Paula Abdul files lawsuit against ‘American Idol’ producer Nigel Lythgoe over sexual assault claims

nme.com:

Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance producer Nigel Lythgoe alleging that he sexually assaulted her.Abdul has made a series of claims during her time hosting both shows in the suit, which was filed in Los Angeles yesterday (December 29), including sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender violence and negligence.Lythgoe is yet to comment on the claims and NME has contacted American Idol for comment.Abdul alleged that before taking on the role of one of the judges on American Idol, she met with several of the show’s executives in 2001.During that meeting, Abdul claims that Lythgoe “verbally insulted and belittled” her, calling her a “has been” who “probably wouldn’t be known by the show’s contestants”, reports Rolling Stone.Despite her claims, she went on to join the show in April 2002.

But Abdul alleged that she was discriminated against and paid less than her fellow male judges and that Lythgoe and the show’s production bullied her.According to the lawsuit, during one of the show’s “initial seasons” Lythgoe allegedly sexually assaulted her in the elevator of a hotel room they were staying at while traveling for one of the show’s auditions.It went on: “Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat.

Abdul attempted to push Lythgoe away from her. When the doors to the elevator for her door opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her hotel room.