Highlights
- Paula Abdul claims she was sexually assaulted and verbally belittled by producer Nigel Lythgoe while working on American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.
- She alleges that Lythgoe assaulted her multiple times, including an incident in an elevator where he pushed her against a wall and touched her inappropriately.
- Abdul decided not to pursue her allegations further out of fear that Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol. She also witnessed him assault another woman who was working as his assistant.
American Idol fans were shocked and disappointed when Paula Abdul exited the show in 2009. Now, the original three judges (which also included Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson) have departed the reality competition, leading to declining ratings.
However, new insight into why Paula left American Idol are coming to light in a lawsuit she recently filed against the show’s producer Nigel Lythgoe in which she claims he sexually assaulted her.
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Paula and Nigel worked together when she was a judge on American Idol from 2002 to 2009. He was also a producer during her judging stint on So You Think You Can Dance, which she quit in 2017.
Nigel Lythgoe Allegedly Assaulted Paula Abdul On Multiple Occasions
Paula’s lawsuit claims Nigel assaulted her on several occasions while serving as a judge on both shows. She also says he “verbally insulted and belittled” throughout their professional relationship.
During one encounter, the singer says that Lythgoe assaulted her in an elevator room while they were traveling to film auditions during an early season of American Idol. Paula says he pushed her against a wall before inappropriately touching her.
“Abdul attempted to push Lythgoe away from her. When the doors to the elevator for her door opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her hotel room,” court documents claim. “Abdul quickly called one of her representatives in tears to inform them of the assault.”
Paula says she decided not to take her allegations further, as she feared Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol.
However, she alleges the producer assaulted her years later after she came to his house for a work-related meeting over dinner in 2014. Paula says Nigel attempted to forcefully kiss her, though she says she was able to push him off and leave.
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Equally disturbing, Abdul says she witness Lythgoe assaulted a different woman, who was working as his assistant at the time.
She says her So You Think You Can Dance contract prevented her from speaking out against Lythgoe, as it included a clause that “prohibited [her] from publicly disclosing sensitive information” about the show or related business affairs.
Paula Says Leaving ‘American Idol’ Wasn’t Just About Money
For years, there’s been speculation about why Paula Abdul left American Idol when the show was in its prime, only to continue judging on other reality competition that didn’t have the same level of success.
Though she hasn’t confirmed if her departure was related to her issues with Lythgoe, Paula previously denied accusations that it was over money. “I had to stand on my principle,” she told TV Guide. “I’m going to miss the experience of watching young talent evolve into a place where they get to take off and soar.”
“I stand on principle where many stand on money,” she added. “I’m a hard-working artist. I’ve lasted in this business for 23 years. And you can’t do that unless you are good at what you do.”
For now, Lythgoe has not directly commented on Abdul’s allegations or formally responded to the lawsuit.
Source: NewsFinale
