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Paula Abdul choreographed four music videos from Janet Jackson’s 1986 album, including “Nasty” and “Control”
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Abdul says working with Jackson launched opportunities that exceeded her dreams as a choreographer and artist
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She reflected on her work and legacy at the Dancers Against Cancer’s Gala Of The Stars
It’s been 40 years since Paula Abdul choreographed Janet Jackson for her groundbreaking album Control.
Speaking with PEOPLE at the 2026 Dancers Against Cancer’s Gala Of The Stars in Beverly Hills on Oct. 22, Abdul says, “I was really fortunate and blessed at a very young age to have as my first artist as a choreographer to work with as Janet Jackson.”
“Rare gems like that only come around… You know when you’re witnessing that and to be able to be such a huge part of the Control album and all the accolades that she received from it and all the jobs and opportunities that I received from it, I will always be grateful for working with Janet,” the singer, 64, continues. “I’m so proud to see her shining continuously, and it’s great when I get to see her tonight too.”
Paula Abdul at the 52nd American Music Awards in May 2026
Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty
Abdul choreographed the music videos for the songs “What Have You Done for Me Lately,” “Control,” “When I Think of You” and “Nasty.” The album, released in 1986, received several accolades, including a nomination for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and a Producer of the Year, Non-Classical win.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have the most amazing career as a world-renowned choreographer and artist. I’ve dreamt of having a career like this, and it superseded any of my aspirations, my dreams, and I’m so grateful for that,” Abdul says of giving back in her industry. “I’m grateful that I’ve had the ability, which is one of my favorite things to do, is help pave the way and open the doors for other young talent.”
She says her choreography “still stands a test of time today.”
The former American Idol judge says that she’s been involved with Dancers Against Cancer “since the beginning” after watching her sister battle breast cancer. When going through treatment, she wanted her sister to dance with her, and she says “she would use it as a metaphor that I’m exercising and dancing away cancer through my sweat, through my hard work.”
During the event, Abdul also presented the Paula Abdul Legacy Award posthumously to the late “uber talented” Chita Rivera.
“When I was a kid growing up, she was my female hero. I wanted to be like her. I wanted to be able to dance like her. I’d emulate her and dance truly kept her going for all the years that she was active and acting and just being a beam of light. I know that that energy we all can inspire to be and it’s because dance was so prevalent in her life,” Abdul shares.
Read the original article on People
