Paula Abdul is taking legal action against Nigel Lythgoe for some very serious allegations.
The 61-year-old singer and former American Idol judge has filed a lawsuit against Nigel. In it, she is accusing the 74-year-old TV producer and former American Idol boss of sexual assault and harassment.
Legal documents obtained by outlets show Paula alleging that Nigel “verbally insulted and belittled” her on several occasions dating back to 2001. She also claims that he sexually assaulted her during an earlier season of the show.
The lawsuit states that before Paula joined Idol, Nigel said to her that she was a “has been” and that contestants would not know her.
The suit also has a description of an alleged incident of sexual assault:
“One evening, following the day’s auditions, Lythgoe and Abdul entered the elevator of the hotel where they were staying. Upon entering the elevator, Lythgoe 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 floor 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.”
Paula likewise alleges that Nigel later on “attempted to kiss” her during a dinner at his residence, after which she “pushed him off” and “immediately left.”
She also claims witnessing Nigel sexually assault one of her assistants.
The lawsuit alleges that Paula was “discriminated against in terms of compensation and benefits as compared to one of the show’s male judges and host (making nearly pennies to the dollar of what one of her male counterparts were making)” and that “she was the target of constant taunts, bullying, humiliation, and harassment from Lythgoe and other executives, agents, employees, and/or representatives of the show’s producers, 19 Entertainment and Fremantle.”
Paula was one of the original judges on American Idol. She served as a judge on the hit reality competition from 2002 to 2009.
