In a massive development, singer & former American Idol judge Paula Abdul sued So You Think You Can Dance judge Nigel Lythgoe over sexual assault claims. Nigel Lythgoe who is also the executive producer of American Idol was sued in Los Angeles County, California, on Friday. Paula Abdul in her lawsuit has claimed that Nigel sexually assaulted her multiple times when she was a judge on the American Idol and even on the dance competition, So You Think You Can Dance.
Paul Abdul's sexual assault claims
As per US media reports, Paula in her lawsuit described what happened with Nigel. Paula, 61, stated that Nigel, 74, first time sexually assaulted her in one of American Idol's initial seasons, when they were on the road for regional auditions.
Paula claimed that when she was in an elevator along with Nigel, the American Idol Executive Producer pushed her against the wall, grabbed her genitals and breasts, and tried to kiss her. However, Paula tried to push him away from her, and when the elevator doors opened, she ran straight to her room. In her lawsuit, the singer claimed that she mulled calling her representatives so that they could tell them about the alleged incident but ultimately decided to keep it quiet out of fear that Nigel would fire her.
The second time Paula was allegedly sexually assaulted by Nigel in 2015. The incident occurred when she signed on to be a judge on So You Think You Can Dance which Nigel also executive produced. During the show, Nigel invited Paula to his residence to discuss business opportunities. As a result, Paula accepted Nigel's invitation.
At his house, when Paula was sitting with Nigel at his couch, the SYTCD judge allegedly forced himself on top of her and tried to kiss her. Paula in her lawsuit claimed that Nigel kept telling her they'd make an "excellent power couple." However, Paula pushed Nigel off her and immediately left his house after she told him that she wasn't interested.
In her court docs, Paula has alleged that she is not only a victim of sexual harassment but also suffered discrimination in terms of compensation while she was a judge on Idol. Nigel, 19 Entertainment, and FremantleMedia North America have been sued for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence.
Fans react to Nigel Lythgoe's sexual assault case
Reacting to the controversy, a user wrote, "Why do these suits happen so many years after the incident was said to have happen?"
Another user wrote, "Why didn’t she go to the police rather than sue him? Surely she’d want him prosecuting?"
One more user wrote, "Is it just me or has two thirds of the male population now been sued for either sexual assault or sexual harassment?"