Nigel Lythgoe Denies Paula Abdul’s Sexual Assault Claims

Nigel Lythgoe denied Paula Abdul‘s allegations that he sexually assaulted her.

“To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement,” the previous American Idol government producer, 74, mentioned in a press release to Us Weekly on Saturday, December 30. “For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear — and entirely platonic — friends and colleagues.”

He continued, “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.”

He concluded, “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.”

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Lythgoe didn’t elaborate on what he meant by “erratic behavior.”

Abdul, 61, submitted a lawsuit on Friday, December 29, towards Lythgoe in addition to 19 Entertainment Inc., American Idol Productions Inc. and Dance Nation Productions Inc. She is searching for a jury trial and damages for sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment and gender violence, in line with courtroom paperwork obtained by Us Weekly.

The submitting particulars a number of alleged incidents, together with one in an elevator throughout an early season of American Idol, the place Abdul served as a decide for eight seasons from 2002 to 2009.

“Upon entering the elevator, Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat,” the courtroom docs declare. “Abdul attempted to push Lythgoe away from her and let him know that his behavior was not acceptable. When the doors to the elevator for her floor opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her hotel room. In tears, Abdul quickly called one of her representatives to inform them of the assault, but ultimately decided not to take action for fear that Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol.”

Her claims cowl incidents that occurred over a number of years, together with one alleged incident round 2015 when Abdul was engaged on So You Think You Can Dance, which Lythgoe government produces.

“Lythgoe invited her to dinner at his home to discuss other opportunities for the two to work together. Believing this to be a professional invitation, Abdul accepted,” the submitting says. “Toward the end of the evening, however, Lythgoe 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.’ Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not interested in his advances, and immediately left Lythgoe’s home. As with the earlier incident, Abdul feared she would be retaliated against or blackballed if she spoke out about the incident.”

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Helping to search out America’s favourite dancer! When So You Think You Can Dance debuted on FOX in 2005, a panel of dance consultants and lovers have been tapped to hunt out the most effective up-and-coming performers. Nigel Lythgoe, who cocreated the dance competitors sequence alongside Simon Fuller, served as one of many longtime judges since the season 1 premiere. However, […]

Abdul filed her lawsuit within the Los Angeles Superior Court below California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which allowed victims a one-year window to file sexual abuse lawsuits that will in any other case be exterior the statute of limitations. The deadline expires on Sunday, December 31.

If you or somebody you realize has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).