Paula Abdul sues producer of American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance co-judge Nigel Lythgoe over alleged ‘sexual assault’

Entertainment

Paula Abdul has sued American Idol executive producer and her former So You Think You Can Dance co-judge Nigel Lythgoe for alleged sexual abuse in a lawsuit filed Friday in Los Angeles.

In documents obtained by The explosionThe Opposites Attract singer, 61, claimed the TV personality, 74, sexually assaulted her on more than one occasion and also ‘verbally isolated and belittled’ her.

The star explained that in 2001 she was approached by FOX to appear as a judge on an American version of the singing competition series Pop Idol – which Lythgoe also helped produce.

Being “intrigued” by the show, she attended a meeting with both executives and producers of the series. She then claimed she was ‘verbally insulted and belittled’ [Nigel] Lythgoe.’

Abdul stated that he told her that “she was a celebrity” and would likely not be known to the show’s contestants – despite others believing that “she was exactly what they were looking for.”

Paula Abdul, 61, has sued American Idol executive producer and her former So You Think You Can Dance co-judge Nigel Lythgoe, 74, for alleged sexual abuse, in a lawsuit filed Friday in Los Angeles; seen in NYC earlier this month

Paula had ‘serious reservations about appearing on the show and informed her representatives of such concerns’, but both she and her team hoped the incident was just a ‘one-off’.

In the documents, the Straight Up singer alleged that the first incident of sexual assault occurred during one of the first seasons of American Idol, while she was on the road for regional auditions.

“One evening, after the day’s auditions, Lythgoe and Abdul entered the elevator of the hotel where they were staying.”

“As they entered the elevator, Lythgoe pushed Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts and began shoving his tongue down her throat.”

The lawsuit alleges that Abdul “tried to push Nigel away” and that she rushed to her room as soon as the elevator doors opened. She immediately contacted her representatives to inform them of the incident.

The second alleged incident occurred during a dinner at Lythgoe’s home after she signed a contract to appear as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance in 2015. TMZ.

Assuming the dinner was on a professional basis, Paula attended the dinner. However, she claimed that at one point, while they were both sitting on a couch, Lythgoe had tried to force himself on top of her.

She also stated in the documents that he also “tried to kiss” her while telling her they would make an “excellent power couple.”

In the documents, the Straight Up singer alleged that the first incident of sexual assault occurred during one of the first seasons of American Idol, while she was on the road for regional auditions; Paula and Nigel seen in 2016 in Beverly Hills

The lawsuit alleges that Abdul “pushed him away, explained that she was not interested in his advances, and immediately left.”

However, fearing ‘possible implications for her career’, the dancer decided to remain quiet about the incident.

In the documents, Paula also claimed that she had witnessed the sexual assault of Nigel, one of her assistants.

According to TMZ, the singer also claimed that Lythgoe called her at one point to say they should celebrate because it had been “7 years and the statute of limitations had passed.”

The star is not only suing Nigel, but also 19 Entertainment and Fremantle Media North America.

According to The Blast, the lawsuit also states, “During her tenure on American Idol, Abdul was not only discriminated against in terms of compensation and benefits compared to one of the show’s male judges and host (who made almost pennies on the dollar of what someone earned). of her male counterparts)…’

“But she was the target of constant taunts, bullying, humiliation and intimidation by Lythgoe and other executives, agents, employees and/or representatives of the show’s producers, 19 Entertainment and Fremantle.”

Paula was most notably one of the original judges on American Idol from 2002 to 2009. Nigel was one of the executive producers of the hit show.

The second alleged incident occurred during a dinner at Lythgoe’s home after she signed a contract to appear as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance in 2015, according to TMZ; seen in 2013 in LA

She later became a judge on the American version of So You Think You Can Dance alongside Lythgoe during the show’s 12th season, but left shortly before season 14 to focus on her tour.

According to TMZ, Paula has made the decision to finally file a lawsuit under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act.

The law, which was officially passed earlier this year, provides survivors of sexual violence a “three-year period to file a claim and seek damages resulting from crimes that occurred on or after January 1, 2009,” according to the law. California Public Employment Agency.

“From January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026, sexual assault and abuse claims that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations will be revived and officially eligible for hearing in civil court….”

She later became a judge on the American version of So You Think You Can Dance alongside Lythgoe during the show’s 12th season, but left shortly before season 14 to focus on her tour; seen in 2015 with judge Jason Derulo and Lythgoe

Paula’s successful career began as a choreographer when she was discovered by The Jacksons.

She later released her debut studio album Forever Your Girl in 1988, launching her success in the music industry.

Abdul was married to Emilio Estevez from 1992 until their divorce in 1994. She later married Brad Beckerman in 1996 until the couple divorced in 1998.

Born in England, Nigel started performing at a young age before finding success in the television industry. He was married to Bonita Shawe from 1974 until their divorce in 2010 and the former couple have two children together.