Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit against her “American Idol” co-star in Los Angeles County Superior Court
Nigel Lythgoe breaks silence on Paula Abdul's SA allegations
Nigel Lythgoe has denied sexual assault allegations made by Paula Abdul.
Earlier this week, the American Idol judge accused the 71-year-old producer in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
In her filing, Paula claimed Nigel sexually abused her twice while they were both working on the singing competition show and So You Think You Can Dance.
Additionally, the TV host is suing him for “sexual assault/abuse, sexual harassment, gender-based violence and negligence.”
Now Nigel responded to Paula's allegations in a statement to TMZ, saying: “To say I am shocked and saddened by the allegations Paula Abdul has made against me is a wild understatement.”
He added: “For more than two decades, Paula and I have treated each other as dear and entirely platonic friends and colleagues.”
Nigel admitted he found out about her claims “out of the blue” and explained that the allegations were not only false but also “deeply offensive.”
“I can't pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue. But I can promise that I will fight this horrific slander with everything I have,” he concluded.