Grammy award-winning artist and American television star Paula Abdul has accused a producer of the television singing competition American Idol of sexual assault, according to a lawsuit filed in California.
Paula Abdul, whose 1988 album “Forever Your Girl” was hailed as the most successful debut album in history, accused Nigel Lythgoe, an American Idol producer, of sexually assaulting her twice, the lawsuit filed Friday says.
According to media reports, the English producer, who also served as a judge on the television dance competition “So You Think You Can Dance,” denied the allegations.
In her complaint, the 61-year-old singer said she was harassed by Mr. Lythgoe and other executives at American Idol, where she was a judge from 2002 to 2009.
According to the complaint, the star was discriminated against in terms of salary, adding that she was the target of constant taunts, intimidation, humiliation and harassment from several managers, agents and employees of the issue.
The Nigel Lythgoe case
However, the most serious charges are against 74-year-old Nigel Lythgoe.
According to the complaint, Paula Abdul and the producer were traveling together to audition for the competition early in the release of “American Idol” when he allegedly attacked her in a hotel elevator, groped her and forced his hand into her. Tongue down throat.
The second attack occurred in 2015 when Paula Abdul had just agreed to be a judge on So You Think You Can Dance. She went to dinner at Nigel Lythgoe's house, where he allegedly tried to kiss her while claiming they would make a great “power couple”.
Abdul remained silent about Lythgoe's sexual assault and harassment for years, fearful of speaking out against one of television's best-known competition producers, who could easily ruin her career as a television personality, who banned and banished her from an industry with history. The lawsuit argues, that it's about protecting powerful men and silencing survivors of sexual assault and harassment.
Mr. Lythgoe expressed shock and sadness as he denied these allegations, speaking to NPR Radio.
Paula Abdul's complaint is the latest in a series of high-profile lawsuits filed ahead of the expiration of part of California's sexual assault and concealment of guilt law on Sunday.