Nigel Lythgoe denied Paula Abdul‘s allegations that he sexually assaulted her.
“To say that I’m shocked and saddened by the allegations made in opposition to me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement,” the previous American Idol government producer, 74, stated in a press release to TMZ on Saturday, December 30. “For greater than 20 years, Paula and I’ve interacted as pricey — and completely platonic — mates and colleagues.”
He continued, “Yesterday, nevertheless, out of the blue, I realized of those claims within the press and I wish to be clear: not solely are they false, they’re deeply offensive to me and to every little thing I stand for.”
He concluded, “Whereas Paula’s historical past of erratic habits is well-known, I can’t fake to know precisely why she would file a lawsuit that she should know is unfaithful. However I can promise that I’ll struggle this appalling smear with every little thing I’ve.”
Hollywood’s Sexual Misconduct Scandals
Whereas Hollywood might seem like all glitz and glam on the floor, the business has seen its justifiable share of scandals by the years. The New York Instances and the New Yorker first revealed investigative items in 2017 that accused disgruntled film producer Harvey Weinstein of many years of sexual assault and harassment. Quickly after, Weinstein stood trial and was […]
Lythgoe didn’t elaborate on what he meant by “erratic habits.”
Abdul, 61, submitted a lawsuit on Friday, December 29, in opposition to Lythgoe in addition to 19 Leisure Inc., American Idol Productions Inc. and Dance Nation Productions Inc. She is searching for a jury trial and damages for sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment and gender violence, in accordance with court docket paperwork obtained by Us Weekly.
The submitting particulars a number of alleged incidents, together with one in an elevator throughout an early season of American Idol, the place Abdul served as a choose for eight seasons from 2002 to 2009.
American Idol government producer Nigel Lythgoe poses with the judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul on Could 25, 2005. Kevin Winter/Getty Pictures
“Upon getting 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 court docket docs declare. “Abdul tried to push Lythgoe away from her and let him know that his habits was not acceptable. When the doorways to the elevator for her ground opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her lodge room. In tears, Abdul rapidly known as one among her representatives to tell them of the assault, however in the end determined to not take motion for worry that Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol.”
Her claims cowl incidents that occurred over a number of years, together with one alleged incident round 2015 when Abdul was engaged on So You Suppose You Can Dance, which Lythgoe government produces.
“Lythgoe invited her to dinner at his residence to debate different alternatives for the 2 to work collectively. Believing this to be knowledgeable invitation, Abdul accepted,” the submitting says. “Towards the top of the night, nevertheless, Lythgoe compelled himself on high of Abdul whereas she was seated on his sofa and tried to kiss her whereas proclaiming that the 2 would make a superb ‘energy couple.’ Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not curious about his advances, and instantly left Lythgoe’s residence. As with the sooner incident, Abdul feared she could be retaliated in opposition to or blackballed if she spoke out concerning the incident.”
‘So You Suppose You Can Dance’ Judges By the Years: Who Left and Why
Serving to to search out America’s favourite dancer! When So You Suppose You Can Dance debuted on FOX in 2005, a panel of dance specialists and fans had been tapped to hunt out one of the best up-and-coming performers. Nigel Lythgoe, who cocreated the dance competitors sequence alongside Simon Fuller, served as one of many longtime judges since the season 1 premiere. Nevertheless, […]
Abdul filed her lawsuit within the Los Angeles Superior Courtroom underneath California’s Sexual Abuse and Cowl-Up Accountability Act, which allowed victims a one-year window to file sexual abuse lawsuits that will in any other case be exterior the statute of limitations. The deadline expires on Sunday, December 31.
Should you or somebody you already know has been sexually assaulted, contact the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
