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Paula Adbul filed a lawsuit Friday alleging she was sexually assaulted by Nigel Lythgoe while she was working on “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Lythgoe is best known as the executive producer of the hit reality competition shows — he produced “American Idol” from 2002 to 2014 and “So You Think You Can Dance” from 2005 to 2014.
According to Variety, Adbul claimed in the early years of working on “American Idol,” Lythgoe had sexually assaulted her and again in 2014 when she was working on “So You Think You Can Dance.”
During the first alleged assault, Abdul claims Lythgoe shoved her against the wall of an elevator before grabbing her genitals and breasts, and shoving his tongue down her throat. She pushed him away and when the elevator doors opened, she ran out and called her representatives for help.
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Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell during “American Idol” Season 4 – Finale – Press Room at The Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, United States. (Photo by Chris Polk/FilmMagic) -
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 11: (L-R) Nigel Lythgoe, Paula Abdul and Cat Deeley attend the 2015 FOX Programming Presentation at Wollman Rink, Central Park on May 11, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic) -
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Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell of American Idol (Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic) -
Paula Adbul filed a lawsuit on Dec. 29, 2023 alleging she was sexually assaulted by Nigel Lythgoe while she was working on “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” (Getty Images) -
Paula Abdul during American Idol Celebrates the Top 12 Contestants at Astra West – Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by M. Tran/FilmMagic) -
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 3: Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe arrives at the American Idol Season 10 Top 13 Finalists Party at The Grove, March 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic) -
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO — Episode 3077– Pictured: (l-r) American Idol judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul during an interview on January 16, 2006 — (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) -
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2019 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS.® – Hosted by Ciara and broadcasting live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 8:00 p.m. EST, on ABC. (Image Group LA via Getty Images) PAULA ABDUL -
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – OCTOBER 14: Nigel Lythgoe attends the 30th annual American Cinematheque Awards gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 14, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) -
AMERICAN IDOL – “413 (Top 12 Live Reveal)” “American Idol” gets closer to crowning a winner as it continues on MONDAY, APRIL 12 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. Following Americas overnight vote, 10 contestants will be revealed from the Top 16, leaving six contestants to perform for a chance at one of two spots picked by the judges, rounding out the Top 12. (Eric McCandless via Getty Images)LIONEL RICHIE, PAULA ABDUL, KATY PERRY -
HOLLYWOOD, CA – JULY 17: Director / Producer Nigel Lythgoe attends the “Step Up Revolution” Los Angeles premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on July 17, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic) -
Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer, “American Idol”; co-creator, executive producer and judge, “So You Think You Can Dance,” and CEO of Big Red 2 Entertainment attends HRTS presents the “Unscripted Hitmakers” newsmaker luncheon at The Beverly Hilton hotel on April 12, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Brian To/FilmMagic)
The incident reportedly happened when Abdul and Lythgoe were staying at a hotel while traveling for an Idol show audition, Roling Stone reports.
Abdul refrained from speaking out about the allegations due to fear of retaliation from Lythgoe and potential career backlash, according to the lawsuit. She had also signed non-disclosure agreements as part of her employment on the shows, which she said prevented her from revealing derogatory or confidential information.
Years later in 2014, Adbul claims she was sexually assaulted again during a dinner at Lythgoe’s home.
She initially believed the invite was professional but when she arrived, Lythgoe allegedly “forced himself on top of Abdul while she was seated on his couch and attempted to kiss her while proclaiming that the two would make an excellent ‘power couple,” the suit claimed. “Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not interested in his advances and immediately left.”
In 2015, Abdul also claimed she witnessed Lythgoe sexually assault one of her assistants by pressing up against her and groping her while on the set of “So You Think You Can Dance.”
According to Variety, the suit claims Lythgoe’s behavior was well-known, citing a MADtv skit in which Lythgoe’s character is seen harassing contestants.
The suit also alleges that Lythgoe was aware of his behavior and had teased Abdul on the phone saying it had been “seven years and the statute of limitations had run,” Variety reports.
Abdul alleges she was paid less than her male judging colleagues at the time and that Lythgoe and the show’s production had bullied her.
The suit was filed under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which would allow the filing of lawsuits that would otherwise be outside the statute of limitations.
Abdul is also suing 19 Entertainment, FremantleMedia North America, American Idol Productions, and Dance Nation Productions for sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence.
She claims the companies had failed to discipline Lythgoe or hold him accountable for his actions.
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