Paula Abdul connects to her Jewish roots on tourist trip to Israel

'It's been magical and emotional': Paula Abdul connects to her Jewish roots on tourist trip to Israel

Paula Abdul with Israel President Shimon Peres

By DAVID MAC DOUGALL, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PUBLISHED: 4 November 2013 

She may have became famous from her hit songs, impressive choreography and judging on American Idol, but Paul Abdul explored her spiritual side during a recent trip to Israel.

The former American Idol and The X Factor judge discussed her Jewish heritage and even said she was planning on holding a belated Bat Mitzvah - the Jewish coming of age ceremony girls typically have at age 12 or 13.

'Beyond being Jewish, I've always found myself to be very much in tune with spirituality,' the 51-year-old told The Associated Press. 'I feel very grateful coming to Israel now, where as a woman I know who I am a lot more than even 10 years ago.'

Pleased to meet you Mr President: Paula Abdul shares a laugh 

with Shimon Peres in Israel 

An official guest of Israel's ministry of tourism, Abdul has been touring the country and visiting holy sites, museums and markets in Jerusalem. Israeli President Shimon Peres also hosted the former Lakers Girl.

Abdul said the trip has provided her a rare opportunity to experience the country like a 'regular tourist' without the nonstop schedule of a concert tour.

'I've traveled the world touring and things like that but I don't get the chance to see much of wherever I'm at,' she said. Abdul described the visit as 'the most magnificent trip I've ever taken... magical and emotional.'

After a music career that saw her have six number one singles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Abdul reinvented herself as a quirky judge of talent on American Idol. 

She left the U.S. talent show in 2009 after eight seasons over a contract dispute. She later had one season as a judge on the U.S. version of The X Factor. She'll appear next year as a judge on Australia's version of So You Think You Can Dance.

These days though, Abdul describes herself as 'a fan of talent.' She also said she tries to dance as much as she can. 'I dance because I have to, because I'm so passionate about it,' Abdul said.

She's famous here too: Abdul is well known for her hit singles, her choreography 

and her American Idol judging 

Going for gold: Paula in full glamorous mode in a floor length dress 

at a Fox party in Los Angeles last month

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2486981/Paula-Abdul-connects-Jewish-roots-tourist-trip-Israel.html#ixzz2lBmtsnMc 

Check here: Daily Mail UK