‘American Idol’ star Paula Abdul filed a sexual assault suit against producer Nigel Lythgoe

Updated On March 18, 2024 | Published By: Caitlin | In controversy , Legal

Source: PEOPLE.com

Paula Abdul accused television producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault.
She alleged that Nigel assaulted her twice while they both worked on the hit shows American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.
However, Nigel has been denying the accusation made against him.

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What allegation is Nigel Lythgoe accused of?

Nigel Lythgoe is embroiled in a court struggle after American singer and dancer Paula Abdul filed a complaint against him.

On Friday, December 29, Paula sued the British television executive, 74, of multiple counts of sexual assault in Los Angeles Country Superior Court.

She alleged that Nigel assaulted her twice while they both worked on the hit shows American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.

American Idol incident

In the lawsuit, the 61-year-old singer claimed that the first instance of assault happened during the first season of American Idol when the two were on the road for regional auditions in the early 2000s.

Paula was a judge on the series between 2002 and 2009.

Paula Abdul alleged that Nigel assaulted her twice while they both worked on the hit show (Source: PEOPLE.com)

She described that Lythgoe assaulted her in a lift at their hotel, however, she was able to escape at the time. The suit alleges,

“Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts and began shoving his tongue down her throat. Abdul attempted to push Lythgoe away from her and let him know that his behavior was not acceptable.”

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Following the alleged assault, she immediately informed her representatives from her hotel room, although she chose not to take action “for fear that Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol.”

So You Think You Can Dance incident

The lawsuit reportedly claims that another incident of assault occurred in 2015 during a business dinner at Lythgoe’s residence.

Paula went to his home “believing this to be a professional invitation” however he allegedly forced himself on her. The document states,

Paula Abdul accused television producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault (Source: PEOPLE.com)

“He [Lythgoe] forced himself on top of Abdul while she was seated on his couch and attempted to kiss her while proclaiming that the two would make an excellent ‘power couple,'”

According to reports, Abdul “pushed Lythgoe off her,” and claimed she was not interested in his advances.

Further, the singer revealed she witnessed Lythgoe assault one of his assistants that same year in Las Vegas, during the filming of So You Think You Can Dance.

Also read A woman alleged Russel Brand of sexual assault during the filming of Arthur in 2010

What did Nigel Lythgoe say about the allegation made against him?

Nigel has been denying the accusation made against him. He released a statement to TMZ in response to these allegations. The statement reads,

“To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement. For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear, and entirely platonic, friends and colleagues.”
“Yesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear: not only are they re deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for. While Paula’s history of erratic behaviour is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue. But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have.”

Besides, Abdul sued several production companies for sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence.

Those companies include 19 Entertainment Inc., FremantleMedia North America Inc., American Idol Productions Inc., and Dance Nation Production Inc.

Also read ‘Cheer’ star Monica Aldama is being sued for allegedly concealing instances of sexual assault

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