Paula Abdul settles lawsuit accusing American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault

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Paula Abdul has agreed to settle a lawsuit wherein she alleged that former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe sexually assaulted her when she was a choose on the present within the early Noughties.

On Thursday (December 12), Abdul filed a discover of settlement in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom.

The settlement should nonetheless be accredited by a choose.

The lawsuit was initially filed almost a yr in the past, on Friday December 29, 2023. In it, Abdul alleged that Lythgoe sexually assaulted her in an elevator throughout one of many early seasons of American Idol.

She claimed that the British-born TV government shoved her in opposition to a wall and groped her breast and genitals, and shoved his tongue down her throat.

In response to the go well with, Abdul tried to push him away then ran to her room when the elevator door opened.

Paula Abdul and ‘American Idol’ producer Nigel Lythgoe
Paula Abdul and ‘American Idol’ producer Nigel Lythgoe (Getty)

She additionally alleged that, years later, Lythgoe invited her to his dwelling for dinner whereas she was working as a choose on So You Suppose You Can Dance.

Considering it will be knowledgeable encounter, Abdul accepted. Nonetheless, the go well with mentioned that Lythgoe pressured himself on high of her whereas she was sitting on his couch, advised her they might make a “nice energy couple” and tried to kiss her.

The lawsuit said that Abdul as soon as once more pushed him away and fled the property.

It additionally accused Lythgoe of verbal harassment, bullying, and discrimination in opposition to Abdul, who claims she was paid lower than the male judges on American Idol.

Abdul additionally claimed that she noticed Lythgoe sexually assault certainly one of her assistants in April 2015. She alleged that his behaviour was widespread information within the TV business, and that it was even parodied in a 2008 episode of MADtv.

Abdul signed non-disclosure agreements as a part of her employment on each American Idol and So You Suppose You Can Dance, stopping her from disclosing info deemed confidential or derogatory.

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She give up American Idol in 2009 after eight seasons, amid rumours of a pay dispute.

Lythgoe mentioned on the time the go well with was filed that he was “shocked and saddened” by the allegations, which he referred to as “an appalling smear.”

Lythgoe stepped down from his function as a choose on So You Suppose You Can Dance in January, shortly after a second sexual assault lawsuit was introduced in opposition to him by two former contestants of All-American Woman, an all-girl competitors present for which Lythgoe was a producer.

Further reporting by Related Press


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The Unbiased


#Paula #Abdul #settles #lawsuit #accusing #American #Idol #producer #Nigel #Lythgoe #sexual #assault


Kevin E G Perry , 2024-12-13 20:28:00

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