Paula Abdul Sues American Idol, SYTYCD EP Nigel Lythgoe for Alleged Sexual Assault

Claire Franken
·3 min read

Paula Abdul is suing American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, along with the series’ production companies, alleging that Lythgoe sexually assaulted her during her tenure judging the shows.

According to the lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles Friday and has been reviewed by our sister site Rolling Stone, Abdul is accusing Lythgoe of sexually assaulting her during an early season of American Idol, and again in 2014 while she was judging So You Think You Can Dance.

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TVLine has reached out to representatives for Lythgoe, who co-created SYTYCD, and Fremantle, Idol’s production company, for comment.

In the suit, Abdul details a pattern of toxic behavior, alleging that Lythgoe “verbally insulted and belittled” her as early as 2001. Upon joining Idol as a judge in 2002, she claims she was bullied by Lythgoe and was paid less than her male counterparts. Then, during one of the show’s “initial seasons,” Lythgoe allegedly sexually assaulted her in a hotel elevator while traveling for contestant auditions.

“Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat,” the suit alleges. “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. Abdul quickly called one of her representatives in tears to inform them of the assault.”

Years later in 2014, Lythgoe allegedly sexually assaulted Abdul again after inviting her to his home for dinner, which Abdul thought to be a “professional invitation,” according to the suit.

“Lythgoe forced himself on top of Abdul while she was seated on his couch and attempted to kiss her while proclaiming that the two would make an excellent ‘power couple,’” the suit claims. “Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not interested in his advances and immediately left.”

The suit cites Abdul’s fear of retaliation and contracts that prohibited her from “publicly disclosing sensitive information” as reasoning for why she didn’t speak out sooner.

In addition to outlining another alleged sexual assault of Abdul’s assistant in 2015, the suit claims that Lythgoe “knew and was aware that his treatment of Abdul was inappropriate and even criminal.”

“Indeed at one point Lythgoe called Abdul and taunted her that they should celebrate because it had been ‘seven years and the statute of limitations had run,’” the suit claims.

Abdul’s accusation is among a wave of allegations that have surfaced since New York and California passed legislation to temporarily waive the statute of limitations for one year for adult survivors of sexual assault seeking civil action. The bills have inspired women to publicly accuse prominent figures in entertainment, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Vin Diesel, Axl Rose, and L.A. Reid.

Lythgoe is set to return to the SYTYCD judging dais for Season 18 in 2024 alongside Dancing With the Stars vet Maksim Chmerkovskiy and SYTYCD alum/Emmy-nominated DWTS choreographer Allison Holker. SYTYCD All-Star Comfort Fedoke will serve as a guest judge during the auditions.

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