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‘All American Girl’ have filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe
A group of former contestants from the reality show ‘All American Girl’ have filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe, the producer and judge of the show, for sexual assault and battery. The plaintiffs allege that Lythgoe coerced, harassed, and assaulted them during the filming of the show in 2003, and threatened to ruin their careers if they spoke out. The lawsuit also accuses Lythgoe of gender violence and negligence, and seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief.
The lawsuit, filed on December 29, 2023, in Los Angeles Superior Court, names Lythgoe and the show’s production companies, 19 Entertainment Inc., FremantleMedia North America Inc., American Idol Productions Inc. and Dance Nation Productions Inc., as defendants. The plaintiffs are 12 women who participated in the show, which was a spin-off of ‘American Idol’ and featured young female singers competing for a recording contract and a role in a Broadway musical. The show aired for one season on ABC in 2003.
According to the lawsuit, Lythgoe used his position of power and influence to sexually exploit the plaintiffs, who were between 16 and 22 years old at the time. The lawsuit claims that Lythgoe subjected the plaintiffs to unwanted sexual advances, touching, groping, kissing, and oral sex, both on and off the set of the show. The lawsuit also alleges that Lythgoe made derogatory and sexist comments about the plaintiffs’ appearance, talent, and sexuality, and pressured them to perform sexual acts in exchange for favorable treatment on the show.
The lawsuit further alleges that Lythgoe created a hostile and abusive work environment for the plaintiffs, and that the production companies failed to prevent, stop, or report his misconduct. The lawsuit states that the plaintiffs suffered physical, emotional, and psychological harm as a result of Lythgoe’s actions, and that some of them developed post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse issues. The lawsuit also claims that Lythgoe’s behavior damaged the plaintiffs’ careers and reputations, and that some of them were blacklisted from the entertainment industry.
The lawsuit is the latest in a series of sexual misconduct allegations against Lythgoe, who is best known for producing and judging ‘American Idol’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. In 2014, former ‘American Idol’ judge Paula Abdul sued Lythgoe for sexual assault, alleging that he assaulted her in a hotel elevator and at his home. Abdul also claimed that she witnessed Lythgoe assault one of his assistants on the set of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ in 2015. Lythgoe denied the allegations and called Abdul’s lawsuit “untrue” and “a smear” on his character.
The lawsuit comes as the state of California is set to expire its Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, which extended the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving sexual assault and harassment from two to 10 years. The law, which was enacted in 2019 in response to the #MeToo movement, will end on December 31, 2023. The plaintiffs’ attorney, Gloria Allred, said that the lawsuit was filed before the deadline to ensure that the plaintiffs’ rights are protected and that Lythgoe is held accountable for his actions.
‘All American Girl’ and Nigel Lythgoe’s career
‘All American Girl’ was a reality show that aired on ABC in 2003, featuring young female singers competing for a recording contract and a role in a Broadway musical. The show was a spin-off of ‘American Idol’, the popular singing competition that launched the careers of stars like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson. ‘All American Girl’ was created by Simon Fuller, the same producer behind ‘American Idol’, and featured Nigel Lythgoe as the executive producer and one of the judges.
Nigel Lythgoe is a British television producer, director, and former dancer, who is best known for his involvement in various reality shows, especially those related to music and dance. He started his career as a choreographer and dancer for the BBC, and later became the head of entertainment and comedy at London Weekend Television. He also co-created and produced the UK version of ‘Pop Idol’, which inspired the American adaptation ‘American Idol’ .
Lythgoe joined ‘American Idol’ as an executive producer in 2002, and was responsible for overseeing the show’s format, content, and talent selection. He also served as a judge on the show’s spin-off ‘American Juniors’ in 2003, and on ‘All American Girl’ later that year. Lythgoe was known for his blunt and often harsh criticism of the contestants, earning him the nickname “Nasty Nigel” by the media and the public .
