Paula Abdul's Shocking Confession... "Former American Idol PD Committed Sexual Assault"

Sexual Assault in Hotel Elevator in Early 2000s

Paula Abdul (61), a famous American singer, has filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe (74), the former producer of the audition program 'American Idol,' on charges of sexual assault.

On the 30th (local time), the New York Times (NYT) reported that Abdul claimed in a complaint filed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court that she was sexually assaulted by Lythgoe, who was a broadcast producer in the early 2000s.

At the time, Abdul was serving as a judge on American Idol, and she alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Lythgoe in a hotel elevator while staying out of town for the program's regional auditions. Abdul also served as a judge on the dance audition program 'So You Think You Can Dance' with Lythgoe from 2015 to 2016, and she claimed that she was sexually assaulted again when she visited Lythgoe's home for work discussions during that period.

Singer Paola Abdul [Photo by UPI Yonhap News]

Additionally, Abdul mentioned in the complaint that Lythgoe verbally abused her by calling her and saying, "It's been seven years, so the statute of limitations (for sexual assault) has expired, let's celebrate." Abdul also claimed that while working as a judge on American Idol, she was discriminated against in terms of compensation and benefits, was constantly ridiculed by Lythgoe and other production staff, and was portrayed as incompetent through malicious editing.

Paula Abdul, a representative dance singer of the 1980s and 1990s, gained fame as a choreographer for famous artists such as Janet Jackson. She enjoyed her heyday by achieving six Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits, including 'Opposites Attract' and 'Rush Rush,' over four years. After suspending her activities due to health issues in the mid-1990s, she returned as an entertainer by serving as a judge on American Idol starting in 2002. Abdul served as a judge from seasons 1 to 8 of American Idol, making her the longest-serving female judge on the program.

Nigel Lythgoe directed 'American Idol' for about 12 years before being fired in 2013.

Meanwhile, Abdul's lawsuit filing follows California's temporary allowance for victims to claim damages until 2026, even if the statute of limitations has expired for sexual assault cases that occurred after January 2009.