Paula Abdul Accuses Nigel Lythgoe Of Sexually Assaulting Her During ‘Idol,’ ‘SYTYCD,” Files Lawsuit

Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit in opposition to former “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance” producer Nigel Lythgoe, alleging that he sexually assaulted her.

The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Friday, alleges that Lythgoe sexually assaulted Abdul throughout one of many “initial seasons” of “Idol.”

Abdul was a choose for eight seasons beginning in 2002 after which once more in 2014 when she hosted “SYTYCD.”

In accordance with her go well with, Lythgoe allegedly “shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat. 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.”

Years later, the singer, 61, accepted a dinner invitation from Lythgoe, 74, at his house, below the idea that it was a “professional invitation.”

The go well with reads that “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.’ Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not interested in his advances and immediately left.”

A non-disclosure settlement was signed by Abdul as a part of her employment on each exhibits, which prevented her from publicly disclosing “sensitive information.”

She additionally delayed coming ahead out of concern of retaliation from Lythgoe. She disclosed that at one level, Lythgoe referred to as to taunt her, saying that it had been “seven years and the statute of limitations had run” on her window to file a lawsuit.

Due to California’s Sexual Abuse and Cowl-Up Accountability Act, a one-year opening to file sure sexual abuse lawsuits that might in any other case be outdoors the statute of limitations is allowed. The deadline to file is Dec. 31.

Along with Lythgoe, Abdul’s go well with additionally names American Idol Productions, Dance Nation Productions, 19 Leisure, and Fremantlemedia North America as defendants, PEOPLE reported.