Pop icon Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit accusing American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Friday, claims that Lythgoe sexually assaulted her within the early 2000s each whereas she was on American Idol and after she left that present and have become a decide on Lythgoe’s different competitors collection, So You Suppose You Can Dance.
Abdul’s lawyer Douglas Johnson issued a press release on Saturday that stated, “It was clearly a tough resolution to make, however Ms. Abdul is aware of that she stands each within the sneakers and on the shoulders of many different equally located survivors, and she or he is decided to see that justice is completed.”
ABC Information reports, “Lythgoe stated in a press release that he was ‘shocked and saddened’ to listen to of the allegations made by Abdul, who he stated he thought of a ‘expensive’ and ‘fully platonic’ pal.”
Lythgoe additionally introduced up Abdul’s historical past of “erratic habits.”
“Whereas Paula’s historical past of erratic habits is well-known, I can’t fake to know precisely why she would file a lawsuit that she should know is unfaithful,” Lythgoe stated within the assertion. “However I can promise that I’ll battle this appalling smear with all the pieces I’ve.”
Abdul’s lawsuit claims that she stored quiet concerning the assault for therefore a few years as a consequence of worry of retaliation by “probably the most well-known producers of tv competitors reveals.”
ABC Information stories:
In line with the lawsuit, the primary sexual assault occurred whereas Abdul and Lythgoe have been on the street filming auditions for an earlier season of “American Idol,” which premiered in 2002.
Abdul says Lythgoe groped her within the elevator of their lodge after a day of filming and “started shoving his tongue down her throat.” Abdul pushed him away and ran to her lodge room when the elevator doorways opened.
“In tears, Abdul rapidly known as one in all her representatives to tell them of the assault,” the lawsuit says, “however finally determined to not take motion for worry that Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol.”
Abdul left American Idol in 2009 after being a decide for the primary eight seasons.
She grew to become a decide on Lythgoe’s So You Suppose You Can Dance in 2015.
“Round that point, Abdul alleged within the lawsuit, Lythgoe compelled himself on prime of her throughout a dinner at his dwelling and tried to kiss her. Abdul stated she once more pushed Lythgoe away and instantly left,” ABC stories.
The report provides, “The lawsuit additionally accuses Lythgoe of taunting Abdul concerning the alleged assaults, saying to her years later that ‘they need to have fun’ as a result of ‘the statute of limitations had run.’”
Abdul has not labored with Lythgoe since leaving the dancing competitors present.
The lawsuit was filed simply earlier than the December 31 deadline for the California one-year window for victims of sexual assault to file complaints if the statute of limitations had handed.
