Paula Abdul, a renowned singer and television personality, filed a lawsuit on Friday, December 29, 2023, against Nigel Lythgoe, a notable figure in television production.
In a legal filing at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Paula Abdul, 61, has brought forth allegations of sexual assault and gender-based violence against the 74-year-old producer.
Abdul, recognized for her hit songs and roles as a judge on popular television shows such as “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” alleges that she was subjected to repeated sexual assaults by Lythgoe.
The complaint details two specific instances of alleged assault. The first incident is said to have occurred during the early seasons of “American Idol” in the 2000s, involving an unwanted physical encounter in a hotel elevator.
According to the lawsuit filed, the second accusation of assault against Nigel Lythgoe is said to have occurred in 2015, after Paula Abdul had consented to be a judge on the television show “So You Think You Can Dance.” The lawsuit describes an incident at Lythgoe’s home, where Abdul claims she was forced into an unwanted physical encounter.
The complaint further alleges that Abdul refrained from reporting these incidents earlier due to fears of retaliation and professional repercussions, a concern that is echoed in many such cases in the entertainment industry.
Additionally, Abdul claims to have been discriminated against in terms of compensation and benefits compared to her male counterparts on “American Idol.”
Responding to these allegations, Lythgoe categorically denied the accusations. He expressed shock and sadness in a statement, emphasizing that his relationship with Abdul has been purely platonic and professional for over two decades. Lythgoe’s defense characterizes Abdul’s actions as unfounded and promises a vigorous response to what he deems an “appalling smear.”
In her complaint, Paula Abdul names several production firms linked to “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” including FremantleMedia North America, 19 Entertainment, Dance Nation Productions, and American Idol Productions. The complaint suggests these entities were, or should have been, aware of Lythgoe’s alleged misconduct yet failed to take appropriate action.
This legal action by Abdul falls under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act (AB 2777), a law aimed at providing a platform for survivors of sexual abuse to seek justice, even beyond the traditional statute of limitations constraints.
Douglas L. Johnson, Abdul’s attorney and managing partner at Johnson & Johnson LLP, emphasized the importance of this legislation in enabling survivors to hold their abusers accountable, particularly in cases where fear of reprisal has silenced victims.