Hey! Here's that interview I was tellin' ya about!
Jezebel Magazine May 2004 By Beth Weitzman
Today when most people hear the name Paula Abdul they automatically associate her with American Idol. And with good reason. Paula, along with co-judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson as well as host, Atlanta's own Ryan Seacrest, has much to do with the success of the wildly popular show.
Paula's role on American Idol is just one facet of her professional life. An award-winning singer, songwriter, choreographer, dancer, actress, producer, and now jewelry and fashion designer, she's achieved what most in the biz only dream...and she's hotter than ever (and, yes, really looks this good in person).
How does she manage her hectic multi-faceted career, have some semblance of a personal life and remain sane? I found out those anwers and a whole lot more when I joined Paula in her dressing room backstage at American Idol...
Jez: Thank you for inviting us out to the show and taking time to chat with us. Pa: Thank you! It's my pleasure; I'm excited.
Jez: What characteristics do you look for most when considering candidates for the show? Pa: Well, above and beyond anything else, a good voice. If you have the voice, the rest, like showmanship and confidence, is attainable.
Jez: Who do you think right now most possesses those qualities? Pa: LaToya London is exquisite. She's a class act. George is sheer bliss. He's just wonderful; he takes me back to the old R&B days. I love him. I also think Jasmine has a very powerful voice, and it's juxtaposed by her sweetness. I think these kids can go on and do whatever they want to do.
Jez: Speaking of going on to make it, it was great to see Atlanta's own Tamyra Gray perform tonight... Pa: (interjecting) Now, that's a woman who has it. She embodies it. What I loved every week with Tamyra is she would take the genre of the songs that were being sung for that week and would embody it. If it was '70s or '60s, she wouldn't go ot and be trendy with the look, but she would find a way to pick pieces and incorporate her own style and still make it that. (with a big grin) I loved it. And she was very understated, beautiful and expressive, and she's someone who I think, above and beyond everyone else in the competition, is the one that has it.
Jez: So, would you have picked her to win? Pa: Absolutely. She has a magnificent voice. I always thought, commercial-wise and staying power and girls looking up to her and guys wanting to be with her, Tamyra just had it all.
...that's the first half..it won't let me put it all in one post!
Paula Interview!! (Part 2)xo4everurgurloxJune 17 2004, 15:57:58 UTC
cont.
Jez: How do you think the Atlanta candidates compare to other cities? Pa: It's been great. I'll be honest with you...it's a weird season for the judges. It's the first season that they {the producers} pre-did everything before we'd get to the cities, so they already decided who to keep for us to see. When we were sitting, we said: "Well, where is the rest of the talent?" We never got to really see all of what was there. They didn't do that the first year. There's a production team that goes into the cities and weeds through the 10,000 to get to like a 1,00 or 2,000, but they even went one step further {this season}, and I just feel like it tainted it.
Jez: Speaking of, what do you like most about Atlanta? Pa: Atlanta is a great city. The people are nice. It's a music-oriented city that has great talent. I love The Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead and the Buckhead Diner.
Jez: So what's really going on with you and Simon? Do you guys get along pretty well? Pa: For the most part, this week (smiling). Today, he's a pill, but generally we get along fine. It's like having a brother, you know. Sometimes you get along and sometimes you don't. That's just how it is with us. Sometimes he gets in a mood and acts cranky.
Jez: So, Paula, tell us how you first got approached for American Idol. Pa: Fox people called my business manager and asked me to meet with the producers at the head of Fox, and they basically interviewed me. I thought, "Man, they're the smartest people on earth because they must know that this is exactly what I do for a living, besides being an entertainer." I mean, I've been running camps and competitions as a choreographer my whole life, and I'm always out scouting raw, untapped talent. They have to know. But they didn't. They had no clue. They had no clue that the show would even be successful. They said, "We don't know if it'll even last two weeks, but we'd love for you to consider this." I said, "Two weeks! This is going to be huge!" Well, they said, "It's huge in the U.K." I knew about the show in the U.K. because I got a phone call from the producers of Pop Idol. They needed clearance for this song that I wrote and gave to Kylie Minogue because every kid was singing that song for their auditions. And that's when they invited me over to work with the last 10 to help them on movement. After starting the show here, I found out it really was just happenstance. They just thought I'd be great for it, and here we are. Who would have thought that this show would become a staple? And you know, it's like the judges have become the side show. It's like we've become a very important element of the show, and the fighting between some of us, and the relationships that we have.
