Paula Abdul sues American Idol boss Nigel Lythgoe for ‘sexual assault’ during time on show

The former American Idol judge filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County, California, on Friday.

Paula, 61, claims that Nigel, 74, sexually assaulted her multiple times when she was a judge on Idol and the dance competition, So You Think You Can Dance, The Sun reports.

The Straight Up singer alleges in court documents obtained by TMZ that Nigel first assaulted her in one of Idol’s initial seasons, when they were on the road for regional auditions.

She claims that she was in an elevator with Nigel at their hotel when he allegedly pushed her against the wall, grabbed her genitals and breasts, and tried to kiss her.

Paula tried to push him away from her, she said in the lawsuit, and when the elevator doors opened, she ran straight to her room.

Paula says that she called one of her reps to tell them about the alleged incident but ultimately decided to keep it quiet out of fear that Nigel would fire her as retaliation.

Second ‘assault’

The former Laker Girl claims the second incident happened in 2015 after she signed on to be a judge on SYTCD, which Nigel also executive produced.

The lawsuit states that sometime during Paula’s two seasons on the show, Nigel invited her to his home to discuss business opportunities.

Believing that Nigel’s intentions were strictly professional, Paula accepted the invite.

She claims that when she was at his home, he forced himself on top of her while they were on the couch together, and tried to kiss her.

The TV personality also claims that Nigel kept telling her they’d make an “excellent power couple.”

Paula pushed Nigel off her, according to the lawsuit, and immediately left his house after she told him that she wasn’t interested.

In the suit, Paula claims that Nigel was also inappropriate with her staff member.

She alleges that in 2015, when she was on SYTCD, she witnessed Nigel fondle one of her assistants.

Statute of limitations

Nigel became a household name in the UK after joining talent show Popstars as a judge in 2000.

He later went on to help develop and produce the show Pop Idol, which later became a global franchise that includes American Idol.

Paula, who has been a judge on both the US and UK versions of singing show X Factor, claims that Nigel’s alleged harassment continued years later.

She stated in the lawsuit that Nigel allegedly taunted her by calling her to tell her they should celebrate together because it had been “seven years and the statute of limitations had run.”

According to court docs, Paula alleges that in addition to being a victim of harassment, she also suffered discrimination in terms of compensation while she was a judge on Idol.

Paula is suing Nigel, 19 Entertainment, and FremantleMedia North America for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence, according to TMZ.

The outlet noted that she has come forward years later because of California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act.

The law, which expires December 31, gave accusers a one-year window to pursue legal action beyond the statute of limitations. The US Sun has contacted Nigel for comment in response to the allegations.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.