Paula Abdul accused former “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance” producer Nigel Lythgoe of allegedly sexually assaulting her multiple times, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in Los Angeles.
Abdul, 61, claims Lythgoe, 74, had sexually assaulted her during one of the “initial seasons” of “American Idol” and then again in 2014 while they served as judges on “So You Think You Can Dance,” according to the lawsuit obtained by The Post.
Lythgoe produced “American Idol” during the peak of the show’s popularity in the 2000s and was last listed as a producer for the talent-based singing show in 2014.
From 2005 to 2014, Lythgoe was listed as the producer and co-creator of “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Abdul alleges Lythgoe committed the first sexual assault in a hotel elevator during the audition stage of American Idol’s earlier seasons.
“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 remained silent about the allegations fearing retaliation from Lythgoe, who she said had the power to fire her from her role as a judge on the show.
During the second alleged assault, Abdul claims Lythgoe sexually assaulted her at his home after inviting her for dinner in 2014.
