(usartical) Paula Abdul has sued Nigel Lythgoe, the former producer of “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” alleging sexual assault.
Abdul claims that Lythgoe sexually assaulted her during one of the “initial seasons” of “Idol,” in which she served as a judge for eight seasons beginning in 2002 and again in 2014 when she was hosting “SYTYCD,” in a lawsuit filed on Friday in Los Angeles and covered by news organizations such as Variety and Rolling Stone.
The producer expressed his amazement and sadness while refuting the accusations in a statement sent to USARTICAL on Saturday.
“Not only are (the claims) false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for,” Lythgoe stated. “Despite Paula’s well-known history of unpredictable conduct, I find it difficult to see why she would bring a lawsuit that she must be aware is false. But I guarantee that I will use every resource at my disposal to combat this heinous smear.
Douglas Johnson, Abdul’s attorney, commended Abdul in a statement for her choice to come forward.
Johnson stated, “Ms. Abdul is determined to see that justice is done, knowing that she stands in the shoes and on the shoulders of many other similarly situated survivors. ”The lawsuit claims that Lythgoe “shoved Abdul against the wall, grabbed her breasts and genitalia, and started shoving his tongue down her throat.” Abdul tried to elbow Lythgoe out of her way. Abdul hurried from the elevator to her hotel room as soon as the doors to the elevator for her opened. Abdul promptly informed one of her representatives about the attack over the phone while sobbing.
Years later, Abdul, 61, thought it was a “professional invitation” and invited Lythgoe, 74, for dinner at his house.
The lawsuit states that “Lythgoe tried to kiss Abdul while she was sitting on his couch toward the end of the evening, forcing himself on top of her and saying they would make a great ‘power couple.'” Abdul told Lythgoe that she was not interested in his approaches and pushed him away before heading out.
In exchange for her work on both shows, Abdul had to sign a non-disclosure agreement that forbade her from speaking about “sensitive information” in public.
She claims in the lawsuit that she chose to keep quiet about the accusations because she thought Lythgoe would take revenge. Additionally, according to Abdul, Lythgoe once called to make fun of her for filing a case since it was “seven years and the statute of limitations had run.”
View this post on Instagram
In exchange for her work on both shows, Abdul had to sign a non-disclosure agreement that forbade her from speaking about “sensitive information” in public.
She claims in the lawsuit that she chose to keep quiet about the accusations because she thought Lythgoe would take revenge. Additionally, according to Abdul, Lythgoe once called to make fun of her for filing a case since it was “seven years and the statute of limitations had run.”