Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe for sexual assault and battery. She alleges that Lythgoe assaulted her during one of Idol’s initial seasons and after signing a new contract in 2015 to be a judge on So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD).
She claims that Lythgoe forced himself on her while she was on a couch and tried to kiss her. She also claims that Lythgoe “taunted” her by calling her to say they should celebrate because it had been “7 years and the statute of limitations had run”, according to TMZ.
Paula is suing Lythgoe, 19 Entertainment, and Fremantle Media North America for sexual assault, battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence, per TMZ. She is coming forward due to California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which allows plaintiffs to file claims that the statute of limitations would otherwise bar.