American singer Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit against British producer Nigel Lythgoe on Friday. She accuses him of having sexually assaulted her in an elevator, while she was a judge on the musical reality show American Idol, around twenty years ago.
According to court documents seen by The New York Times, Paula Abdul alleges that Nigel Lythgoe pushed her against the wall of a hotel elevator while filming an early season of the hit reality show. He allegedly grabbed her genitals and breasts, before “shoving his tongue down her throat”.
The Straight Up singer claims to have tried to push the producer away, only managing to escape when the elevator doors opened.
After developing an early version of American Idol in the United Kingdom, Nigel Lythgoe adapted the television competition for the American market, where it became a popular phenomenon.
In total, Paula Abdul appeared on the show for eight seasons, later returning to the role of judge in the competition So You Think You Can Dance, also produced by Nigel Lythgoe.
The latter also allegedly made advances towards him during this period. According to the singer, he “forced himself on her” while she was sitting on a sofa at her home and “tried to kiss her”.
The complaint was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.