‘American Idol’ boss Nigel Lythgoe has broken his silence on the sexual assault allegations made by singer Paula Abdul.
In a lengthy statement, Lythgoe said he is “shocked” and “saddened” by the recent allegations.
“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 began.
Nigel Lythgoe and Paula Abdul worked together on the reality competition show, ‘American Idol,’ where Lythgoe was a producer and Abdul was a judge.
Nigel Lythgoe Points Out Paula Abdul’s ‘Erratic Behavior’ Following Allegations
In his lengthy statement addressing the new lawsuit from Paula Abdul, the ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ boss added, “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.”
He concluded with, “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.”
Paula Abdul Files Lawsuit Against Nigel Lythgoe
As you may know, yesterday, Friday, December 29, Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit, claiming that Nigel Lythgoe verbally and sexually assaulted her.
“During one of ‘American Idol”s initial seasons, while on the road for the show’s regional auditions, Lythgoe sexually assaulted her,” the legal docs stated, per our previous report.
“One evening, following the day’s auditions, Lythgoe and Abdul entered the elevator of the hotel where they were staying,” the docs continued, adding, “Upon entering the elevator, Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat. Abdul attempted to push Lythgoe away from her.”
The legal docs continue, “When the doors to the elevator for her floor opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her hotel room. Abdul quickly called one of her representatives in tears to inform them of the assault.”
Paula Abdul says the ‘American Idol’ boss assaulted her a second time while at a dinner party at Lythgoe’s house, where he “attempted to kiss her” and claimed the two would make a “power couple.” Abdul says she “pushed him off, explaining she was not interested in his advances, and immediately left,” per the legal documents.
Paula Abdul is also accusing Nigel Lythgoe of verbal abuse and discrimination.
In or about early 2001, Paula Abdul says during a meeting with executives and producers for the American version of the British television singing competition show, ‘Pop Icon,’ known as ‘American Idol’ in the U.S., she was “verbally insulted and belittled by [Nigel] Lythgoe,” who was one of the executive producers of the competition show.
After getting the job as a judge on the show, Abdul then claims that, throughout her time on ‘American Idol,’ she “not only was discriminated against in terms of compensation and benefits as compared to one of the show’s male judges and host,” referring to Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, and Ryan Seacrest, but “she was the target of constant taunts, bullying, humiliation, and harassment from Lythgoe and other executives, agents, employees, and/or representatives of the show’s producers, 19 Entertainment and Fremantle.”
For those wondering why it took Paula Abdul so long to file a lawsuit, she cites because of possible implications for her job and career.
