American singer Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit against British producer Nigel Lythgoe on Friday. She accuses him of sexually assaulting her in an elevator, while she was a judge on the music reality show American Idolabout twenty years ago.
According to court documents consulted by the New York Times, Paula Abdul alleges Nigel Lythgoe pushed her against the wall of a hotel elevator while filming an early season of the hit reality show. He allegedly grabbed her genitals and breasts, before “pushing his tongue down her throat”.
The interpreter of Straight Up claims he tried to push the producer away, only managing to escape when the elevator doors opened.
After having developed a first version ofAmerican Idol in the United Kingdom, Nigel Lythgoe adapted the television competition for the American market, where it became a popular phenomenon.
In total, Paula Abdul appeared on the show for eight seasons, later returning to the role of judge in the competition So You Think You Can Dancealso produced by Nigel Lythgoe.
The latter also allegedly made advances towards him during this period. According to the singer, he “forced himself on her” while she was sitting on a sofa at her home and “tried to kiss her”.
The complaint was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.