American Idol and SYTYCD producer Nigel Lythgoe hit with a THIRD sexual assault lawsuit
A new sexual assault lawsuit has been filed against Nigel Lythgoe. It’s the third suit filed accusing the former American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance judge/producer of sexual misconduct and abuse.
The latest lawsuit, filed on Saturday (Feb 17) in Los Angeles Superior court, comes after Paula Abdul, who worked with Lythgoe on both shows, sued the producer in December over two separate incidents of sexual assault.
Additionally, in January, a pair of unnamed contestants on “AAG” (presumably an ABC reality show titled All American Girl) came forward with accusations that he made unwanted sexual advances and groped them inside his Los Angeles home in 2003. The defendant was only identified as “N.L.” which multiple outlets identified as Lythgoe.
According to the suit, detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, the accuser met Lythgoe in 2016 at a hotel in Beverly Hills and that he “insisted” on driving her home. The complaint describes the alleged assault, which took place inside his car over the course of at least 10 minutes.
“Plaintiff tried to push Lythgoe away from her and instruct Lythgoe’s driver how to return to her house, but Lythgoe continued to grab at Plaintiff, fondle her breasts, and kiss her,” the suit states. “Lythgoe even shoved his hand up Plaintiff’s skirt and penetrated her genitalia.”
The woman claims Lythgoe eventually stopped once his driver arrived at her apartment after allegedly taking an unexpectedly long route. She alleges she continues to suffer severe mental anguish due to the incident.
The complaint brings claims for sexual battery, gender violence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It seeks an unspecified amount in damages.
Lythgoe has stepped away from current season of So You Think You Can Dance
Lythgoe has since stepped away from the role of judge and producer on So You Think You Can Dance since the allegations surfaced. The new season of SYTYCD premieres on FOX March 4 with dancer JoJo Siwa, one of last season’s judges, taking Lythgoe’s place on the panel.
Lythgoe did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest allegations. He has come out publicly to deny the Abdul claims.
“It is troubling to hear of yet another alleged incident of a woman being taken advantage of and abused by a prominent public figure,” said Melissa Eubanks, a lawyer for the Jane Doe plaintiff who also represents Abdul in her suit against Lythgoe, in a statement.
Abdul 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.
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.
