Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging she was sexually assaulted in the early 2000s while she was a judge on the show.
Abdul filed a notice of settlement Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court. It still requires a judge’s approval.
“I am grateful that this chapter has come to a close and we can now put it behind us,” Abdul said in a statement Friday. “This has been a long and tough personal struggle. I hope my experience inspires other women facing similar struggles to overcome their challenges with dignity and respect. I hope they too can turn the page and make a new start on this chapter of their lives. ”
Court filings say the settlement is unconditional, but the terms were not disclosed, and Abdul’s attorney, Melissa Eubanks, said she could not comment on the terms.
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Mr. Lithgow’s lawyer did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
The lawsuit, which was filed about a year ago, alleges that after Lithgow left “American Idol” and became a judge on Lithgow’s other competition show, “So You Think You Can Dance,” Abdul He was accused of sexually assaulting her.
Ms Lithgow called the allegations a “horrible smear” at the time and said she was “shocked and saddened”.
Lithgow resigned from his role as judge on “So You Think You Can Dance” in January after other lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct were filed.
The 75-year-old British-born producer has been a prominent television producer for decades in both the UK and the US, working on reality shows such as “American Idol.”
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The Associated Press typically does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault unless they come forward publicly, as Abdul did.
Abdul, a Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer and dancer, said in the lawsuit that he remained silent about the assault allegations for years out of fear of retaliation from “one of the most prominent producers of television competition shows.” .
She alleged that the first sexual assault occurred while Abdul and Lithgow were filming auditions for an early season of American Idol, which first aired in 2002.
Abdul said that after a day of filming, Lithgow groped her in a hotel elevator and “began pushing his tongue down her throat.” Abdul pushed the man away and ran to his hotel room when the elevator doors opened.
“Mr. Abdul immediately called one of his agents in tears and informed him of the assault, but ultimately decided not to take any action for fear that Mr. Lithgow would fire him,” the complaint states. It is written as “.
Abdul appeared as a judge on the show for the first eight seasons, leaving in 2009.
In 2015, Abdul was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, appearing alongside Lithgow.
Around that time, Abdul’s lawsuit alleges, Lithgow forcibly climbed on top of her and tried to kiss her during dinner at her home. Mr Abdul said she pushed Mr Lithgow again and immediately left.
Abdul left the reality show after two seasons. She has not worked with Lithgow since then.
In a statement at the time of the lawsuit, Lithgow said: “Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known and I understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she knew was false.” You can’t pretend.”
