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Photos: Paula Abdul, straight up

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  1. Straight up

    Paula Abdul once cheered for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, but then moved into choreography and a singing career of her own before taking a seat next to Simon Cowell at the "American Idol" judges' table. (Everett Collection) Back to slideshow navigation
  2. Forever your girl -- or not

    Abdul married actor Emilio Estevez in 1992 but they divorced just two years later. She later told People magazine that the split came because she wanted children and Estevez, already a father of two, did not. She went on to marry sportswear designer Brad Beckerman in 1996, but again, divorced just two years later. (Ron Galella / WireImage) Back to slideshow navigation
  3. She's got the vibe

    Abdul performs her song "Vibeology" at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. Abdul was nominated for best female video for "Rush Rush" that year, but lost out to Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do (Without You)." (Frank Micelotta / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  4. It's all about the kids

    In 1993, Abdul and other singers, including Celine Dion and Bobby McFerrin, performed at "For Our Children," a live concert with proceeds benefiting the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Abdul started off the concert singing a jazzy version of Disney's classic "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah." (Everett Collection) Back to slideshow navigation
  5. Meet the Muppets

    Abdul is famed for performing with cartoon cat MC Skat Kat in her "Opposites Attract" video in 1989, so it perhaps wasn't much of a stretch for her to make an appearance on "Muppets Tonight" in 1996. (Everett Collection) Back to slideshow navigation
  6. Dynamic trio

    When "American Idol" launched in 2002, Abdul was paired with sardonic Brit Simon Cowell, left, and affable music producer Randy Jackson, right, as one of the show's three judges. She quickly developed a reputation as the always-positive judge, and just as quickly began to draw attention for her sometimes bizarre and outlandish comments. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  7. Gone to the dogs

    Abdul is seen hugging puppy Yoda at a fashion show in 2004. Abdul may be an animal lover, but in 2007, she broke her nose and toe when she tripped over her pet Chihuahua Tulip. Tulip was unhurt. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  8. Fashion plate

    Abdul arrives at the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund AMY awards in 2006. Long interested in fashion, she started her own jewelry line on QVC in 2007, and often displayed her work on "American Idol," even offering pieces to the singers. (Bryan Bedder / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  9. Star of her own show

    Abdul starred in a brief Bravo reality show called "Hey Paula" in 2007. The seven-episode show was panned by critics, who noted that Abdul came off as much less friendly than she does on "American Idol." One segment features the singer's emotional reaction to being fired from a movie based on the line of Bratz dolls, but Abdul later blamed creative editing for the way she appeared. (Bravo via Everett Collection) Back to slideshow navigation
  10. Time for slime

    Abdul and fellow "Idol" judge Randy Jackson accept the favorite TV show award won by the show at the 2007 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Despite -- or perhaps because of -- the numerous on- and off-set controversies, "American Idol" continues to dominate the Nielsen ratings. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  11. What happens in Vegas

    Abdul made an appearance at the gala premiere of Criss Angel Believe," a collaboration between illusionist Criss Angel and the acrobatic troupe Cirque du Soleil, at the Luxor Resort & Casino in 2008. (Ethan Miller / Getty Images for Cirque du Solei) Back to slideshow navigation
  12. On the red carpet

    Abdul continues to make the rounds of Hollywood events. She's seen here arriving at the premiere of the film "Swing Vote" in Hollywood, Calif., in 2008. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  13. Heating up the 'Idol' stage

    After scoring repeated hits from 1987-1996, the singer had seemingly put music on the back burner to pursue other interests. But in May 2009, Abdul performed her new single, "I'm Just Here for the Music," on an "American Idol" results show. (R Mickshaw / Getty Images for Fox) Back to slideshow navigation
  14. Sitting next to her replacement?

