The term “Katy Perrification” has become commonly used on Stan Twitter to describe artists whose careers are taking a nosedive.
This term is in reference to what happened to Katy Perry during the Witness era. As we know, Katy Perry was an exceptionally successful commercial artist over a period of 6 years. That changed fast. The decline wasn’t gradual. It was swift.
But before Katy Perry, there was another extremely successful artist whose career hit a brick wall harder than even Katy Perry’s did; The name of that artist?Paula Abdul.
Paula Abdul was a dancer for the Los Angeles Lakers when she was discovered by the Jackson’s. She was a choreographer for the group and then went on to choreograph Janet Jackson’s music videos for the ‘Control’ era.
In 1987, Paula set out to create her own music career and was signed by Virgin Records. In 1988, she released her debut album ‘Forever Your Girl’. At the time it became the most successful debut album in history. The album produced four #1 hits and an additional Top 10 hit.
Straight Up: #1
Forever Your Girl: #1
Cold Hearted: #1
Opposites Attract: #1
The Way That You Love Me: #3
The album had so much success that it was the 3rd best selling album of 1989 and the 6th best selling album of 1990. ‘Forever Your Girl’ won a Grammy, two American Music Awards and four MTV VMAs.
The stakes were high for Paula going into her second era. In 1991, the era began with the release of lead single “Rush Rush”. This single proved Paula had staying power. The song went on to be the 4th biggest hit of 1991 (and the most successful song by a female singer).
Her sophomore album ’Spellbound’ was released a month after the release of “Rush Rush” and peaked at #1. ‘Spellbound’ produced a second #1 hit with “The Promise of a New Day”, followed by an additional Top 10 hit “Blowing Kisses in the Wind” (#6). The fourth and fifth singles peaked in the Top 20.
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