Former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe denies he sexually assaulted Paula Abdul
Nigel Lythgoe, the longtime television producer and co-creator of So You Think You Can Dance, issued a strong denial after former American Idol judge Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted her. Abdul’s complaint, filed on Friday, alleges multiple incidents across different time periods while she worked on Idol and later while serving as a judge on SYTYCD.
In his statement responding to the suit, Lythgoe said he was “shocked and saddened” by the allegations and described his relationship with Abdul over more than two decades as “dear — and entirely platonic — friends and colleagues.” He called the claims “false” and “deeply offensive,” and said he would vigorously defend himself against what he described as an “appalling smear.”
Abdul’s lawsuit recounts two separate episodes she says constitute sexual assault. The complaint alleges that during the early seasons of American Idol, while production was traveling for auditions, Lythgoe grabbed her breasts and genitals and attempted to kiss her. It also alleges that in 2015, after she had signed a contract to return to So You Think You Can Dance as a judge, Lythgoe forcibly climbed on top of her on a couch and tried to kiss her after inviting her to his home under the pretense of discussing business. The filing further alleges she observed Lythgoe groping one of her assistants that same year.
According to the complaint, Abdul did not report these incidents at the time because she feared retaliation. The suit names multiple defendants, including Lythgoe and several production companies associated with American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. It brings claims of sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence and negligence, and invokes California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which allows certain claims to proceed despite having passed the usual statute of limitations.
Paula Abdul’s “erratic behavior”
In his statement, Lythgoe referenced what he called Abdul’s “erratic behavior” without elaborating. Over the years, Abdul’s conduct and personal struggles have been the subject of public speculation. During the American Idol era there were rumors and controversies involving cast and crew relationships; the show later implemented stricter rules forbidding fraternization between staff and contestants. The complaint and public discussion have once again put Abdul’s past challenges back in the spotlight.
Media coverage over the years noted times when Abdul appeared to struggle on set, and there have been reports and rumors about prescription medication use tied to injuries she sustained earlier in her career. Whether such history will play a role in these legal proceedings remains to be seen. Lythgoe’s defense could potentially reference aspects of Abdul’s past to challenge credibility, while Abdul’s filing contends that fear of reprisal kept her from coming forward sooner.
Observers have pointed out that if the case advances to trial, both sides are likely to present sharply contrasting narratives: Abdul describing the alleged assaults and their impact, and Lythgoe denying the allegations and asserting a long-standing professional and personal relationship that was nonsexual. The legal process will determine what evidence is admissible and how credibility is assessed by a court.
The lawsuit claims that Lythgoe’s behavior was common knowledge
Abdul’s complaint asserts that Lythgoe’s alleged misconduct was widely known within certain circles of the television community and that production entities failed to protect her. The lawsuit names companies involved in producing American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, seeking accountability for both individual conduct and institutional negligence. It relies on the California law designed to provide survivors an extended opportunity to seek redress for sexual abuse that was previously time-barred.
This dispute also raises questions about ongoing and upcoming productions. So You Think You Can Dance season 18 is scheduled to premiere in March with Nigel Lythgoe listed as part of the judges’ panel. Production and network decisions about whether to proceed, pause, or alter promotion in the wake of these allegations are matters for the companies involved and will likely be informed by internal reviews and legal counsel.
As both parties prepare for what could be protracted legal proceedings, the case underscores broader conversations about accountability and workplace safety in entertainment. The court process will determine the factual record, and until that record is established, the allegations and denials will remain contested. For now, Lythgoe has publicly denied the claims and pledged to defend his reputation, while Abdul has pursued civil remedies through the courts.