LOS ANGELES: Paula Abdul, renowned singer, dancer, and former ‘American Idol’ star, has filed a lawsuit accusing British television executive Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault during their collaboration on two prominent talent shows. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, details alleged incidents of sexual assault by Lythgoe during the early seasons of ‘American Idol’ and later on ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’
According to court documents, the lawsuit claims that Lythgoe sexually assaulted Abdul in an elevator during the early seasons of ‘American Idol,’ groping her and engaging in unwanted physical contact. Abdul reportedly reported the incident to her representatives immediately but refrained from taking action out of fear of losing her job. The lawsuit also contends that Abdul’s contracts prohibited her from speaking out.
Paula Abdul Allegations Against Nigel Lythgoe
Another alleged assault occurred years later when Abdul worked as a judge on ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’ The lawsuit states that Lythgoe assaulted her on the couch of his Los Angeles home after a work dinner, and Abdul promptly rejected him, leaving his residence.
Lythgoe, a producer of several hit television talent competitions, including ‘American Idol,’ denied the allegations. He told TMZ, “For more than two decades, Paula [Abdul] 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 false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for.”
The lawsuit also includes other allegations against Lythgoe, including claims that he taunted Abdul over the alleged assaults and that Abdul witnessed him assaulting one of her assistants on ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’
Submitted just before the December 31 filing deadline under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, the lawsuit allows individuals to bring sexual abuse lawsuits that would otherwise have fallen outside the statute of limitations.
