Paula Abdul Strikes Back: Sues ‘Idol’ Boss Nigel Lythgoe for Sexual Assault
Paula Abdul is not holding back. The famous singer claims that Nigel Lythgoe, one of the executive producers of “American Idol,” sexually assaulted her multiple times while she was judging ‘Idol’ and “So You Think You Can Dance.” In a new lawsuit, Abdul has officially filed charges against Lythgoe.
According to the lawsuit, filed in L.A. County, Paula alleges that the first assault occurred during “one of Idol’s initial seasons” while they were on the road for regional auditions. The singer claims that Lythgoe got into an elevator at their hotel with her and pushed her against the wall, grabbing her genitals and breasts. Paula was shocked when he also tried to tongue-kiss her.
In the lawsuit, Paula says she tried to resist and ran to her room once the elevator doors opened. She immediately called one of her representatives to inform them about the incident but decided to keep quiet in fear of being fired in retaliation.
Abdul also explains a second alleged encounter with Lythgoe, which occurred after she signed a new contract in 2015 to be a judge on ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’ During her two seasons on the show, Paula says she was invited to Lythgoe’s house to discuss work opportunities. However, things took a dark turn, with Paula claiming that Lythgoe forced himself on top of her and tried to kiss her, calling for them to make an “excellent power couple.”
Aside from these disturbing allegations, Abdul adds that Lythgoe also taunted her by saying that it had been seven years and the statute of limitations on their encounters had passed.
For more on this breaking story, read the full article on TMZ.
