Paula Abdul settles sexual assault lawsuit against ex-‘American Idol’ producer

Paula Abdul and former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe have reached a private settlement a year after she first sued him.

Last year, Abdul made a series of claims in a suit relative to her time hosting both American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, including sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender violence and negligence.

It was filed under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which allows accusers to file certain abuse lawsuits that would otherwise fall outside the statute of limitations within a one-year window.

In a statement given to NME at the time, Lythgoe called Abdul’s claims “false” and “deeply offensive”, adding that for over two decades, he and Paula had “interacted as dear – and entirely platonic – friends and colleagues”.

Abdul alleged that before taking on the role of one of the judges on American Idol, she met with several of the show’s executives in 2001, and during that meeting, Lythgoe had “verbally insulted and belittled” her, calling her a “has been” who “probably wouldn’t be known by the show’s contestants”.

She went on to join the show in April 2002 but alleged that she was discriminated against, paid less than her fellow male judges, and bullied by Lythgoe and the show’s production. Elsewhere in the suit, it was alleged that during one of the show’s “initial seasons”, Lythgoe had sexually assaulted her in the elevator of a hotel room they were staying at while traveling for one of the show’s auditions.

“Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat,” it read. “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.”

Abdul claimed she chose not to speak up about the allegations over fear of retaliation from Lythgoe, who she said had the power to fire her from her judging posts. The suit went on to claim that in 2014, Lythgoe sexually assaulted her again at his home after inviting her for dinner. Abdul attended believing it to be a “professional invitation”.

“Toward the end of the evening, 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 continued. “Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not interested in his advances and immediately left.”

Fearing reprisals, Abdul again didn’t speak out about the claims.

Earlier this year, Lythgoe stepped back from his role as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance following the allegations. “I have informed the producers of So You Think You Can Dance of my decision to step back from participating in this year’s series,” he said in a statement.

“I did so with a heavy heart but entirely voluntarily because this great programme has always been about dance and dancers, and that’s where its focus needs to remain. In the meantime, I am dedicating myself to clearing my name and restoring my reputation.”

Now, court documents obtained by Rolling Stone have revealed Abdul and Lythgoe have reached a private settlement for an undisclosed sum.

In a statement given to the publication, Abdul said she was “grateful that this chapter has successfully come to a close” after a year.

“This has been a long and hard-fought personal battle,” she said. “I hope my experience can serve to inspire other women, facing similar struggles, to overcome their own challenges with dignity and respect, so that they too can turn the page and begin a new chapter of their lives.”

Lythgoe also provided a statement: “We live in a troubling time where a person is now automatically assumed to be guilty until proven innocent, a process that can take years,” he said. “That is why, like Paula, I am glad to be able to put this behind me. I know the truth and that gives me great comfort.”