Re: Paula Interview!! (Part 3)xo4everurgurloxJune 17 2004, 16:00:18 UTC
cont.
Jez: So what's the craziest thing someone did to try and get on the show? Pa: There's ones that won't take no for an answer, so they steal other identities of other contestants that somehow lose their pink slipsand someone picks it up and says, "You brought me back." "No, we didn't, we know we didn't." "Yes, you did." Well, you have to give them a chance because they have that slip. But we found out that people were stealing and mass duplicating them, and all these wackados were coming in...things like that. And some kids follow up from city to city and like maybe dye their hair or shave off some facial hair. And say, "We're back, " and they follow up. Like that guy Edgar who jumped in front of the bus.
Jez: What do you think of Diana DeGarmo from Snellville, Ga? Pa: Snellville, that's one of the weirdest names. Snell-ville. That's a funky name. But, Diana DeGarmo. She's 16 years old, and that girl can sing her butt off. She's got one of those powerful voices. The only thing that goes against her is her age. She still needs to enjoy high school. You know, her voice is never going to leave. She has years and years to live out her thing. You know, she probably is going to have a record deal by the end of this, no doubt. Whether she wins or not, I don't know, but I think she'll definitely have a record deal.
Jez: What three characteristics do you think define an American Idol? Pa: Confidence, graciousness, having a healthy narcissism. This is a competition where you have to achieve your own personal best. You only compete against yourself. You've got to get out of thinking, "What's that person singing...they're going first, I have to go after them." Forget worrying about the other person. Stay focused because each and every one of them should be wanting desperately to be the next American Idol. It's interesting because Clay Aiken was so driven to win, but he was always looking, checking what other people were doing. Like he'd concentrate so much on what they had and he didn't, but he'd know how to rewind and go right back into focus. That was like the most amazing thing to watch. Ruben was more or less laid back and confident with his voice.
Jez: So much of your life revolves around music. When did you first fall in love with it? Pa: Oh, my gosh, since I was a child. For me, music and dance have always been a perfect match because I hear music, I love it and I dance to it. I have been like that since I was a little kid (smiling). My mom says since I was 4 years old, they started paying attention to it.
Jez: Did you always know that's what you were going to do in life? Pa: Yes, Beth, without a doubt. They said I proclaimed it when I was 4, and that there was never a chance of anything else creeping in.
Jezebel Magazine
May 2004
By Beth Weitzman
Today when most people hear the name Paula Abdul they automatically associate her with American Idol. And with good reason. Paula, along with co-judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson as well as host, Atlanta's own Ryan Seacrest, has much to do with the success of the wildly popular show.
Paula's role on American Idol is just one facet of her professional life. An award-winning singer, songwriter, choreographer, dancer, actress, producer, and now jewelry and fashion designer, she's achieved what most in the biz only dream...and she's hotter than ever (and, yes, really looks this good in person).
How does she manage her hectic multi-faceted career, have some semblance of a personal life and remain sane? I found out those anwers and a whole lot more when I joined Paula in her dressing room backstage at American Idol...
Jez: Thank you for inviting us out to the show and taking time to chat with us.
Pa: Thank you! It's my pleasure; I'm excited.
Jez: What characteristics do you look for most when considering candidates for the show?
Pa: Well, above and beyond anything else, a good voice. If you have the voice, the rest, like showmanship and confidence, is attainable.
Jez: Who do you think right now most possesses those qualities?
Pa: LaToya London is exquisite. She's a class act. George is sheer bliss. He's just wonderful; he takes me back to the old R&B days. I love him. I also think Jasmine has a very powerful voice, and it's juxtaposed by her sweetness. I think these kids can go on and do whatever they want to do.
Jez: Speaking of going on to make it, it was great to see Atlanta's own Tamyra Gray perform tonight...
Pa: (interjecting) Now, that's a woman who has it. She embodies it. What I loved every week with Tamyra is she would take the genre of the songs that were being sung for that week and would embody it. If it was '70s or '60s, she wouldn't go ot and be trendy with the look, but she would find a way to pick pieces and incorporate her own style and still make it that. (with a big grin) I loved it. And she was very understated, beautiful and expressive, and she's someone who I think, above and beyond everyone else in the competition, is the one that has it.
Jez: So, would you have picked her to win?
Pa: Absolutely. She has a magnificent voice. I always thought, commercial-wise and staying power and girls looking up to her and guys wanting to be with her, Tamyra just had it all.
