Paula Abdul, the Grammy and Emmy award-winning singer and dancer, has reached a settlement in her sexual assault lawsuit against British television producer Nigel Lythgoe. The lawsuit, filed a year ago, accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul twice, with the first incident allegedly occurring while they were working together on the talent show American Idol.
In a statement, Abdul, 62, expressed relief that the legal matter had been resolved. Lythgoe, 75, also issued a statement, expressing his satisfaction in being able to move on from the case. The British TV producer had previously denied the allegations, calling them an “appalling smear.”
On Friday, Ms. Abdul expressed gratitude that a difficult chapter in her life had come to a close. She described the legal battle as long and challenging, but now, she feels it’s behind her. She hoped her experience would inspire other women facing similar challenges to overcome them with dignity and respect, allowing them to move forward and begin a new chapter of their own lives.
Ms. Abdul’s attorney, Melissa Eubanks, did not reveal the specifics of the settlement terms.
In a separate statement, Mr. Lythgoe commented on the times we live in, where people are often presumed guilty until proven innocent, a process that can take years. He expressed relief at being able to move on from the case, finding comfort in knowing the truth.
Ms. Abdul’s 16-page lawsuit accused Mr. Lythgoe of sexually assaulting her twice during their time working together. The first alleged incident occurred while they worked on American Idol, where she claimed Mr. Lythgoe forcibly kissed her in a hotel elevator and groped her. The second alleged assault took place in 2015 after a work dinner for So You Think You Can Dance, during which she accused him of assaulting her on his couch at his Los Angeles home. She said she rejected his advances and immediately left his home.
In October 2024, Abdul filed an amended complaint, alleging a third assault by Mr. Lythgoe.
Mr. Lythgoe responded by submitting text messages between him and Ms. Abdul, which he argued showed their relationship to be friendly and jovial, contradicting her allegations. His legal team contended that it was unimaginable for Ms. Abdul to tolerate his proximity or send flirtatious messages if her claims were true.
Ms. Abdul’s legal team dismissed this as “classic victim shaming,” emphasizing Mr. Lythgoe’s power as a producer over her as a key factor in the situation.
Court documents confirmed that the case had been settled earlier this week, with a notice filed with LA County Superior Court. The next step will be to file for the dismissal of the case, which was scheduled to go to trial next year.