FILE PHOTO: 2019 American Music Awards – Arrivals – Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 24, 2019 – Paula Abdul. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok/File Photo
Paula Adbul is accusing American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault.
In court documents, obtained by E! News, Adbul claims the first alleged incident happened during one of American Idol‘s early seasons, where she and Lythgoe were traveling for the show’s regional auditions. The Idol judge states that the two were in a hotel elevator, when Nigel allegedly groped and kissed her without her consent. She says she attempted to push him away and told him that his behavior was inappropriate. Paula, later, told one of her reps but “ultimately decided not to take action for fear that Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol.”
An alleged second incident occured while the singer worked as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance. Abdul states Nigel invited her to his home “to discuss other opportunities for the two to work together.” She says the EP allegedly forced himself on top of her while seated on a couch and “attempted to kiss her while proclaiming that the two would make an excellent ‘power couple.'” Paula says she pushed him off of her and left his home. She adds that she “feared she would be retaliated against or blackballed if she spoke out about the incident.”
Lythgoe issued a statement in regards to the lawsuit. “To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement,” he said. “For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear—and entirely platonic—friends and colleagues. Yesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear: not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for.” Nigel said he does not “understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit” and “will fight this appalling smear with everything I have.”
Abdul is suing Lythgoe for sexual assault, sexual harrassment, gender violence and negligence.
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