‘American Idol‘ producer Nigel Lythgoe is denying former host Paula Abdul‘s “deeply offensive” sexual assault lawsuit and is instead alleging that she had a “history of erratic behavior.”
As we previously shared, on Friday (December 29), Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County claiming that one of the ‘American Idol‘ executive producers, Nigel Lythgoe, sexually assaulted her multiple times while she was a judge on ‘Idol‘ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’ Abdul’s suit arrives amid California’s Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which allows victims to file claims that would’ve been barred due to the statute of limitations.
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In the documents that were obtained by TMZ, Abdul alleged that the first assault occurred while on the road for regional auditions during “one of Idol’s initial seasons.” Abdul claimed that she and Lythgoe hopped into an elevator together at their hotel, and once the doors closed shut, he allegedly shoved her against the wall, grabbed her genitals and breasts, and tried to tongue her down.
In her suit, Abdul claimed there was a second encounter after she signed a new contract in 2015 to become a judge on ‘SYTYCD,’ another talent show produced by Lythgoe. Per Abdul’s suit, sometime during her two seasons on the second show, Lythgoe allegedly invited her to his house to discuss new work opportunities. Abdul claimed she went with no hesitation because she truly believed it was going to be a professional work meeting.
However, per Abdul’s suit, the evening ended with Lythgoe allegedly forcing himself on top of her and trying to kiss her as she sat on a couch. Abdul claimed Lythgoe told her that they would make an “excellent power couple,” and then pushed him off of her. She said she was not interested and immediately left his home.
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Abdul also claimed there was a third incident during her time on ‘SYTYCD‘ in 2015. She said she witnessed Lythgoe allegedly groping one of her assistants. The former host continued to allege that Lythgoe even “taunted” her and phoned her to celebrate once 7 years had passed, ending the statute of limitations.
In all, Paula Abdul alleges that she was the victim of harassment and discrimination (pertaining to compensation) while judging on ‘Idol.’ Subsequently, she is suing Nigel Lythgoe, 19 Entertainment, and FremantleMedia North America for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence.
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Following the news of Abdul’s lawsuit, Lythgoe has since spoken out and is denying all of her claims. Speaking with TMZ on Saturday (December 30), the producer said, “To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement. For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear — and entirely platonic — friends and colleagues.”
He continued, “Yesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear: not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for. While Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue. But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have.”
Per the news site, Lythgoe didn’t offer further detail on Abdul’s alleged “erratic behavior,” however, they report that it appears to be “a thinly-veiled jab at her alleged affair with ex-‘Idol‘ contestant Corey Clark from way back in the mid-2000s … which she’s always maintained did not happen.”
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