Pop star and dancer Paula Abdul has taken a brave step forward, filing a bombshell lawsuit against American Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance producer Nigel Lythgoe. The lawsuit, which alleges repeated sexual assault, reveals disturbing incidents that took place during Abdul’s time as a judge on these shows.
According to the lawsuit obtained by TMZ, Abdul accuses Lythgoe of cornering her in an elevator during the early years of Idol. She claims he attempted to kiss her and, in an alarming act, groped her breasts and genitals. But it doesn’t stop there. Abdul also alleges that in 2015, after accepting an invitation to Lythgoe’s home, he threw himself on her and tried to kiss her.
To add insult to injury, Abdul claims that Lythgoe taunted her years later, gleefully noting that “the statute of limitations had run” as if celebrating his reprehensible actions.
The lawsuit, filed under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, sheds light on the alleged crimes committed against Abdul. It’s a stark reminder that no one should endure such mistreatment, regardless of fame or status. Abdul asserts that Lythgoe knew his behavior was inappropriate and even criminal.
While Lythgoe has yet to comment on the lawsuit, the implications are deeply troubling. The lawsuit also implicates several production companies for failing to protect Abdul from Lythgoe’s harmful actions. Furthermore, Abdul claims she was underpaid compared to her male counterparts, highlighting a systemic bias that must be addressed.
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