“American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe is being sued for sexual assault and battery by two additional women, days after sexual assault claims were filed by Paula Abdul.
Both women alleged Lythgoe sexually assaulted them when they were contestants on the show, “All American Girl,” according to TMZ. The show was produced by Lythgoe, and aired in 2003, for one season. Among other allegations, the women claimed he repeatedly joined them backstage and in dressing rooms and “openly swatted and groped” their butts, TMZ reported.
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The two alleged victims have filed their lawsuit anonymously. They are suing Lythgoe as well as an unnamed production company for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, according to TMZ.
Both Jane Does allege Lythgoe hosted a party in celebration of the end of the filming of the show and insisted one of the women join him for a drive back to the studio where the cast was going next. The second plaintiff claims she insisted on joining them to ensure the safety of her friend.
They claim he drove them back to his home, rather than the studio, and proceeded to make sexual advances on them both. One of the women alleged he lifted her sweater up and “engulfed” her while trying to kiss her, and said she immediately rejected his advances, according to TMZ.
The other woman alleged he became aggressive and pushed her against a grand piano before forcing his mouth and tongue on her.
JUST IN: Paula Abdul SUES ‘American Idol’ Producer and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Colleague Nigel Lythgoe, Citing Allegations of Sexual Misconduct..
Paula Abdul has initiated legal proceedings against Nigel Lythgoe, the executive producer of American Idol and her previous… pic.twitter.com/mIfVRhZaQA
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) December 30, 2023
The lawsuit cites the defendant as “John Roe N.L.” and the show as “AAG” but sources with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed the reference is to Nigel Lythgoe and “All American Girl,” according to TMZ.
The plaintiffs filed under the California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, which permits the filing of this litigation in situations where the statute of limitations would have otherwise prevented a filing at this stage.
Abdul filed under the same Act when she alleged Lythgoe sexually assaulted her while they collaborated on “American Idol,” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” (RELATED: Jamie Foxx Speaks Out Amid Sexual Assault Allegations)
Lythgoe responded to Abdul’s allegations by calling them “wholly untrue.” He went on to say he found them “deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for.”
He has not yet issued a public comment regarding the new lawsuit filed against him.