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Paula Abdul sues former defendant american idol and So I think you can dance A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Friday alleges that producer Nigel Lythgow and the show’s production company sexually assaulted her multiple times while he hosted the show.
In a lawsuit reviewed by rolling stoneAbdul claimed that he was sexually assaulted by Lithgow during the following period: american idol the first season, and again a few years later in 2014 when she was hosting. So I think you can dance.
Produced by Lithgow american idol According to his IMDB page, he last produced the show in 2014, when it was at its peak in popularity in the early to mid-2000s.he produced So I think you can dance In addition to Lithgow, the show’s production companies American Idol Productions, Dance Nation Productions, 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia North America were all named as defendants. The causes of action cited include sexual assault/assault, sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence.
Lithgow and american idol did not respond immediately rolling stone’Request for comments.
Before assuming the role of judge, Mr Abdul argued: Idol, She met with several executives about the show in 2001. During that meeting, Abdul said Lithgow “verbally insulted and belittled” her and called her a “past person” who was “probably unknown to the cast of the show.” he claimed.
Despite the misgivings that arose from that encounter, Mr. Abdul ended up joining the show by April 2002. Her lawsuit alleges that Ms. Abdul suffered discrimination, that she was paid less than other male judges, and that Lithgow and her show’s producers bullied her.
The lawsuit does not specify a specific year, but during one of the show’s “early seasons,” Lithgow sexually assaulted her in the elevator of her hotel room while she was traveling to audition for the show. It is said that he received it.
“Mr. Lithgow pushed Mr. Abdul against a wall, grabbed his genitals and breasts, and began pushing his tongue down his throat,” the complaint states. “Abdul tried to pull Lithgow away from her. When the elevator door to her home opened, Ms. Abdul jumped out of the elevator and headed for her hotel room. Ms. Abdul immediately cried out to one of the agents. I called and told them about the assault.”
Mr Abdul chose not to speak out about the allegations, fearing retaliation from Mr Lithgow, who said he had the power to remove him from his position as a judge. Years later, in 2014, Lithgow took her out to dinner and sexually assaulted her again at her home, according to her complaint. Abdul said she attended what she believed was a “professional invitation,” according to the complaint.
“Toward the end of the night, Ms. Lithgow forced herself on top of Mr. Abdul while she was sitting on the couch and attempted to kiss her, declaring that they would make a great ‘power couple,'” the suit alleges. “Abdul pushed Lithgow away and explained that she was not interested in his advances and she left immediately.”
Abdul did not speak out about the allegations, also fearing retaliation, according to the complaint. Apart from Lithgow’s authority, Abdul’s contracts on both shows stipulated that he was “prohibited from publicly disclosing any confidential information” about the shows and their business, the lawsuit claims.
Abdul also claimed that during filming he witnessed Lithgow sexually assaulting one of his assistants, named April. So I think you can dance In 2015, Lithgow “approached Abdul and April from behind, pressed his body against April and began groping her,” the complaint alleges. April disagreed. ”
Abdul’s complaint also alleges that Lithgow teased her over the phone about his alleged behavior. “Lithgow knew that her treatment of Abdul was inappropriate, even criminal,” the complaint said. “In fact, at one point, Lithgow called Abdul and berated her, telling her that it was time to celebrate because ‘seven years have passed and the statute of limitations has run.’ He clearly knew that he had the power to silence her.”
Mr. Abdul is one of the most high-profile sexual abuse suitors since New York and California passed laws temporarily waiving statutes of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits. . These bills bring a series of charges against some of the biggest names in the music and entertainment industry, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Vin Diesel, Axl Rose, and L.A. Reid.
