Nigel Lythgoe hit with new lawsuits by 'All American Girl' contestants after Paula Abdul's allegations
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Nigel Lythgoe, already facing sexual assault allegations from Paula Abdul, is now confronted with a second lawsuit. Two contestants from the show 'All American Girl' filed the suit, accusing Lythgoe of inappropriate behavior during the production of the 2003 program.
The Jane Doe pseudonyms used by the accusers claim that Lythgoe allegedly engaged in inappropriate conduct on the set and in dressing rooms, including 'openly swatting and groping' their buttocks. Additionally, they alleged that Lythgoe took them to his home after a wrap party instead of the studio, making sexual advances.
'All American girl' contestants accuse Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault
According to TMZ, the accusers are suing Lythgoe and an unnamed production company for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence.
In the documents obtained by TMZ, the television veteran is alleged to have made sexual advances on them, including lifting up one of the accuser's sweaters and trying to kiss her, a move she refused.
Despite her protests, the second alleged victim claims Lythgoe shoved her against his piano and forced his tongue down her throat.
The lawsuit, similar to Paula Abdul's, falls under California's Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, which allows allegations of sexual misconduct to bypass the statute of limitations under certain circumstances.
Singer Straight Up accuses American Idol executive Lythgoe of sexual assault during her stints as a judge on the singing competition show and 'So You Think You Can Dance.'
Nigel Lythgoe firmly denies Paula Abdul's allegations of Sexual Assault
Nigel Lythgoe has issued a firm denial in response to Paula Abdul's sexual assault allegations against him. The acclaimed television executive and producer expressed shock and sadness at the accusations, asserting that his interactions with Abdul over more than two decades were entirely platonic.
Lythgoe's representative stated that the claims are not only false but deeply offensive to him and his values. The denial also highlighted the suddenness of learning about the allegations through the press. Lythgoe vowed to fight what he described as an "appalling smear" with all available resources.
"To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement. For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear – and entirely platonic – friends and colleagues. Yesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear: not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for. While Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue. But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have.”
