Former American Idol producer, Nigel Lythgoe, denies he sexually assaulted Paula Abdul
Former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe released a statement on Saturday vigorously denying that he sexualy assaulted Paula Abdul, as she claims in a bombshell lawsuit that she filed on Friday (Dec 29).
“To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement,” Lythgoe said in a statement. “For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear — and entirely platonic — friends and colleagues.”
The So You Think You Can Dance co-creator and judge added, “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.”
“While Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue,” Lythgoe ends the statement. “But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have.”
Paula describes two incidents where she claims Nigel sexually assaulted her. In the early seasons of American Idol, she claims Lythgoe grabbed her breasts and genitals and tried to kiss her while the crew was out on the road to film auditions.
Paula Abdul Sues American Idol Exec Nigel Lythgoe for Sexual Assault
Additionally, she claims that in 2015, after signing a new contract to serve as judge on SYTYCD, Lythgoe forced himself on top of her while she was on a couch trying to kiss her. He invited her to his home under the guise that he wanted to discuss business, she said. Also in 2015, Paula claims she witnessed Lythgoe groping one of her assistants.
Paula Abdul’s “erratic behavior”
Lythgoe refers to Paula’s “erratic behavior” without going into detail. During American Idol, there were rumors. Most infamously, a season 2 contestant, Corey Clark, claimed the two had a torrid affair while he was a contestant. Paula denied it, and the scandal quieted down. However, FOX instituted new rules which stipulated that cast and crew could not fraternize with the contestants. Indeed, in a recent interview with the Washington Post, season 2 runner-up, Clay Aiken revealed that he had his first gay relationship with a member of the Idol staff. “There were a few affairs between our contestants and people who worked on the show,” Clay confessed to the Post.
Additionally, Paula seemed to struggle on set. Rumors swirled that the pop star was addicted to pain killers she took to deal with discomfort after a plane crash in the 90s. The judge seemed to be slurring her words at times, seemingly unable to put a coherent thought together.
If this lawsuit ever goes to trial, there appears to be plenty of ammunition Lythgoe could bring to the proceedings. However, if Paula is telling the truth (why would she make up spurious claims at this point in her career? If her charges are false, she could be experiencing some kind of mental breakdown) it would be pretty gross if his lawyers dredged stuff up from Paula’s past.
The lawsuit claims that Lythgoe’s behavior was common knowledge
Paula did not report the incidents at the time due to fear of retaliation. The suit alleges that Lythgoe’s behavior was common knowledge. She is suing Lythgoe, 19 Entertainment, FremantleMedia North America, American Idol Productions, and Dance Nation Productions. for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence and negligence. She is using California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act which gives plaintiffs a window to file claims that would otherwise be past the statute of limitations.
So You Think You Can Dance season 18 is set to premiere in March with Nigel Lythgoe on the judges panel. Will FOX pull the plug on the season, which is mostly if not completely filmed?
