Paula Abdul has sued American Idol government producer and her former So You Suppose You Can Dance co-judge, Nigel Lythgoe, for alleged sexual assault, in a lawsuit that was filed in Los Angeles on Friday.
In paperwork obtained by The Blast, the Opposites Appeal to singer, 61, claimed that the TV character, 74, had sexually assaulted her on a couple of event, and in addition ‘verbally insulated and belittled’ her.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Paula’s representatives for remark.
The star defined that in 2001, she was approached by FOX to seem as a decide in an American model of the singing competitors collection known as Pop Idol – which Lythgoe additionally helped produce.
Resulting from being ‘intrigued’ by the present, she attended a gathering with each executives and producers on the collection. She then alleged that she was ‘verbally insulted and belittled by [Nigel] Lythgoe.’
Abdul said that he had informed her, ‘she was a “has been” celeb and doubtless would not be recognized by the present’s contestants’ – regardless of others believing ‘she was precisely what they have been in search of.’
Paula Abdul, 61, has sued American Idol government producer and her former So You Suppose You Can Dance co-judge, Nigel Lythgoe, 74, for alleged sexual assault, in a lawsuit that was filed in Los Angeles on Friday; seen earlier this month in NYC
Paula had ‘grave reservations about showing on the present and knowledgeable her representatives about such considerations’ however each she and her crew hoped that the incident was solely a ‘one-time’ prevalence.
Within the paperwork, the Straight Up songstress claimed that the primary occasion of sexual assault had occurred throughout one in every of American Idol’s first seasons, whereas on the street for regional auditions.
‘One night, following the day’s auditions, Lythgoe and Abdul entered the elevator of the resort the place they have been staying.’
‘Upon coming into the elevator, Lythgoe shoved Abdul in opposition to the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and commenced shoving his tongue down her throat.’
The lawsuit claims that Abdul ‘tried to push’ Nigel away and that she hurried to her room as soon as the elevator doorways opened. She instantly reached out to her reps to tell them of the incident.
The second alleged prevalence befell throughout a dinner held at Lythgoe’s home, after she had signed a contract to seem as a decide on So You Suppose You Can Dance in 2015, per TMZ.
Assuming the dinner was on knowledgeable foundation, Paula attended the dinner. Nonetheless, she claimed that at one level, whereas they have been each sitting on a sofa, Lythgoe had tried drive himself on high of her.
She additionally said within the paperwork that he had additionally ‘tried to kiss’ her whereas telling her that they’d make an ‘glorious energy couple.’
Within the paperwork, the Straight Up songstress claimed that the primary occasion of sexual assault had occurred throughout one in every of American Idol’s first seasons, whereas on the street for regional auditions; Paula and Nigel seen in 2016 in Beverly Hills
The lawsuit claims that Abdul ‘tried to push’ Nigel away and that she hurried to her room as soon as the elevator doorways opened. She instantly reached out to her reps to tell them of the incident; Paula seen with Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Lythgoe in 2005
The lawsuit claims that Abdul, ‘pushed him off, explaining she was not all for his advances, and instantly left.’
Nonetheless, as a result of worry of ‘attainable implications to her profession,’ the dancer selected to remain quiet on the incident.
Within the paperwork, Paula moreover claimed that she had witnessed Nigel sexual assault one in every of her assistants.
In keeping with TMZ, the singer additionally alleged that Lythgoe had known as her at one level to say they need to have a good time as a result of it had been ‘7 years and the statute of limitations had run.’
The star shouldn’t be solely suing Nigel, but additionally 19 Leisure and Fremantle Media North America.
Per The Blast, the lawsuit additionally states, ‘All through her tenure on American Idol, Abdul not solely was discriminated in opposition to when it comes to compensation and advantages as in comparison with one of many present’s male judges and host (making almost pennies to the greenback of what one in every of her male counterparts have been making)…’
‘However she was the goal of fixed taunts, bullying, humiliation, and harassment from Lythgoe and different executives, brokers, staff, and/or representatives of the present’s producers, 19 Leisure and Fremantle.’
Paula notably appeared as one of many authentic judges on American Idol from 2002 by way of 2009. Nigel had been one of many government producers on the hit present.
The second alleged prevalence befell throughout a dinner held at Lythgoe’s home, after she had signed a contract to seem as a decide on So You Suppose You Can Dance in 2015, per TMZ; seen in 2013 in L.A.
Assuming the dinner was on knowledgeable foundation, Paula attended the dinner. Nonetheless, she claimed that at one level, whereas they have been each sitting on a sofa, Lythgoe had tried drive himself on high of her; seen in 2013 in L.A.
She later grew to become a decide on the American model of So You Suppose You Can Dance alongside Lythgoe throughout the present’s twelfth season, however made her exit shortly earlier than season 14 to give attention to her tour.
In keeping with TMZ, Paula has made the choice to lastly come ahead with the lawsuit as a result of California’s Sexual Abuse and Cowl Up Accountability Act.
The legislation, which was formally handed earlier this yr, presents a ‘three-year window for survivors of sexual assault to file a declare and get well damages because of crimes that occurred on or after January 1, 2009,’ per the California Public Agency of Labor & Employment.
‘From January 1, 2023 by way of December 31, 2026, sexual assault and abuse claims, which might in any other case be barred by the statute of limitations, will probably be revived and formally be eligible to be introduced in civil court docket…’
She later grew to become a decide on the American model of So You Suppose You Can Dance alongside Lythgoe throughout the present’s twelfth season, however made her exit shortly earlier than season 14 to give attention to her tour; seen in 2015 with decide Jason Derulo and Lythgoe
In keeping with TMZ, Paula has made the choice to lastly come ahead with the lawsuit as a result of California’s Sexual Abuse and Cowl Up Accountability Act; seen earlier this month in L.A.
Paula’s profitable profession started as a choreographer when she was found by The Jacksons.
She later launched her debut studio album, Without end Your Woman, in 1988 – which launched her success within the music trade.
Abdul was married to Emilio Estevez from 1992 till their divorce in 1994. She later tied the knot with Brad Beckerman in 1996 till the pair divorced in 1998.
Nigel, who was born in England, started acting at a younger age earlier than discovering success within the tv trade. He was married to Bonita Shawe from 1974 till their divorce in 2010 and the previous couple share two kids collectively.