    In January 2009, "American Idol" added a fourth judge, songwriter Kara DioGuardi, second from left. Many critics and fans speculated that DioGuardi was added to eventually replace Abdul, although the four judges worked together for the 2009 season without incident. In August 2009, Abdul and Fox confirmed that she would not return to the show. (Fox) Back to slideshow navigation
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By
msnbc.com contributor
updated 9/7/2009 7:36:30 PM ET 2009-09-07T23:36:30

If the show must go on without her, ex-“American Idol” judge Paula Abdul plans to have revenge in the form of a hit show of her own.

A report published in the National Enquirer reveals Abdul has big ambitions for an upcoming Las Vegas revue. In fact, the singer-dancer-choreographer is said to have her sights set on nothing less than a stage-to-small screen sensation.

“Paula believes she's got the draw of a Cher or Bette Midler, and she's determined to rub the noses of the ‘Idol’ bosses in her success,” an insider told the magazine. "It's not just about the money. Her new mantra is success is the best revenge.”

And should that success outshine a certain televised talent show, all the better.

“If this thing takes off, Paula wants to spin off a TV version,” the source said. “Her fantasy is to go up in the same time slot as ‘American Idol’ — and to destroy them.”

That’s some fantasy. Abdul’s last solo show, “Hey Paula,” didn’t even destroy the cable TV competition.

Jennifer Aniston gives relationship advice
Sure, a few headline-grabbing breakups earned her a reputation as Hollywood’s lovelorn singleton, but that doesn’t mean Jennifer Aniston isn’t an expert when it comes to relationships. In a new interview with Australia’s Harper’s Bazaar, the actress shared her tips and tricks for making love last.

“I think a good relationship is about collaboration,” the “He’s Just Not That Into You” star said. “That’s the way to go in a relationship. I think you just need to talk to each other. Say what you need. Say what you want. That way it’s not threatening. You just need to say, ‘This is important to me.’ Don’t expect your mate to read your mind.”

Slideshow: More than ‘Friends’ According to Aniston’s, women in particular need to watch out. Rather than revealing their desires, they tend to risk their romances by filling them all themselves.

“I think that’s because it’s just instinctual as a woman to be the caretaker of your home,” Aniston said. “Women complain that men don’t do enough, but it’s your own fault. You train your man to do nothing. You can’t blame someone for not knowing what his or her job should be if you don’t ask for it right off the bat.”

For those who just can’t seem to make it work no matter how much of her advice they follow, the former “Friend” recommends learning from lost loves.

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“You should always have a sense of clarity at the end and know why it began and why it ended,” Aniston told the magazine. “You need that in your life to move cleanly into your next phase.”

Sounds like the sort of lesson one learns after breaking up with John Mayer — the second time.

Dish on the fly
Slideshow: Jennifer Lopez's rise to fame A set of his and her entourages divided a Mediterranean vacation meant to bring Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony closer together. “First of all, the purpose of this vacation was to celebrate Jenny’s completion of her movie ‘The Back-Up Plan,’ which basically took her away from Marc and twins Max and Emme for almost five months,” a source revealed to Now magazine. “But when she was planning the trip she wanted to bring along a bunch of her friends and even her make-up artist. Marc didn’t want to fight, so he agreed to that and brought three of his own buddies.” All of which led to separate sessions of sun and fun. “It meant they had hardly any time alone and the two entourages barely mixed at all,” the insider added. … Thanks to past peer problems, “Twilight” star Kristen Stewart was all too happy to switch to home-school when her career called for it. “I was glad to leave school,” the 19-year-old recalled in a quote published to Showbiz Spy. “I couldn’t relate to kids my own age. They are mean and don’t give you any chance.” … What do you give the heiress who has everything? More. According to Radar Online, Paris Hilton’s on-again beau Doug Reinhardt spent the weekend showering his gal pal with diamond encrusted baubles. “Doug told the (Cartier) salesman that money was no object,” an onlooker revealed. Of course, that depends on whose money he’s spending.

Tabloid Tidbits is compiled by Ree Hines.

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