It’s 1991. MTV is actually playing music videos. You’re sitting on your floral-print sofa, and suddenly, a five-minute cinematic epic starts playing. It looks like a classic 1950s film, but the faces are familiar. It’s Paula Abdul and a very young, very floppy-haired Keanu Reeves.
The video for Rush Rush wasn't just another pop clip. It was a full-blown event.
Honestly, if you grew up in that era, you probably spent a significant amount of time wondering if they were actually a couple. They had this weirdly intense, soft-focus chemistry that felt a little too real for a music video. People have been asking about Paula Abdul and Keanu Reeves for decades. Did they date? Was it just for the cameras?
Let’s get into the actual story because the truth is kinda more charming than the rumors.
The Underwear, the Air Guitar, and the First Meeting
You’d think a collaboration between a global pop superstar and a rising movie star would start with a stiff meeting in a boardroom. Nope. Paula actually told this story on Watch What Happens Live a few years back, and it’s basically the most "Keanu" thing you’ve ever heard.
Before they started filming, Paula wanted to introduce herself. She went to his trailer, and the door was slightly cracked. When she looked in, Keanu was standing there in nothing but his underwear. He had headphones on. He was playing air guitar.
He had no idea she was there.
Paula didn’t walk in. She just stood there and thought, "That's my boyfriend." She was joking, obviously, but the vibe was set. They hadn't even shared a frame yet, and the "crush" was already established, at least on the part of the fans watching from home.
Why the Rush Rush Video Was a Massive Risk
By 1991, Paula Abdul was the queen of high-energy dance. Think "Cold Hearted" or "Straight Up." She was known for complex choreography and being a literal "Laker Girl" success story.
Then came "Rush Rush."
It was a ballad. A slow, sweeping, dramatic ballad. Her label was nervous. They weren't sure the "dance girl" could pull off a torch song. To make it work, the video had to be a masterpiece. They decided to do a shot-for-shot homage to the 1955 James Dean classic Rebel Without a Cause.
The Cast and the Director
- Director: Stefan Würnitzer (produced by Lucasfilm Commercial Productions).
- The Role of Jim Stark: Keanu Reeves.
- The Role of Judy: Paula Abdul.
- The Setting: Griffith Observatory and the iconic "Chicken Run" cliffside.
Keanu was just coming off Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. He was the "cool new guy" in Hollywood, but he hadn't quite become the Matrix or John Wick icon yet. He was beautiful, gawky, and had that pensive energy that fit the James Dean mold perfectly.
Did Paula Abdul and Keanu Reeves Ever Actually Date?
Let’s kill the suspense: No. They never dated. Paula has been very clear about this in every retrospective interview she’s given. When asked if they ever "had a thing," her response is usually a variation of "I wish!"
They spent long hours on set together. They filmed that famous kissing scene at four in the morning. If you watch the video, there’s a moment where they’re talking in a dark, empty mansion. Keanu is lighting candles. It feels incredibly intimate. But the reality was just two professionals doing their jobs—even if one of those professionals was secretly swooning over the other’s air guitar skills.
The rumors persisted because the public wanted it to be true. In the early 90s, they were the ultimate "it" pairing that never was.
The "Chicken Run" and the Logistics of 90s Music Videos
The "Rush Rush" video was expensive. It was shot on film, not video, which is why it still looks so good on a 4K screen today. They actually went to the Griffith Observatory. They recreated the knife fight and the drag race where the cars head toward the cliff.
In the video, Paula’s character’s boyfriend (played by a guy who looked significantly less "James Dean" than Keanu) drives his car off the cliff and dies.
The weirdest part?
Paula’s character doesn’t really mourn him. The guy hits the rocks, the car explodes, and about thirty seconds later, she’s running into Keanu’s arms. It’s some cold-blooded 1950s drama logic. But fans didn't care. They just wanted to see Keanu escape the car in time—which he did, showing a tiny glimpse of the action star he’d eventually become in Point Break and Speed.
Why People Still Talk About This Pairing
There is a specific kind of nostalgia for this era of celebrity. It was before social media. We didn't know what Keanu ate for breakfast or what Paula was thinking every hour of the day. All we had were these heavily stylized, five-minute stories.
The "Rush Rush" video captured a specific moment in time:
- The Transition of Keanu: He was moving from "stoner comedy guy" to "serious leading man."
- The Rebirth of Paula: She proved she could handle a mature, vocal-heavy track without hiding behind a cartoon cat (sorry, MC Skat Kat).
- The Peak of the Music Video as Art: This wasn't just a promo; it was a short film produced by Lucasfilm.
Misconceptions to Clear Up
A lot of people think George Lucas directed it because his company produced it. He didn't. Stefan Würnitzer did. Also, people often misremember the song as being from her first album. It was actually the lead single from her second album, Spellbound.
Another thing? That milk bottle scene. In the video, Keanu holds a cold bottle of milk to his forehead to "cool his rage." It’s a direct reference to James Dean in Rebel, but if you don't know the movie, it just looks like Keanu really loves dairy.
What You Should Do Next
If you haven't seen the video in a decade, go find the Extended Version. There’s a version with a full minute of dialogue at the beginning that gives the story way more context. You get to hear Keanu use his "serious actor" voice before the music even starts.
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If you’re a fan of Keanu’s newer work, it’s a trip to see him so young and vulnerable. For Paula fans, it’s a reminder of why she was the biggest star on the planet for a few years.
Check out the "Rush Rush" behind-the-scenes footage if you can find it on YouTube. It shows a lot of the Griffith Observatory setup and gives you a better look at that 4:00 AM kiss they both remember so fondly.
Once you’ve done that, look up Paula’s 1991 VMA performance of "Vibeology." It’s the exact opposite of the "Rush Rush" vibe and shows just how much range she was trying to prove she had during that Spellbound era.