In 2005, Lythgoe left ‘American Idol’ to focus on another project, ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, a dance competition that he co-created and produced for Fox. He also served as a judge on the show, alongside other dance experts and celebrities. The show became a hit, and spawned several international versions and spin-offs. Lythgoe returned to ‘American Idol’ as an executive producer in 2010, and remained until the show’s finale in 2016 .
Lythgoe’s career, however, has been marred by several allegations of sexual misconduct over the years. In 2014, former ‘American Idol’ judge Paula Abdul sued Lythgoe for sexual assault, alleging that he assaulted her in a hotel elevator and at his home. Abdul also claimed that she witnessed Lythgoe assault one of his assistants on the set of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ in 2015. Lythgoe denied the allegations and called Abdul’s lawsuit “untrue” and “a smear” on his character.
Abdul was not the only one who accused Lythgoe of inappropriate behavior. In 2017, former ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ contestant Alex Da Silva filed a lawsuit against Lythgoe and Fox, claiming that Lythgoe sexually harassed and assaulted him during the show’s auditions and rehearsals. Da Silva also alleged that Lythgoe offered him money and career opportunities in exchange for sexual favors, and threatened to blacklist him if he refused or reported him. Lythgoe and Fox did not comment on the lawsuit .
The lawsuit filed by the ‘All American Girl’ contestants is the latest and most serious accusation against Lythgoe, who has not publicly responded to the allegations yet. The lawsuit could have significant implications for Lythgoe’s reputation, career, and finances, as well as for the entertainment industry as a whole, which has been rocked by the #MeToo movement and the exposure of sexual abuse and harassment by powerful figures.
A landmark case for the #MeToo movement
The lawsuit filed by the ‘All American Girl’ contestants against Nigel Lythgoe is one of the most high-profile and serious cases of sexual assault and harassment in the entertainment industry, which has been shaken by the #MeToo movement since 2017. The movement, which was sparked by the revelations of sexual abuse by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, has exposed the widespread and systemic nature of sexual misconduct by powerful figures in the industry, and has empowered many survivors to come forward and seek justice.
The lawsuit could have significant implications for Lythgoe, who faces the possibility of losing his reputation, career, and finances, as well as facing criminal charges. Lythgoe, who has not publicly responded to the allegations yet, could also face further lawsuits from other victims who may be inspired by the plaintiffs’ courage. The lawsuit could also affect the fate of the shows that Lythgoe produced or judged, such as ‘American Idol’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, which could face boycotts, cancellations, or lawsuits from other participants or viewers.
The lawsuit could also have a broader impact on the entertainment industry, which has been under pressure to reform its culture and practices to prevent and address sexual abuse and harassment. The lawsuit could set a precedent for other similar cases, and could inspire more survivors to speak out and seek legal action. The lawsuit could also prompt the industry to adopt more stringent policies and measures to protect the rights and safety of its workers, especially women and young people, who are often the most vulnerable and exploited.
The lawsuit, however, also faces many challenges and obstacles, such as the difficulty of proving the allegations, the possible retaliation from Lythgoe and his allies, and the potential backlash from the public and the media. The lawsuit also comes at a time when the state of California is set to expire its Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, which extended the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving sexual assault and harassment from two to 10 years. The law, which was enacted in 2019 in response to the #MeToo movement, will end on December 31, 2023. The plaintiffs’ attorney, Gloria Allred, said that the lawsuit was filed before the deadline to ensure that the plaintiffs’ rights are protected and that Lythgoe is held accountable for his actions .
The lawsuit is expected to be a long and complex legal battle, which could take years to resolve. The plaintiffs, who have shown remarkable courage and resilience, said that they hope that their lawsuit will not only bring them justice, but also help other survivors and prevent future abuse. The plaintiffs also said that they hope that their lawsuit will send a message to the entertainment industry and the society that sexual assault and harassment are unacceptable and intolerable, and that no one is above the law.
