Paula Abdul SuesAmerican Idol,SYTYCDExecutive Producer Nigel Lythgoe for Alleged Sexual Assault

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Steve Granitz/WireImage; Paul Archuleta/Getty

Steve Granitz/WireImage; Paul Archuleta/Getty

Paula Abdulis accusingNigel Lythgoeof multiple counts of sexual assault in a new lawsuit. Lythgoe denies the allegations.

Abdul is suing the defendants in the lawsuit for sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender violence and negligence. The suit was filed under the Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, which allows civil sexual assault suits to be made even if the statute of limitations has expired.

The suit names Lythgoe, 19 Entertainment Inc., FremantleMedia North America Inc., American Idol Productions Inc. and Dance Nation Productions Inc. as defendants.

Representatives for Lythgoe, Abdul, 19 Entertainment Inc. and FremantleMedia North America Inc. did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. American Idol Productions Inc. is detailed in the suit as a subsidiary of Fremantle, while Dance Nation Productions Inc. is detailed in the suit as a subsidiary of 19 Entertainment Inc.

Paula Abdul on the ‘American Ido’l set with fellow judges. Nigel Lythgoe is standing on the left.Ray Mickshaw/WireImage

Ray Mickshaw/WireImage

The suit claims that Lythgoe sexually assaulted Abdul, who was a judge on the series between 2002 and 2009, “while on the road for the regional audition” during one ofIdol’s first seasons.

The suit alleges that upon entering an elevator, “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 and let him know that his behavior was not acceptable,” the document adds.

Abdul also claims she was “discriminated against in terms of compensation and benefits compared to one of the show’s male judges and the host,” and was the victim of “the target of constant taunts, bullying, humiliation and harassment,” during her time on the show.

Nigel Lythgoe and Paula Abdul on the set of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.FOX Image Collection via Getty

FOX Image Collection via Getty

The second assault allegedly occurred, per the suit, in 2015, when Abdul was a judge onSYTYCD.

During a dinner at Lythgoe’s home, which the singer had attended “believing this to be a professional invitation” Lythgoe allegedly “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,’ " per the suit.

Abdul, the document states, “pushed Lythgoe off her, explaining that she was not interested in his advances,” and then left his property.

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“One evening, Lythgoe approached Abdul and April from behind, pressed himself up against April and began to grope her. April did not consent," the suit states.

Paula Abdul, Nigel Lythgoe arrives at the Goldie Hawn Hosts Annual Goldie’s Love In For Kids at Ron Burkle’s Green Acres Estate on May 6, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.Steve Granitz/WireImage

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Earlier this year,Abdul spoke exclusively to PEOPLEabout turning 60 on June 19 and discussed a “trajectory change” in her life and career for her new decade.

“Being 60 this past year was such an incredible trajectory change for me, of really wanting to build and leave a legacy behind,” Abdul said.

“That of kindness and support and helping others who can’t stand up for themselves, to learn to how to combat bullies, to have the self-assuredness that you can do anything that you put your mind to," she added. “Talent is only half of it. It’s the perseverance, the stick-to-itness, and undying belief in yourself.”

source: people.com