Nigel Lythgoe is addressing the sexual assault accusations geared toward him by Paula Abdul.
On Friday, the Grammy winner filed a bombshell lawsuit in opposition to the TV producer, alleging that he sexually assaulted her on a number of events. Per courtroom docs obtained by TMZ, she alleged that the primary incident occurred throughout “one of [American] Idol‘s initial seasons” within the early 2000s whereas the workforce was on the street for auditions. She claimed that whereas in an elevator with Nigel, he shoved her in opposition to a wall, tried to kiss her, and groped her genitals and breasts.
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The singer additionally claimed a second assault occurred years later in 2015 after she signed on to be a decide for So You Think You Can Dance. Per the authorized docs, he invited her over to his home to debate work alternatives, which she accepted beneath the belief of professionalism. But as a substitute, Nigel allegedly compelled himself on prime of her whereas she was sitting on a sofa and tried to kiss her. She additionally claimed to have witnessed the 74-year-old groping one in all her assistants on SYTYCD in 2015.
Really, actually tousled stuff. Read all about it and a few of her different claims HERE.
Now, a little bit of time has handed, and Nigel is firing again.
On Saturday, the English producer denied the 61-year-old’s accusations outright, referring to them not solely “false,” however “deeply offensive.” He mentioned in a press release to a number of shops:
“To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement. 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.”
Wow, it seems like he’s not eager to go down with no combat… And a combat is strictly what he introduced, as a result of he took issues a step additional by calling out Paula’s character:
“While Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue. But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have.”
DAMN. That’s tousled… He didn’t go into particular particulars about what sort of “erratic behavior” he’s suggesting, however, wow…
What are your reactions to his denial, Perezcious readers? Let us know within the feedback down beneath.
[Images via Warner Bros. Television/YouTube & FayesVision/WENN]
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