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Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit towards producer Nigel Lythgoe for sexually assaulting her a number of occasions after becoming a member of “American Idol” within the early 2000s.
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Paula Abdul accused former “American Idol” and “So You Assume You Can Dance” producer Nigel Lythgoe of allegedly sexually assaulting her a number of occasions, in keeping with a lawsuit filed Friday in Los Angeles.
Abdul, 61, claims Lythgoe, 74, had sexually assaulted her throughout one of many “preliminary seasons” of “American Idol” after which once more in 2014 whereas they served as judges on “So You Assume You Can Dance,” in keeping with the lawsuit obtained by The Put up.
Lythgoe produced “American Idol” through the peak of the present’s reputation within the 2000s and was final listed as a producer for the talent-based singing present in 2014.
From 2005 to 2014, Lythgoe was listed because the producer and co-creator of “So You Assume You Can Dance.”
Abdul alleges Lythgoe dedicated the primary sexual assault in a resort elevator through the audition stage of American Idol’s earlier seasons.
“Lythgoe shoved Abdul towards the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and started shoving his tongue down her throat,” the go well with claims.
“Abdul tried to push Lythgoe away from her. When the doorways to the elevator for her door opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her resort room. Abdul shortly referred to as certainly one of her representatives in tears to tell them of the assault.”
Abdul claimed she remained silent concerning the allegations fearing retaliation from Lythgoe, who she stated had the ability to fireside her from her function as a choose on the present.
In the course of the second alleged assault, Abdul claims Lythgoe sexually assaulted her at his dwelling after inviting her for dinner in 2014.
“Believing this to be knowledgeable invitation, Abdul accepted,” the lawsuit stated.
“Towards the tip of the night, Lythgoe pressured himself on high of Abdul whereas she was seated on his sofa and tried to kiss her whereas proclaiming that the 2 would make a wonderful ‘energy couple,’” the go well with alleges.
“Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not excited by his advances, and instantly left.”
Nonetheless frightened of Lythgoe’s energy as an government, the “Chilly Hearted” singer once more claimed she remained silent concerning the alleged assault, fearing she’d be “blackballed” if she spoke out.
Abdul claims she witnessed Lythgoe sexually assault certainly one of her assistants, recognized within the go well with as “April,” whereas they filmed for “So You Assume You Can Dance” in 2015.
Lythgoe “approached Abdul and April from behind, pressed himself up towards April, and started to grope her. April didn’t consent,” the go well with alleged.
The go well with additionally alleges that the Hollywood government allegedly teased Abdul about his inappropriate conduct over the cellphone.
“Lythgoe knew and was conscious that his therapy of Abdul was inappropriate and even prison,” the go well with states.
“Certainly at one level Lythgoe referred to as Abdul and taunted her that they need to have a good time as a result of it had been ‘seven years and the statute of limitations had run.’ Lythgoe clearly knew that his assaults of Abdul weren’t simply mistaken however that he held the ability to maintain her silent.”
The go well with additionally alleges Lythgoe “verbally insulted and belittled” Abdul when she met with executives about launching “American Idol” in 2001, allegedly telling the music icon she was a “has been” who “in all probability wouldn’t be recognized by the present’s contestants.”
The “Knocked Out” singer is suing Lythgoe for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence.
The Put up has reached out to Lythgoe’s representatives for remark.
Manufacturing corporations American Idol Productions, Dance Nation Productions, 19 Leisure, and FremantleMedia North America had been additionally listed as defendants within the go well with.
The lawsuit comes as a plethora of highest-profile figures file sexual abuse fits after New York and California handed laws to waive the statute of limitations on these claims quickly.
Sean “Diddy” Combs, Axl Rose, and Jermaine Jackson have additionally had fits filed towards them prior to now months over alleged sexual assaults.
