Paula Abdul brings allegations of sexual assault against Nigel Lythgoe

American singer and dancer Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against British television executive Nigel Lythgoe, accusing him of multiple instances of sexual assault. The alleged assaults took place during their time working on American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. Abdul claims that the first assault occurred during the early seasons of American Idol, when Lythgoe assaulted her in an elevator while they were on the road for regional auditions. She managed to escape and immediately reported the incident to her representatives. The second assault allegedly took place over a decade later at Lythgoe’s home in Los Angeles, during what Abdul thought was a professional meeting. She claimed that Lythgoe forced himself on her and suggested they become a “power couple”, to which she rejected his advances. Abdul states that she also witnessed Lythgoe assault one of her assistants during the filming of So You Think You Can Dance in Las Vegas. The lawsuit further alleges that Lythgoe taunted Abdul years later, saying they should celebrate because the statute of limitations had run out. Abdul remained silent for years due to fear of speaking out against a prominent producer and contractual agreements that prohibited her from disclosing any confidential or derogatory information. Her lawsuit has been filed under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, which temporarily extends the statute of limitations in sexual assault cases. The impact of these allegations and the lawsuit stretches beyond the individuals involved and raises important discussions about workplace harassment and the abuse of power in the entertainment industry. It serves as a reminder that no one should be subjected to such behavior, regardless of their status or position in the industry. The outcome of the lawsuit will be closely watched by many, as it has the potential to set a precedent for future cases involving similar allegations