Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe, the executive producer of “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” alleging sexual assault on two occasions during her time as a judge on these reality shows.
Lythgoe, 74, vehemently denies the allegations, stating that their relationship has always been platonic and professional.
Abdul, 61, claims that the first incident occurred in an elevator during an early season of “American Idol,” where Lythgoe allegedly assaulted her by shoving her against a wall, grabbing her genitals and breasts, and forcefully kissing her.
The lawsuit details Abdul’s immediate reaction, where she ran out of the elevator, called her representative in tears, and reported the assault.
The second alleged assault took place in 2015 at Lythgoe’s home after a dinner invitation. Abdul contends that Lythgoe forcibly tried to kiss her, proclaiming they would make an “excellent power couple.”
She resisted, pushed him away, and left immediately. The lawsuit also accuses Lythgoe of sexually assaulting one of Abdul’s assistants during the production of “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2015.
Abdul further claims that she endured verbal harassment and bullying from Lythgoe during her tenure on “American Idol,” alleging discrimination and pay disparity compared to male counterparts.
The lawsuit emphasizes Abdul’s silence over the years due to fear of reprisal in an industry known for protecting powerful figures.
The court documents reveal a taunting phone call from Lythgoe to Abdul, where he allegedly celebrated the expiration of the statute of limitations.
The lawsuit implicates not only Lythgoe but also the production companies behind the shows, including American Idol Productions, Dance Nation Productions, 19 Entertainment, and Fremantlemedia North America.
The legal action was filed under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act by the Los Angeles-based firm Johnson & Johnson. The law, AB 2777, extended the statute of limitations for civil suits in some sexual assault cases, providing survivors with an opportunity to seek justice.
Managing partner Douglas L. Johnson commended Abdul for her courage in taking action against the alleged abuse and emphasized the importance of giving survivors a platform to share their stories in the post-MeToo era.
The court documents reveal a taunting phone call from Lythgoe to Abdul, where he allegedly celebrated the expiration of the statute of limitations.
The lawsuit implicates not only Lythgoe but also the production companies behind the shows, including American Idol Productions, Dance Nation Productions, 19 Entertainment, and Fremantlemedia North America.
The legal action was filed under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act by the Los Angeles-based firm Johnson & Johnson. The law, AB 2777, extended the statute of limitations for civil suits in some sexual assault cases, providing survivors with an opportunity to seek justice.
Managing partner Douglas L. Johnson commended Abdul for her courage in taking action against the alleged abuse and emphasized the importance of giving survivors a platform to share their stories in the post-MeToo era.