There's a sneaky opening scene with a backstage-rehearsal vibe that escalates quickly into a magnificent leap from a tall platform. There's a lot of storytelling mixed into all that memorable pop choreography. There's a funked-up version of "Opposites Attract" and an emotional interpretive dance with "Blowing Kisses in the Wind." And there's a slightly profane live-action version of MC Skat Kat.
Paula Abdul is especially animated onstage at the Flamingo for her Forever Your Girl residency, a really big show in a small room. The Weekly stepped onstage after her recent grand opening performance to chat with the MTV icon and dig into the creation of this unique production. If you've seen the show, you won't be surprised to find out she's an open book.
The opening is a sort of dance rehearsal scene and it's fun and just feels like you, and then when you're onstage and the lights come up and it's time to start, it's so dramatic. I wanted to start the show with a throwback to how I started. I wanted to create a show that is authentic to who I am and show possibility and stick-to-it-ness and determination and adversity. And I want people to feel like they left with inspiration and hope and got to know who I am a little bit more.
You've built a lot more production into this show than a lot of people anticipated. That's what I do no matter where I am. It's interesting because even when I got the bug to start performing again three years ago, touring with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men, my 35- to 40-minute segment was a very theatrical segment. I always knew if I got the chance to do something like this, it would have to be here in Las Vegas or on Broadway, because the type of show I want is intimate and personal.
There's a lot of storytelling, and you even take us back to the time of the serious plane accident and injury that almost ended your career. It was a very, very trying time. Because I've worked so hard to accomplish what I have and no one handed me anything, when that happened, I didn't want anyone to know. I didn't want anyone to count me out as damaged goods. So a lot of that [secrecy] was people signing NDAs [nondisclosure agreements] and not talking about it, and I never raised a suit with the jet company. I didn't want anyone to know and I thought I was going to be OK, but I wasn't. It was tough enough to go through countless surgeries hoping the next one would be the one that cures me, but during that time, everyone dropped me. I couldn't record anymore. It was a very scary time, and it was very easy to just give in. But I always believed there was something better and that I would get through somehow.
Why was it so important to you to present that in your show? I just want people to leave with hope and inspiration and know that you're not alone, even when you think you are, and to find the courage that it takes to reach out and connect with people. I'm beyond grateful to have this opportunity, and I can't believe I'm still able to do what I love to do and that I've been given another chance. It's the coolest thing.
PAULA ABDUL: FOREVER YOUR GIRL November 28-30, 8 p.m., $70-$130. Flamingo Showroom, 702-777-2782.
