(LOS ANGELES) – According to a new complaint, Paula Abdul has accused former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexually assaulting her in the early 2000s while she was a judge on the reality competition show.
The claim, which was filed in Los Angeles on Friday, also accuses Lythgoe of sexually abusing Paula after she left “American Idol” to become a judge on Lythgoe’s other competition show, “So You Think You Can Dance.”
The Associated Press does not usually identify alleged sexual assault victims unless they come forward publicly, as Paula has.
Abdul’s lawyer, Douglas Johnson, praised the singer and dancer for speaking out publicly in a statement released on Saturday.
Paula Abdul Accuses ‘American Idol’ Producer Nigel Lythgoe Of Sexual Assault In Lawsuit
“It was clearly a difficult decision to make, but Ms. Abdul knows that she stands both in the shoes and on the shoulders of many other similarly situated survivors, and she is determined to see that justice is done,” Johnson said.
In a statement, Lythgoe said he was “shocked and saddened” to learn of Abdul’s charges, describing him as a “dear” and “entirely platonic” friend.
“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 said in a written statement. “But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have.”
According to the lawsuit, Paula remained silent about the alleged attacks for years due to fear of reprisal from “one of the most well-known producers of television competition shows.”
Paula Abdul Accuses ‘American Idol’ Producer Nigel Lythgoe Of Sexual Assault In Lawsuit
Before “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” on which he served as a judge for 16 seasons, Lythgoe was a producer on the British show “Pop Idol,” which spawned a global franchise that included the American version featuring Paula.
The first sexual assault occurred when Abdul and Lythgoe were on the road filming auditions for an earlier season of “American Idol,” which aired in 2002, according to the lawsuit.
After a day of filming, Abdul claims Lythgoe molested her in the elevator of their hotel and “began shoving his tongue down her throat.” When the elevator doors opened, Abdul shoved him away and dashed to her hotel room.
“In tears, Abdul quickly called one of her representatives to inform them of the assault,” according to the lawsuit, “but ultimately decided not to take action for fear that Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol.”
Abdul, a Grammy and Emmy winner, served as a judge for the first eight seasons before departing in 2009.
In 2015, Abdul joined the panel of judges on “So You Think You Can Dance,” with Lythgoe.
Lythgoe allegedly forced himself on top of Paula during a dinner at his home around that time and attempted to kiss her, according to Abdul’s lawsuit. Paula stated that she pushed Lythgoe away once again and then fled.
After two seasons, Abdul exited the reality show. She has yet to collaborate with Lythgoe since.
According to the lawsuit, Lythgoe also taunted Paula about the alleged assaults, telling her years later that “they should celebrate” because “the statute of limitations had run.”
Paula filed the suit just days before the Dec. 31 deadline set by a California legislation that allows victims to file cases regarding sexual assault accusations after the statute of limitations has expired.
More than 3,700 legal claims were filed in New York under a similar law that expired last month.
SOURCE – (AP)
