It seems like every celebrity has been revealing who they would put on the Mount Rushmore of various pop culture fixtures, from Disney Channel stars to WNBA players to Sigourney Weaver movies. Now, “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul is weighing in on the conversation.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 06: Paula Abdul attends the World Premiere of Warner Bros.’ “The Color Purple” at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 06, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
PauseRewind’s Kevin Zelman asked the choreographer who she would put on her “American Idol” Mount Rushmore, but she didn’t have a quick answer. “You can’t do this to me!” she responded. “That’s a very difficult one because it would have to go by seasons.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 25: Paula Abdul attends the 52nd American Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Instead, Abdul decided to answer the question she’d rather be asked. “How ‘bout Mount Rushmore from when I was growing up?” she offered.
Her answer to her own question? “Stevie Wonder. Michael Jackson, the Jacksons. Carol King, and Joni Mitchell.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 10: Paula Abdul attends “How To Dance In Ohio” Broadway Opening Night at Belasco Theatre on December 10, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
You gotta hand it to her, that’s a pretty solid Mount Rushmore.
HOLLYWOOD – MAY 25: American Idol judges (L-R) Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, host Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell are seen infront of the stage at the American Idol Finale: Results Show held at the Kodak Theatre on May 25, 2005 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Zelman then informed Abdul that Ryan Seacrest recently answered the “American Idol” Mount Rushmore question, saying, “Well, it’d probably be the original team. The original panel.” That would be Seacrest, Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson.
Abdul agreed with Seacrest’s list. “I mean, how can anyone deny that?” she asked.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Paula Abdul attends Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 32nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 10, 2024 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for the Elton John AIDS Foundation)
Today, “American Idol” has a very different group of judges, with season four winner Carrie Underwood being joined by Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. But for the first eight seasons, it was the OGs, and they produced winners like Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, and Jordin Sparks, to name a few. It’s hard to beat a legacy like that.
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