Paula Abdul Sues Nigel Lythgoe for Multiple Sexual Assaults; Alleged attacks on “American Idol” and “SYTYCD”

Less than 72 hours before California’s Sexual Abuse Liability and Cover-Up Act expires, Paula Abdul filed a sexual abuse and gender-based violence lawsuit today american idol EP and So you think you can dance Judge Nigel Lythgoe on several alleged assaults.

“Lythgoe knew and was aware that his treatment of Abdul was inappropriate and even criminal,” the Grammy winner says of the British producer’s alleged “indecent behavior” in the lawsuit filed today in LA Superior Court. “In fact, at one point Lythgoe called Abdul and taunted them that they should celebrate because it was seven years and the statute of limitations had expired,” the jury said in the motion for the docket. “Lythgoe clearly knew that his attacks on Abdul were not only wrong, but that he also had the power to silence them.”

“For years, Abdul remained silent about the abuse and harassment she experienced because of Lythgoe, afraid to speak out against one of television’s most famous competition show producers, who could easily end her career as a television personality. “being ostracized and excluded by an industry whose habit has been to protect powerful men and silence survivors of sexual violence and harassment,” the 2002 to 2009 study found idol Judge and 2015 – 2017 SYTYCD Judge explained.

“Also the contracts that Abdul signed to perform american idol And So you think you can danceAbdul prohibited the public discussion of any content that could be considered and/or construed as “confidential commercial information” (including information about the judges, presenters, production units or staff). ‘. derogatory,” the file continues.

Among the allegations of sexual assault, the complaint also includes allegations of compensation discrimination, and original Idol judge Abdul was the target of “constant ridicule, harassment, humiliation and intimidation” on the then-high-rated show. Nevertheless, it is the artist’s lawyers at Johnson & Johnson LLP who describe two specific physical attacks on their client SYTYCD Co-creator Lythgoe, who has made public and now potentially threatening comments in the past about wanting to “abuse” Abdul, is at the heart of the complaint.

The first alleged attack occurred “during one of . . .” american idol “First Seasons” in a hotel elevator while co-judge Simon Cowell was on the move. “Lythgoe pushed Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts and began shoving his tongue down her throat,” the document states. Abdul finally escaped to her room in the early 2000s and contacted her representatives as quickly as possible.

The second attack reportedly took place more than ten years later in 2015, during the series’ twelfth season SYTYCD at Lythgoe’s house in LA. “Toward the end of the evening, Lythgoe forced himself to walk Abdul as she sat on his couch and attempted to kiss her while proclaiming that the two would make an excellent ‘power couple,'” the file states. about Abdul’s suspicion. a “professional invitation” from her on air EP and co-star. “Abdul pushed Lythgoe away, declared that she was not interested in his advances and immediately left.” That same year, Abdul says she saw Lythgoe attack one of his assistants SYTYCD filmed in Las Vegas.

In both cases of attacks on her personally, Abdul said she was well aware that Lythgoe was one of her superiors and “feared that there would be retaliation against her if she spoke out”. Abdul, who has appeared on Idol and various other competition series as a guest judge, performer and otherwise in subsequent years, was able to file a lawsuit today under the Golden State’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Act, which expires on December 31. because the measure allows it. Civil lawsuits arising out of claims that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations.

The broad but unspecified damages suit was filed with LASC on Friday and also names Lythgoe and the producers of American Idol, American Idol Productions, Dance Nation Productions, 19 Entertainment and Fremantlemedia North America as defendants. Neither Abdul nor the defendant’s representatives responded to Deadline’s request for comment on the lawsuit. If so, this post will be updated.

Nor was Lythgoe associated with him american idol or SYTYCD For several years. This year alone, Abdul appeared Hell’s Kitchen, the famous wheel of fortune And Dancing with the stars as contestant, participant and guest judge.