away by the shout-out.
“It was a pinch me moment. Incredible. I literally had to read it a couple times to make sure,” Abdul told Us on Monday. “I don’t take anything for granted, so like when little gems like that happen in my life, I’m like, ‘Wow.’”
Us even joked that Abdul should perform the track — which is the ultimate wedding song — at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s upcoming nuptials.
“I’d be happy to oblige,” Abdul said.