...that's the first half..it won't let me put it all in one post!
Reply
Jez: How do you think the Atlanta candidates compare to other cities?
Pa: It's been great. I'll be honest with you...it's a weird season for the judges. It's the first season that they {the producers} pre-did everything before we'd get to the cities, so they already decided who to keep for us to see. When we were sitting, we said: "Well, where is the rest of the talent?" We never got to really see all of what was there. They didn't do that the first year. There's a production team that goes into the cities and weeds through the 10,000 to get to like a 1,00 or 2,000, but they even went one step further {this season}, and I just feel like it tainted it.
Jez: Speaking of, what do you like most about Atlanta?
Pa: Atlanta is a great city. The people are nice. It's a music-oriented city that has great talent. I love The Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead and the Buckhead Diner.
Jez: So what's really going on with you and Simon? Do you guys get along pretty well?
Pa: For the most part, this week (smiling). Today, he's a pill, but generally we get along fine. It's like having a brother, you know. Sometimes you get along and sometimes you don't. That's just how it is with us. Sometimes he gets in a mood and acts cranky.
Jez: So, Paula, tell us how you first got approached for American Idol.
Pa: Fox people called my business manager and asked me to meet with the producers at the head of Fox, and they basically interviewed me. I thought, "Man, they're the smartest people on earth because they must know that this is exactly what I do for a living, besides being an entertainer." I mean, I've been running camps and competitions as a choreographer my whole life, and I'm always out scouting raw, untapped talent. They have to know. But they didn't. They had no clue. They had no clue that the show would even be successful. They said, "We don't know if it'll even last two weeks, but we'd love for you to consider this." I said, "Two weeks! This is going to be huge!" Well, they said, "It's huge in the U.K." I knew about the show in the U.K. because I got a phone call from the producers of Pop Idol. They needed clearance for this song that I wrote and gave to Kylie Minogue because every kid was singing that song for their auditions. And that's when they invited me over to work with the last 10 to help them on movement. After starting the show here, I found out it really was just happenstance. They just thought I'd be great for it, and here we are. Who would have thought that this show would become a staple? And you know, it's like the judges have become the side show. It's like we've become a very important element of the show, and the fighting between some of us, and the relationships that we have.
Reply
Jez: So what's the craziest thing someone did to try and get on the show?
Pa: There's ones that won't take no for an answer, so they steal other identities of other contestants that somehow lose their pink slipsand someone picks it up and says, "You brought me back." "No, we didn't, we know we didn't." "Yes, you did." Well, you have to give them a chance because they have that slip. But we found out that people were stealing and mass duplicating them, and all these wackados were coming in...things like that. And some kids follow up from city to city and like maybe dye their hair or shave off some facial hair. And say, "We're back, " and they follow up. Like that guy Edgar who jumped in front of the bus.
Jez: What do you think of Diana DeGarmo from Snellville, Ga?
Pa: Snellville, that's one of the weirdest names. Snell-ville. That's a funky name. But, Diana DeGarmo. She's 16 years old, and that girl can sing her butt off. She's got one of those powerful voices. The only thing that goes against her is her age. She still needs to enjoy high school. You know, her voice is never going to leave. She has years and years to live out her thing. You know, she probably is going to have a record deal by the end of this, no doubt. Whether she wins or not, I don't know, but I think she'll definitely have a record deal.
Jez: What three characteristics do you think define an American Idol?
Pa: Confidence, graciousness, having a healthy narcissism. This is a competition where you have to achieve your own personal best. You only compete against yourself. You've got to get out of thinking, "What's that person singing...they're going first, I have to go after them." Forget worrying about the other person. Stay focused because each and every one of them should be wanting desperately to be the next American Idol. It's interesting because Clay Aiken was so driven to win, but he was always looking, checking what other people were doing. Like he'd concentrate so much on what they had and he didn't, but he'd know how to rewind and go right back into focus. That was like the most amazing thing to watch. Ruben was more or less laid back and confident with his voice.
Jez: So much of your life revolves around music. When did you first fall in love with it?
Pa: Oh, my gosh, since I was a child. For me, music and dance have always been a perfect match because I hear music, I love it and I dance to it. I have been like that since I was a little kid (smiling). My mom says since I was 4 years old, they started paying attention to it.
Jez: Did you always know that's what you were going to do in life?
Pa: Yes, Beth, without a doubt. They said I proclaimed it when I was 4, and that there was never a chance of anything else creeping in.
Reply
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