1. Paula Abdul connects to Jewish roots
in Israel
JERUSALEM (AP) ?a Paula Abdul, an award-winning singer, dancer, choreographer and
television personality, will adda new title to her resume: religious pilgrim.
The former “American Idol” and “The X-Factor” judge is for my child first vacation
to Israel, where she actually is connecting to her Jewish roots and planning on holding a
belated Bat Mitzvah ?a the Jewish coming of age ceremony girls ordinarily haveat
age 12 or 13. Portland Escorts
"Beyond being Jewish, I’ve always found myself being much in tune with spirituality,” the
51-year-old Abdul told The Associated Press. “I really feel grateful coming over to Israel
now,where aswomenI realize who I am a lot more than even 10 years ago.”
An official guest of Israel’s secretary of state for tourism, Abdul has become touring the
united states and visiting holy sites, museums and markets in Jerusalem. Israeli
President Shimon Peres also hosted the first sort Lakers Girl.
Abdul said the trip offers her an infrequentpossiblity toenjoy the country such as
a “regular tourist” without worrying about nonstop schedule on the concert tour.
"I’ve traveled the earth touring and things like that on the other handdon’t end up
beingthe ability to see a lot of wherever I’m at,” she said. Abdul described the visit as “the
most magnificent tripThat i have ever taken … magical and emotional.”

2. After a music career that saw her have six No. 1 singles in the late ’80s and early ’90s,
Abdul reinvented herself as quirky judge of talent on “American Idol.” She left “Idol” just
last year after eight seasons spanning a contract dispute. She later had one season to be
a judge within theU.S. version of “The X-Factor.” She’ll appear next seasonas being
a judge on Australia’s sort of“So You’re Thinking ThatYou’ll Be Able To Dance.”
These days though, Abdul describes herself “a fan of talent.” She also said she tries
to danceapproximatelyshe’ll.
"I dance because I have to, because I’m so obsessed with it,” Abdul said.
However, she admits she’s not much of a fan of twerking, the recently much-talked-about
dance involving thrusting hips and also a low stance adopted by U.S. singer Miley Cyrus.
“Twerkinghas been aroundfor many people, decades,” Abdul said. She recalled that at
the beginning ofrap videos there were “girls bending down and twerking almost
everywhere.”
"I think when girls dance, they will be girls,” Abdul said. “I don’t still find itthe bestform
of dance. My Chihuahua can twerk and stick her tongue out while doing so too.”