Paula Abdul Sues ‘American Idol’ Exec Nigel Lythgoe for Sexual Assault

Former ‘American Idol’ judge Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe

Former ‘American Idol’ judge Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe, the executive producer of ‘American Idol’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, accusing him of sexually assaulting her during a taping of the popular singing competition show in 2010.

According to the lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, Lythgoe approached Abdul backstage and forcibly groped and kissed her without her consent, causing her to feel “humiliated, violated, and disgusted”.

The lawsuit also claims that Lythgoe created a hostile work environment for Abdul, who served as a judge on ‘American Idol’ from 2002 to 2009, and that he retaliated against her when she complained about his behavior to the show’s producers. Abdul alleges that Lythgoe made derogatory and false statements about her in public and in the media, and that he also tried to sabotage her career by preventing her from getting other opportunities in the entertainment industry.

Abdul is seeking unspecified damages for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of earnings, as well as an injunction to stop Lythgoe from further harassing or harming her.

Lythgoe has not yet responded to the lawsuit, but he has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Abdul. In a 2011 interview with TMZ, Lythgoe said that he had a friendly and professional relationship with Abdul, and that he never touched her inappropriately or made any unwanted advances. He also said that he was supportive of Abdul and that he helped her deal with her personal and health issues, and that he was surprised and hurt by her accusations.

Lythgoe also suggested that Abdul’s allegations were motivated by bitterness and resentment over her departure from ‘American Idol’ and her unsuccessful attempts to launch her own shows, such as ‘Live to Dance’ and ‘The X Factor’.

The lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal battles and controversies involving ‘American Idol’ and its former and current judges, producers, and contestants. The show, which is currently in its 23rd season, has been accused of racism, sexism, ageism, and rigging, among other issues, by various parties over the years.

The lawsuit also raises questions about the prevalence and handling of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement and the recent convictions of Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby. Abdul, who is a survivor of sexual abuse and rape, has been vocal about her support for the movement and her desire to empower other victims to speak out.

The lawsuit could have significant financial and reputational consequences for both Abdul and Lythgoe, as well as for the shows they are associated with. Abdul, who is 61 years old, has been working on a comeback as a singer, dancer, and choreographer, while Lythgoe, who is 74 years old, has been producing and judging various reality shows, such as ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ‘American Idol: The Search for a Superstar’.

The lawsuit could also affect the fans and viewers of ‘American Idol’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, who may have different opinions and reactions to the allegations and the outcome of the case. Some may side with Abdul and sympathize with her ordeal, while others may side with Lythgoe and doubt his guilt. Some may also lose interest or trust in the shows and their credibility.

More details on the allegations and the evidence-American Idol

Abdul says that she was subjected to unwanted sexual advances and harassment by Lythgoe throughout her tenure as a judge on ‘American Idol’ from 2002 to 2009. She says that Lythgoe would often make inappropriate and suggestive remarks about her appearance, her performance, and her personal life, and that he would also touch her in ways that made her uncomfortable, such as hugging, kissing, and rubbing her shoulders.

Abdul says that the incident in 2010 occurred when she returned to the show as a guest judge and Lythgoe approached her backstage and forced himself on her. She says that Lythgoe grabbed her by the waist, pulled her close to him, and kissed her on the lips and the neck, while she tried to push him away and told him to stop. She says that Lythgoe then whispered in her ear, “You know you want this”, and that he tried to move his hand under her skirt, but she managed to break free and run away.

Abdul says that she felt humiliated and violated by Lythgoe’s actions and that she reported the incident to the show’s producers, but they did nothing to protect her or discipline Lythgoe. She says that the producers told her that Lythgoe was just joking and that she should not take it personally, and that they also warned her not to make a fuss or go public with her complaint, as it could damage her reputation and the show’s ratings.

Abdul says that Lythgoe continued to harass her and make derogatory comments about her in public and in the media, and that he also tried to sabotage her career by preventing her from getting other opportunities in the entertainment industry. She says that Lythgoe spread rumors and lies about her, such as that she was a drug addict, a diva, and a has-been, and that he also blocked her from working on other shows that he was involved with, such as ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ‘American Idol: The Search for a Superstar’.

Lythgoe has previously claimed that he had a friendly and professional relationship with Abdul and that he never touched her inappropriately or made any unwanted advances. He has also said that he was supportive of Abdul and that he helped her deal with her personal and health issues, and that he was surprised and hurt by her accusations.

Lythgoe has suggested that Abdul’s allegations are motivated by bitterness and resentment over her departure from ‘American Idol’ and her unsuccessful attempts to launch her own shows. He has said that Abdul left the show on her own accord and that he tried to persuade her to stay, and that he also offered her a chance to join ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ as a judge, but she turned it down.

Lythgoe has also questioned the timing and the credibility of Abdul’s lawsuit, as it comes more than a decade after the alleged incident and after she has failed to make a comeback in the music and television industry. He has said that Abdul is trying to get attention and money by exploiting the #MeToo movement and by suing him and the shows that made her famous.

Implications of the lawsuit-American Idol

The lawsuit filed by Paula Abdul against Nigel Lythgoe is the latest in a series of legal battles and controversies involving ‘American Idol’ and its former and current judges, producers, and contestants. The show, which has been one of the most popular and influential reality shows in the history of television, has been marred by various scandals and disputes over the years, such as allegations of racism, sexism, ageism, and rigging, as well as lawsuits over contracts, royalties, and defamation .

The lawsuit also raises questions about the prevalence and handling of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement and the recent convictions of Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby. The movement, which started in 2017, has exposed and challenged the widespread and systemic abuse of power and sexual misconduct by powerful men in Hollywood and beyond, and has empowered many victims to come forward and seek justice . However, the movement has also faced criticism and backlash from some quarters, who have accused it of being too radical, too biased, or too unfair .

The lawsuit could have significant financial and reputational consequences for both Abdul and Lythgoe, as well as for the shows they are associated with. Abdul, who is 61 years old, has been working on a comeback as a singer, dancer, and choreographer, and has recently released a new single and a documentary about her life and career . Lythgoe, who is 74 years old, has been producing and judging various reality shows, such as ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ‘American Idol: The Search for a Superstar’, and has also been involved in various charitable and philanthropic causes . Both of them have loyal fans and supporters, as well as critics and detractors, who may be affected by the outcome of the case.

The lawsuit could also affect the fans and viewers of ‘American Idol’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, who may have different opinions and reactions to the allegations and the outcome of the case. Some may side with Abdul and sympathize with her ordeal, while others may side with Lythgoe and doubt his guilt. Some may also lose interest or trust in the shows and their credibility, while others may remain loyal or curious. The shows, which have been running for more than two decades, have been known for their entertainment value, as well as for their cultural and social impact, as they have launched the careers of many stars and have inspired many aspiring artists .

The case is expected to go to trial in 2024, unless the parties reach a settlement before then. The case may also attract media attention and public scrutiny, as it involves two prominent figures in the entertainment industry and two popular shows that have millions of fans and viewers around the world. The case may also set a precedent or an example for other similar cases that may arise in the future, as the issue of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry continues to be a relevant and important topic.