Pop culture icon and former “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul stepped onto the 2026 American Music Awards carpet in a stunning sheer white gown featuring a beautiful sculptural design by fashion designer Michael Costello.
The famed choreographer was the presenter for Song of the Year that night. However, she also reflected on her impact in pop culture, including her early rise to fame alongside legendary artist and close friend, Janet Jackson. The two women worked closely together during Jackson’s breakthrough “Control” era in the mid-1980s and have continued a lasting bond spanning decades.
Paula Abdul Praises Janet Jackson & the Jackson Family During AMAs
GettyOn the AMA’s carpet, music and dance icon Paula Abdul looked back on her rise to pop fame alongside Janet Jackson. Speaking to Us Weekly, Abdul touchingly shared that she will “always” be thankful for Jackson and the entire Jackson family as the women became defining figures of late-80s pop culture.
“When I’m able to run into this busy woman,” Abdul joked about how hard it is to catch up with Jackson. “We have crossed paths, we both have had residences at the same time, and been able to catch up there. We’ve caught up in different countries.”
She continued, “So, yes, I will always have a debt of gratitude for that entire family.”
Abdul and Jackson’s friendship began in the mid-80s when the Jackson family discovered Abdul when she was a dancer for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Looking back at that time, Abdul shared with Healthy Living Magazine in 2015, ” Yes, I was a Laker girl and their choreographer. I turned them into a dance dream and the Laker girls were getting a lot of notoriety. The brothers were season ticket holders and they needed a choreographer. They approached the front office and asked, “Who does choreography for the Laker girls?”
Abdul would end up working as the choreographer for some of Jackson’s most iconic music videos during her “Control” era, including “Nasty” and “What Have You Done for Me Lately.”
Abdul Honors Jackson By Celebrating 40 Years Since the Release of ‘Control’
Working alongside the Jacksons was a defining chapter in Abdul’s career, helping her gain notoriety and pave the way for her own rise to pop stardom with massive hits like “Straight Up” and “Opposites Attract.”
In February, Abdul honored Jackson’s legacy by sharing a touching tribute on Instagram celebrating 40 years since she released “Control.”
Sharing a black-and-white photo of herself and Jackson doing a dance routine for the album, she wrote, “Giving @janetjackson her flowers 🌹 Celebrating 40 years of Control and an era that changed my life forever.”
“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,” she added.
Back in 2021, Jackson showed Abdul love when she got the chance to return to “American Idol” as a judge when Luke Bryan tested positive for COVID-19. Jackson shared a sweet photo on Instagram of the two women smiling, and wrote, “Sending luv to u today @paulaabdul 😘.”
Abdul also returned to the judges’ table during season 24 for the show’s “Class of 2006” 20th-anniversary special episode.
