Paula Abdul ‘grateful’ to work with Janet Jackson

Paula Abdul will “always be grateful” for working with Janet Jackson.

The 64-year-old star choreographed Janet’s music videos for Control, her 1986 album, and Paula still feels proud to have worked with the chart-topping icon.

She told People: “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.”

Paula admitted that she’s exceeded her own expectations in the music business.

She said: “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 I’ve dreamt of having a career like this, and it superseded any of my aspirations, my dreams, and I’m so grateful for that.”

Meanwhile, Paula previously described the stage as her “happy place”.

The dancer has suffered various injuries during the course of her career, but she relishes performing on stage.

She told DailyMail.com: “I love being able to communicate through music and dance and as long as I can continue to do it I’m going to do it for as long as I can.

“You know, being on stage is a happy place for me.”

Paula battled a chronic back problem earlier in her career – but she’s benefited from adopting a strict, health-conscious diet.

Paula – who began her career as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team at the age of 18 – shared: “I don’t like to say dieting, but I eat in a healthy way which incorporates a lot of elements from an alkaline diet because my body, just from injuries alone, carries a lot of acidity – so I try to keep the balance right so I can keep as much inflammation out of my body.”