Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against the show's executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, accusing him of sexually assaulting her on two occasions.
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According to her filing, obtained by E! News, Abdul, 61, details two incidents of alleged sexual assault by Lythgoe, 74. The first allegedly occurred during one of American Idol's initial seasons, while Abdul and Lythgoe were on the road for the show's regional auditions. It states that while the two were inside a hotel elevator, the producer groped the singer and kissed her without her consent.
Abdul says that she attempted to push him away and tell him his behavior was not acceptable and that she soon ran out and told one of her reps about the incident but "ultimately decided not to take action for fear that Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol."
Abdul also alleges in her lawsuit that the second incident happened in 2019, when Lythgoe invited her to his home to discuss a possible return to the show. She claims that he made unwanted sexual advances towards her and tried to force himself on her, but she managed to escape and leave.
Abdul is seeking unspecified damages for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of earnings. She also wants a jury trial and an injunction to prevent Lythgoe from contacting her or coming near her.
Lythgoe has not yet responded to the allegations or the lawsuit. He left American Idol in 2018, after serving as the show's executive producer since its inception in 2002. He is also known for creating and producing So You Think You Can Dance and Pop Idol.
Abdul was one of the original judges on American Idol, along with Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. She left the show in 2009, after eight seasons. She later joined The X Factor, Live to Dance, and The Masked Singer as a judge or a guest judge. She is also a Grammy-winning singer, dancer, and choreographer, with hits such as "Straight Up", "Opposites Attract", and "Rush Rush".
