*We can only assume that Paula Abdul didn’t want another year to end without exposing Nigel Lythgoe of sexually assaulting her multiple times.
OK, now that we have your attention you’re no doubt asking who is Nigel Lythgoe. He was the producer of “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” TV shows Abdul was famously known to be a judge on.
On Friday (12-29-23) the pop star and dancer/choreographer filed a bombshell lawsuit under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act which gives accusers a one-year window to press claims beyond the statute of limitations. It expires Dec. 31
In the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the “Straight Up” singer alleges that in the early years of “American Idol” Lythgoe once cornered her in an elevator, tried to kiss her, and groped her breasts and genitals.
She also alleged that in 2015, after accepting an invitation to Lythgoe’s home shortly after she signed a contract to judge “SYTYCD” he threw himself on her and tried to kiss her.
Years later – according to the suit – Lythgoe thought he could still play games with Abdul by taunting her, saying that “the statute of limitations had run” and inviting her to celebrate.
“Lythgoe knew and was aware that his treatment of Abdul was inappropriate and even criminal,” the suit alleges.
So far there’s been no response from Lythgoe, 74, to the lawsuit that also accuses several production companies of failing to protect her from Lythgoe.
Abdul, now 61, also notes that she was paid less than the male judges.
Here’s more via The Daily Beast:
In a 2015 interview with The Daily Beast, Lythgoe talked about hiring her for SYTYCD in terms that now seem chilling.
“We’ve known each other for so long now,” the British dancer-turned-judge-turned-producer said of the “Straight Up” singer.
“To be honest, I was an admirer of Paula back in the U.K. before I came here to the States. To be able to work with her on Idol for all those years and see how she was mistreated by Simon…
“So abused and mistreated,” he said as Abdul listened. “I wanted to be the next person to abuse her.”
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB: Arsenio Hall Dated Paula Abdul in the 80’s, Shares Details About Their Sex Life
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