Paula Abdul has filed a case against her former American Idol executive producer Nigel Lithgo, accusing him of sexual harassment during their time working together.
The singer-choreographer Paula Abdul, who served as a judge on the singing competition show from 2002 to 2009, submitted documents in the Los Angeles court on December 29, alleging sexual misconduct.
The filing falls under the majority of civil cases related to sexual harassment permitted under the Sexual Assault and Cover-Up Accountability Act.
The cases that can proceed beyond the statute of limitations, and whose filing deadline is December 31, are now moving forward.
In her filing, as reported by E! News, the 61-year-old Abdul details two incidents of alleged sexual harassment by the 74-year-old Lithgo.
The first incident reportedly occurred during one of the early seasons of American Idol when Abdul and Lithgo were on the road for regional auditions.
It is stated that when both were inside a hotel elevator, the producer touched the singer without her consent and kissed her without her agreement.
Abdul states that she attempted to push him away and conveyed that his behavior was unacceptable. She quickly left the scene and informed a representative about the incident. However, she ultimately decided not to take action out of fear that Lithgo would remove her from American Idol.
Abdul also alleges in her case that years later, Lithgo sexually harassed her again, around the time when she worked as a co-judge on “So You Think You Can Dance,” a reality dance competition series he co-produced.
The singer, who performed on the show between 2015 and 2016, mentioned in her filing that she had invited him to her home for a dinner discussion about “other opportunities to work together.” Abdul alleges that at the end of the evening, when she was sitting on her couch, Lithgo forcibly advanced towards her and attempted to kiss her, saying they would create an exceptional ‘power’ together.
UPDATE: Nigel Lythgoe has issued a statement in response to Paula Abdul‘s allegations.
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