April 25, 2008

Paula Abdul on the Injury That Almost Took Her Voice

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She's been knocked down more times than she cares to remember, and now Hollywood's resident comeback kid, Paula Abdul, is sharing her harrowing journey exclusively with "Extra."

"I was born premature," Paula reveals. "Almost three months, just under three pounds with a broken windpipe and my lungs a complete mess."

Paula fought her way from fast food jobs and high school musicals to the famous LA Forum floor, getting her big break as a Lakers girl in 1981.

One superstar singing career later came tragedy, when a 1992 emergency landing almost robbed Paula of her voice. Now, for the first time, Abdul reveals the severity of the injury that forced her from the spotlight.

"My vocal chords were completely injured," she says. "And I barely had audible sounds. It took me two years to get my voice working again."

Now, when though Paula absorbs plenty of punishment from "Idol's" resident grouch, she thanks the show for convincing her to give showbiz one more shot and Simon for challenging her every week.

"He has meant a lot in my life for many reasons," she admits. "He has made me stronger than I ever imagined I could be. There's nobody who can rock my world, nobody, I learned from the master himself."


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Comments (10)

On 28 Apr 2008, Chanel wrote:

I feel for Paula too. She will always be my idol with or with out a voice. She doesn’t need a voice as cute as she is.

 
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On 28 Apr 2008, Anonymous wrote:

why is everyone so hard on her?

 
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On 28 Apr 2008, MrOshun wrote:

Paula Abdul is the best. My Idol. I don’t even know why people are so hard on her. I’ll never know.

God bless.

 
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On 27 Apr 2008, Sharon C wrote:

Paula - you always try to make the show less painful for the contestants. You have good verbal skills and remain honest to the contestants. Keep up the soft punch as it retains their self-esteem which is soooooo important.

Love you.

 
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On 27 Apr 2008, katherine wrote:

i feel sorry for paula.. paula you are forever our girl.. support you 4ever!!!

 
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On 26 Apr 2008, mikaela wrote:

i love her so much!

i hope she is okay!

 
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On 26 Apr 2008, Ivy wrote:

I really feel for Paula. She takes a lot of grief because of her kindness, compassion, and her slightly eccentric personality. It’s sad we live in a society that has free rein to slander and propagate lies. You keep going girl. There are a lot of people who love you for being you!!

 
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On 26 Apr 2008, SHANELLE wrote:

i love this lady:):):)

i feel bad but shes ok now!

 
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On 26 Apr 2008, Madi wrote:

Aww. I was born the same way! I know what iit is like to go through that! I am now 21 and I also have a singing career in my state…INDIANA… Pooooor Paula

 
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On 26 Apr 2008, mack wrote:

poor paula

 
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