Renowned singer and former American Idol judge Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of American Idol and creator of So You Think You Can Dance. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County under a California act that allows plaintiffs to file sexual assault claims even after the statute of limitations has passed, alleges instances of sexual assault, harassment, and gender violence.
Abdul's legal action claims that Lythgoe sexually assaulted her during the regional auditions for one of the "initial seasons" of American Idol, which premiered in 2002. The lawsuit details an incident where Lythgoe allegedly pushed Abdul against the wall in a hotel elevator, forcibly touched her genitals and breasts, and attempted to kiss her. According to court documents obtained by TMZ and Rolling Stone, Abdul reported the incident to a representative immediately but chose to remain silent out of fear of retaliation and losing her position on the show.
The lawsuit further reveals that Abdul faced verbal insults and belittlement from Lythgoe during a meeting with executives before her tenure on American Idol. She also alleges being paid less than her male counterparts and enduring bullying from Lythgoe and the show's production.
In a separate incident detailed in the legal filing, Abdul claims that Lythgoe assaulted her years later, after she had signed a contract to judge So You Think You Can Dance. She states that what was supposed to be a professional discussion turned into a forced advance, with Lythgoe allegedly trying to kiss her and suggesting they would make an "excellent power couple." Abdul asserts that she pushed him away and left the premises immediately but remained silent due to fears of professional repercussions.
Abdul's lawsuit goes beyond her personal experiences, accusing Lythgoe of groping her assistant while she was judging So You Think You Can Dance in 2015. The legal action targets Lythgoe, 19 Entertainment, and FremantleMedia North America, encompassing charges of sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence.
As of now, representatives for Nigel Lythgoe have not responded to requests for comment. The legal proceedings shed light on the pervasive issue of harassment within the entertainment industry, as survivors continue to come forward to seek justice.
