LOS ANGELES — Paula Abdul has accused former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexually assaulting her within the early 2000s when she was a choose on the truth competitors present, in keeping with a brand new lawsuit.
The lawsuit filed Friday in Los Angeles additionally accuses Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and have become a choose on Lythgoe‘s different competitors present “So You Assume You Can Dance.”
The Related Press usually doesn’t establish alleged victims of sexual assault until they arrive ahead publicly, as Abdul has achieved.
In a press release Saturday, Abdul‘s lawyer Douglas Johnson applauded the singer and dancer for talking out publicly.
“It was clearly a troublesome determination to make, however Ms. Abdul is aware of that she stands each within the footwear and on the shoulders of many different equally located survivors, and he or she is set to see that justice is completed,” Johnson stated.
Lythgoe stated in a press release that he was “shocked and saddened” to listen to of the allegations made by Abdul, who he stated he thought-about a “expensive” and “completely platonic” pal.
“Whereas Paula’s historical past of erratic habits is well-known, I can’t fake to grasp precisely why she would file a lawsuit that she should know is unfaithful,” Lythgoe stated within the assertion. “However I can promise that I’ll combat this appalling smear with every little thing I’ve.”
The lawsuit states Abdul remained silent for years in regards to the alleged assaults out of concern of retaliation by “one of the vital well-known producers of tv competitors exhibits.”
Earlier than “American Idol” and “So You Assume You Can Dance,” on which Lythgoe served as a choose for 16 seasons, he was a producer on the British present “Pop Idol,” which grew to become a world franchise that features the U.S. iteration starring Abdul.
In response to the lawsuit, the primary sexual assault occurred whereas Abdul and Lythgoe had been on the street filming auditions for an earlier season of “American Idol,” which premiered in 2002.
Abdul says Lythgoe groped her within the elevator of their lodge after a day of filming and “started shoving his tongue down her throat.” Abdul pushed him away and ran to her lodge room when the elevator doorways opened.
“In tears, Abdul rapidly known as one among her representatives to tell them of the assault,” the lawsuit says, “however finally determined to not take motion for concern that Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol.”
Abdul, a Grammy- and Emmy-winning artist, starred as a choose for the primary eight seasons, leaving in 2009.
In 2015, Abdul grew to become a choose on “So You Assume You Can Dance,” showing alongside Lythgoe.
Round that point, Abdul alleged within the lawsuit, Lythgoe compelled himself on high of her throughout a dinner at his house and tried to kiss her. Abdul stated she once more pushed Lythgoe away and instantly left.
Abdul left the truth present after two seasons. She has not labored with Lythgoe since.
The lawsuit additionally accuses Lythgoe of taunting Abdul in regards to the alleged assaults, saying to her years later that “they need to have fun” as a result of “the statute of limitations had run.”
Abdul filed the go well with days earlier than the Dec. 31 deadline of a California legislation that opened a one-year window for victims to file lawsuits involving sexual abuse claims after the statute of limitations has run out.
Greater than 3,700 authorized claims had been filed underneath an identical legislation in New York that expired final month.
