American Idol and SYTYCD Shocker: Paula Abdul sues producer Nigel Lythgoe for sexual assault
Shocking news. Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe, claiming he sexually assaulted her multiple times while she was judging American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.
According to TMZ, Paula filed the lawsuit Friday in L.A. County. In the documents, obtained by the outlet, she alleges the first assault happened during “one of Idol’s initial seasons” while they were on the road for regional auditions. Paula claims she and Nigel got into an elevator at their hotel, and once the doors closed he shoved her against the wall and grabbed her genitals and breasts. He also tried to tongue-kiss her.
Nigel Lythgoe was an executive producer on American Idol at its inception, and through most of the FOX seasons. He also co-created and executive produced the dance competition, So You Think You Can Dance, which is currently in production with Nigel sitting on the judges panel. It’s scheduled to premiere in March.
Paula stayed quiet, fearing retaliation
In the suit posted at TMZ, Paula says she tried to push him away, and then ran to her room once the elevator doors opened. She immediately called one of her reps to inform them about the alleged incident. the suit says, but fearing she’d be fired in retaliation, she decided to keep quiet.
“For years, Abdul has remained silent about the sexual assaults and harassment she experienced on account of Lythgoe due to fear of speaking out against one of the most well-known producers of television competition shows who could easily break her career as a television personality and of being ostracized and blackballed by an industry that had a pattern of protecting powerful men and silencing survivors of sexual assault and harassment,” the lawsuit states, according to Variety
The second alleged encounter happened after she signed a new contract in 2015 to be a judge on SYTYCD, she says. According to the suit, at some point during her two seasons on the show, Lythgoe invited Paula to his house to discuss work opportunities. Thinking it was a professional meeting, she accepted the invitation.
However, she claims the evening ended with Lythgoe forcing himself on top of her while she was on a couch trying to kiss her. In the suit, she says he was telling her they would make an “excellent power couple.” Paula pushed him off of her, and said she was not interested and immediately left. Additionally, on SYTYCD in 2015, Paula claims that she witnessed Lythgoe grope one of her assistants.
Lythgoe taunted Paula over the statute of limitations running out
Paula also claims Lythgoe “taunted” her by calling her at some point to say they should celebrate because it had been “7 years and the statute of limitations had run.”
In the suit, Paula alleges she was the victim of harassment and discrimination, in terms of compensation and during her time judging American Idol. Remember, she left the show after the 2009 season after a pay dispute.
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. The suit alleges the companies failed to take steps to discipline Lythgoe and protected him from accountability.
Paula is coming forward now, she says, due to 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.
The suit alleges that Lythgoe’s behavior was common knowledge, and cites a MADtv parody in which Lythgoe was seen harassing contestants. Lythgoe has yet to comment.
