TV personality Paula Abdulhas turned her passion for dance, music, and acting into a full-time career.
Sadly, her personal life was marked by tragedy.
This chain of events began when she was just a child.
In 1995, the young star confessed that she had lived with bulimia for 15 years.
“I’d starve myself, then binge, then purge,“Abdul told People.
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They parted ways two years later after she realized that her husband didn’t want to grow their family.
Love knocked at her door again in 1996 when she married entrepreneur Brad Beckerman.
Sadly, their relationship ended 17 months later because they couldn’t get along.
In 2020, the TV host started a relationship with restaurant owner J.T.
Torregiani, whom she has dated in the past.
“Definitely within the next two years.
I thought by now I’d have three grown children.”
Abdul also added that she was open to adoption.
Her name was Paula Goodspeed, and she reportedly stalked the TV star for 17 years.
During this time, Goodspeed sent Abdul over 100 letters and dropped by her house unannounced.
“It was very tragic and very upsetting to hear,“Abdul explained to Peopleat the time.
That year, she was also diagnosed with a neurological disorder and underwent two other surgeries by 2007.
“I have a lot of sleepless nights because I’m in so much pain.”
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Call or text 988 or chat988lifeline.org.
Its symptoms include dry skin, joint stiffness, and reduced mobility, per theAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Abdul underwent several surgeries and took medications to manage her symptoms.
Her life changed after she met rheumatology expert Daniel Wallace.
“At the time, my sadness and pain were almost unbearable.
My assistant said, ‘Just see him.
You don’t have anything to lose,'” Abdul recalled inan interviewwith People.
Dr. Wallace prescribed Enbrel, a drug used to treat arthritis.
“The best feeling of all is in the mornings when I am able to stretch and not cry.
And I don’t wake up in the middle of the night crying,” she said.
This time, she had pain in her joints during physical activity.
The star knew something was off, so she scheduled an appointment with her doctor.
He diagnosed her with osteoarthritis, one of themost common causes of joint painand stiffness.
Asshe told People, “I kept thinking, at least it wasn’t something in my head.”
The former LA Lakers cheerleader decided to prioritize her well-being and not let the pain take over.
The dancer also takes ice baths to keep the inflammation down and does Pilates to maintain her flexibility.
Abdul was also diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2005, according to her rheumatologist, Daniel Wallace.
She also emphasized that she has to stay active to manage her pain and feel good mentally.
The two engaged in an argument, and the man became violent.
Abdul filed a report against him but didn’t provide further details.
Abdul has also accused television producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault in December 2023.
Lythgoe tried to forcefully kiss her while touching her private parts and later hit her repeatedly.
The television producer denied the allegations, claiming that he’s nothing more than a friend to Abdul.
“I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have,” he added.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available.
