{"id":65423,"date":"2023-12-31T01:26:37","date_gmt":"2023-12-31T01:26:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/31\/nigel-lythgoe-denies-paula-abduls-sexual-assault-claims\/"},"modified":"2023-12-31T01:26:37","modified_gmt":"2023-12-31T01:26:37","slug":"nigel-lythgoe-denies-paula-abduls-sexual-assault-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/31\/nigel-lythgoe-denies-paula-abduls-sexual-assault-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigel Lythgoe Denies Paula Abdul’s Sexual Assault Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Nigel Lythgoe<\/strong><\/a> denied Paula Abdul<\/strong><\/a>\u2018s allegations that he sexually assaulted her.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement,\u201d the former American Idol<\/em> executive producer, 74, said in a statement to TMZ<\/a> on Saturday, December 30. \u201cFor more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear \u2014 and entirely platonic \u2014 friends and colleagues.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued, \u201cYesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear: not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for.\u201d<\/p>\n

He concluded, \u201cWhile Paula\u2019s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can\u2019t 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 appalling smear with everything I have.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Hollywood’s Sexual Misconduct Scandals<\/a>
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\n\t\t\tWhile Hollywood may appear to be all glitz and glam on the surface, the industry has seen its fair share of\u00a0scandals\u00a0through the years. The\u00a0New York Times\u00a0and the\u00a0New Yorker first published investigative pieces in 2017 that accused disgruntled movie producer Harvey Weinstein of decades of sexual assault and harassment. Soon after, Weinstein stood trial and was [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Lythgoe did not elaborate on what he meant by \u201cerratic behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abdul, 61, submitted a lawsuit<\/a> on Friday, December 29, against Lythgoe as well as 19 Entertainment Inc., American Idol Productions Inc. and Dance Nation Productions Inc. She is seeking a jury trial and damages for sexual assault\/battery, sexual harassment and gender violence, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The filing details multiple alleged incidents, including one in an elevator during an early season of American Idol<\/em>, where Abdul served as a judge<\/a> for eight seasons from 2002 to 2009.<\/p>\n

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\n American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe poses with the judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul on May 25, 2005.<\/span> Kevin Winter\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cUpon entering the elevator, Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat,\u201d the court docs claim. \u201cAbdul attempted to push Lythgoe away from her and let him know that his behavior was not acceptable. When the doors to the elevator for her floor opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her hotel room. In tears, Abdul quickly called one of her representatives to inform them of the assault, but ultimately decided not to take action for fear that Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her claims cover incidents that happened over several years, including one alleged incident around 2015 when Abdul was working on So You Think You Can Dance<\/em>, which Lythgoe executive produces.<\/p>\n

\u201cLythgoe invited her to dinner at his home to discuss other opportunities for the two to work together. Believing this to be a professional invitation, Abdul accepted,\u201d the filing says. \u201cToward the end of the evening, however, 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 \u2018power couple.\u2019 Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not interested in his advances, and immediately left Lythgoe\u2019s home. As with the earlier incident, Abdul feared she would be retaliated against or blackballed if she spoke out about the incident.\u201d<\/p>\n

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