Stephanie G. Mathis Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe. He is a former producer of the reality show “American Idol,” and he accuses her of sexual assault when she was a member of the panel in the early 2000s.
Ms. Abdul claims in her lawsuit that Mr. Lythgoe pushed her against a wall in a hotel elevator and grabbed her breasts and genitals, then “shoved his tongue down her neck.” She also claimed that she had tried to push him away, and when the doors of the elevator opened, she ran into her hotel room to call one of her representatives in tears.
After developing an earlier version of the show in Britain, Mr. Lythgoe was instrumental in making “American Idol,” a worldwide phenomenon in the United States. He also created “So You Think You Can Dance,” where he served as a judge over 16 seasons.
In a Saturday statement, Mr. Lythgoe denied these allegations and said that he “would fight this appalling smear” with all his might.
In a statement, Mr. Lythgoe stated that he was “shocked and saddened” by the accusations made by Paula Abdul against him. Paula and I interacted for more than 20 years as close — and completely platonic — colleagues and friends. Yesterday, however, I was shocked to learn of these allegations in the media. I am clear that they are not only false but also deeply offensive to my values and everything I believe.
He said that he couldn’t “pretend” to understand why she would bring a lawsuit she knew was false.
Mr. Lythgoe, who became a pop star and choreographer in the late 80s, and Ms. Abdul were both fixtures on American reality TV as judges, with the ability to transform promising singers and performers into stars. Ms. Abdul entertained viewers for eight seasons with her gushing comments and the playful rivalry between her and her fellow judge, Simon Cowell.
Ms. Abdul worked with Mr. Lythgoe on “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2015 and 2016 after leaving “American Idol”. In the lawsuit, she claims that Mr. Lythgoe made more advances to her during this period while they were at his house discussing work.
The lawsuit stated that “Lythgoe pushed himself onto Abdul’s couch while she was sitting there and tried to kiss her, while declaring that they would make a great ‘power pair’.” “Abdul pushed Lythgoe away, explaining that she wasn’t interested in his advances and left Lythgoe’s home immediately.”
According to the lawsuit filed at Los Angeles County Superior Court by Ms. Abdul, she did not talk publicly about these encounters for fear of retaliation by Mr. Lythgoe.
Ms. Abdul has filed a lawsuit under a California Law that allows people who make sexual assault allegations to file claims beyond the statute of limitation for a short period.
In her lawsuit, Ms. Abdul also accused Mr. Lythgoe of verbal harassment, claiming that at one point, he had called her and told her to celebrate “because it had been seven years and the statute had run.”
Ms. Abdul has also sued the production companies of “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance” for negligence. The shows’ representatives and production companies didn’t immediately respond to comment requests.
In her lawsuit against the producers of the show and the other judges on the show, she claims that she has been “discriminated” against. She also says that Mr. Lythgoe, as well as others, have taunted her, and selective editing made her look “inept.”
Mr. Lythgoe, who was an executive producer on “American Idol” for about a decade before leaving the show, has taken center stage in “So You Think You Can Dance,” becoming a performer and advocate of dance education. He will return to the show as a judge this spring.
