Nigel Lythgoe steps down from BritWeek following sexual assault allegations!
English TV and film producer, Nigel Lythgoe has decided to step down from his organization, BritWeek. Three women have filed sexual assault allegations against him and he wants to focus on getting his name cleared from it.
Nigel Lythgoe steps down from BritWeek
It was in 2007 that British film and TV producer, Nigel Lythgoe, 74 co-founded BritWeek. It is a non-profit organization that was started with the aim to build relations between creative professionals of the UK and the USA. This organization was responsible for the arrangements of star-studded events every spring in Los Angeles where British-created innovations were showcased. This included those in the music, TV, films, art, design, and philanthropy field.
But now, Nigel has decided to take the step back and not be part of this organization. An inside source revealed to Radar Online that the producer has made this decision earlier this week. He wants to concentrate on clearing his name from the sexual assault allegations against him brought about by three women including singer Paula Abdul.
There are two lawsuits against him on this matter. The decision to withdraw himself from BritWeek means that he will not be part of the spring event this year.
The other organizations that Nigel has distanced himself from
Nigel was also part of the show So You Think You Can Dance in the capacity of an executive. But one week back, Nigel has also left the duties of the show. He released a statement on it in which he said:
“I have informed the producers of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ of my decision to step back from participating in this year’s series. I did so with a heavy heart but entirely voluntarily because this great program has always been about dance and dancers, and that’s where its focus needs to remain,”
Nigel added:
“In the meantime, I am dedicating myself to clearing my name and restoring my reputation.”
Nigel has also put in his resignation from the show American Dance Movement (previously Dizzy Feet) that he had co-founded in 2010 with Adam Shankman.
Moreover, Nigel is also selling his properties. He had a home in Toluca Lake that he has put up for sale at a price of USD 5 million. Nigel also owned the California winery with Ken Warwick. He has put it up for sales before Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit against him. Earlier the quoted price was USD 22 million. He has slashed the price this week by USD 5.5 million. It appears that he is in a hurry to sell these properties.
The two lawsuits against Nigel
Singer Paula Abdul had sued the producer in December 2023. She alleged that Nigel had forced himself on her when she was a judge on shows American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. In her court documents, she cited two incidents of sexual assault. Moreover, she also claimed that Nigel had called her up to gloat over the fact that the statute of limitations had gone by.
Nigel was also co-producer of the show All American Girl in 2003. But the show was short-lived. Two contestants of the show have also sued him stating that he had showed up on the sets and also entered their dressing room uninvited. There, he had groped and swatted their butts.
Their court papers add that he had asked one of them to ride with him to the studio after the wrap party. For safety reasons, the second girl accompanied her friend. But he took both to his home where he sexually assaulted them.
Short bio on Nigel Lythgoe
Nigel Lythgoe is an English TV and film producer. More bio…