Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit in opposition to former “American Idol” and “So You Suppose You Can Dance” producer Nigel Lythgoe, alleging that he sexually assaulted her.
The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Friday, alleges that Lythgoe sexually assaulted Abdul throughout one of many “preliminary seasons” of “Idol.”
Abdul was a choose for eight seasons beginning in 2002 after which once more in 2014 when she hosted “SYTYCD.”
Based on her swimsuit, Lythgoe allegedly “shoved Abdul in opposition to the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and started shoving his tongue down her throat. Abdul tried to push Lythgoe away from her. When the doorways to the elevator for her door opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her lodge room. Abdul shortly referred to as one in every of her representatives in tears to tell them of the assault.”
Years later, the singer, 61, accepted a dinner invitation from Lythgoe, 74, at his dwelling, underneath the idea that it was a “skilled invitation.”
The swimsuit reads that “towards the top of the night, Lythgoe pressured himself on high of Abdul whereas she was seated on his sofa and tried to kiss her whereas proclaiming that the 2 would make a superb ‘energy couple.’ Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not fascinated by his advances and instantly left.”
A non-disclosure settlement was signed by Abdul as a part of her employment on each reveals, which prevented her from publicly disclosing “delicate info.”
She additionally delayed coming ahead out of concern of retaliation from Lythgoe. She disclosed that at one level, Lythgoe referred to as to taunt her, saying that it had been “seven years and the statute of limitations had run” on her window to file a lawsuit.
Due to California’s Sexual Abuse and Cowl-Up Accountability Act, a one-year opening to file sure sexual abuse lawsuits that may in any other case be exterior the statute of limitations is allowed. The deadline to file is Dec. 31.
Along with Lythgoe, Abdul’s swimsuit additionally names American Idol Productions, Dance Nation Productions, 19 Leisure, and Fremantlemedia North America as defendants, PEOPLE reported.
