On Her Toes

SPOTLIGHT

in the galaxy of pop divas (Madonna! Janet! Whitney!), Paula Abdul is a shooting star—a tiny powerhouse with fast feet, a so-so singing voice, and great videos. What made Abdul's career dick in 1989—her debut album, Forever Your Girl, went quadruple platinum—were her extreme drive and innate understanding of marketing. David Fincher's snazzy video for "Straight Up," her first hit single, established the Abdul formula—lots of quick-cut dancing mixed with a sort of nice-girl sexiness. That pop solution will probably continue when her new album hits TV screens (and airwaves) in late April. "And, on top of it all, she's nice," says a former associate. "She fired me and I still love Paula."

A quintessential Valley Girl, Abdul, who is of Syrian—Brazilian—French Canadian descent, took dance classes as a kid. A cheerleader in high school, she got her big break in 1981 when she became a Laker Girl, one of the scantily clad pep squad that performs during the breaks in basketball action. Since the fans at Lakers games are a Who's Who of Hollywood royalty, from Nicholson to Ovitz, Abdul was discovered. After a stint with the Jacksons, she was asked by A&M Records to choreograph little sister Janet's new videos. From there, Abdul took off. Movies are next on the agenda; so far no project has clicked, although it seems only a matter of time before one does. 'This girl is like Mighty Mouse," says one producer. "She will conquer the world."

LYNN HIRSCHBERG