Paula Abdul settles lawsuit that alleged sexual assault by ‘American Idol’ producer Nigel Lythgoe


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Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit through which she alleged he sexually assaulted her within the early 2000s when she was a decide on the present.

Abdul filed a discover of settlement of the case in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom on Thursday. It nonetheless should be accepted by a decide. Emails to attorneys for each side in search of remark weren’t instantly answered.

The lawsuit filed practically a yr in the past had additionally accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and have become a decide on Lythgoe’s different competitors present, “So You Assume You Can Dance.”

Lythgoe mentioned on the time that he was “shocked and saddened” by the allegations, which he known as “an appalling smear.”

After different lawsuits have been filed alleging sexual misconduct, Lythgoe stepped down in January from his function as a decide on “So You Assume You Can Dance.”

The 75-year-old English-born producer has been a distinguished TV producer for many years in each the U.Ok. and the U.S., engaged on actuality competitors reveals together with “American Idol.”

The Related Press usually doesn’t determine alleged victims of sexual assault until they arrive ahead publicly, as Abdul has achieved.

Abdul, a Grammy and Emmy-winning singer and dancer, mentioned within the lawsuit that she remained silent for years concerning the alleged assaults out of worry of retaliation by “one of the vital well-known producers of tv competitors reveals.”

She alleged that the primary sexual assault occurred whereas Abdul and Lythgoe have been on the street filming auditions for an early 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 shortly 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 starred as a decide for the primary eight seasons, leaving in 2009.

In 2015, Abdul turned a decide on “So You Assume You Can Dance,” showing alongside Lythgoe.

Round that point, Abdul alleged within the lawsuit, Lythgoe pressured himself on high of her throughout a dinner at his dwelling and tried to kiss her. Abdul mentioned she once more pushed Lythgoe away and instantly left.

Abdul left that actuality present after two seasons. She has not labored with Lythgoe since.

In a press release on the time of the swimsuit, Lythgoe mentioned “Whereas Paula’s historical past of erratic habits is well-known, I can’t faux to grasp precisely why she would file a lawsuit that she should know is unfaithful.”


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The Impartial


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


Andrew Dalton , 2024-12-13 19:57:00

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


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


The Unbiased


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


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