Nigel Lythgoe Denies Sexual Assault Allegations: Accuses Paula Abdul of “Fabricating Lies”
In a shocking legal development, Nigel Lythgoe, the celebrated co-creator of So You Think You Can Dance and a former producer on American Idol, has vehemently denied sexual assault allegations brought against him by Paula Abdul. The long-time television producer and choreographer is now fighting a public legal battle that threatens to tarnish his reputation and career. According to court documents, filed on October 15, Lythgoe described Abdul’s allegations as “appalling lies” and asserted that her claims are part of a larger campaign aimed at ruining his career.
The legal dispute stems from Abdul’s lawsuit, in which she alleges that Lythgoe sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions during the early 2000s while working on American Idol, and again in 2015, during her involvement with So You Think You Can Dance. The amended complaint, recently submitted by Abdul, also includes accusations that her assistant was sexually assaulted by Lythgoe during an April 2015 incident, a detail not present in her original lawsuit.
Lythgoe, however, is not backing down. In his response, he called Abdul a “pathological liar” and “attention seeker,” adding that her claims lack credibility and are riddled with inconsistencies. His defense is supported by a series of private communications between him and Abdul, including emails, text messages, and social media exchanges, which he argues prove that the two maintained a friendly relationship during the periods in which Abdul alleges the assaults occurred.
A Legal Battle of He-Said, She-Said
Paula Abdul’s original complaint did not include any mention of her own assault in the April 2015 incident but instead focused on the alleged assault of her assistant. The new amended filing, however, includes additional details claiming that she too was assaulted during that time. Lythgoe’s legal team has seized upon this change in narrative, asserting that Abdul’s sudden recollection of her own assault is implausible.
“It strains belief that Abdul would supposedly remember witnessing her assistant’s alleged assault by Lythgoe in April 2015, yet seemingly ‘forget’—until the submission of her first amended complaint—that she herself was allegedly assaulted at that same time,” reads Lythgoe’s legal response. The defense paints Abdul’s revised allegations as opportunistic and part of a strategy to leverage the #MeToo movement against him.
Lythgoe’s court filings point to Abdul’s alleged vagueness in describing the specific timing and details of the assaults, casting doubt on her credibility. The documents also include evidence of what Lythgoe’s legal team claims were “affectionate” and “jovial” communications between the two during the years when the alleged incidents took place.
Emails and Texts as Evidence
Lythgoe has taken the rare step of revealing private emails and text messages between himself and Abdul, hoping to discredit her claims. According to the court filings, these communications depict a warm and friendly relationship between the two over the years, contradicting the narrative Abdul is now putting forth. In one email dated June 2014, Abdul purportedly wrote to Lythgoe, “Hi Nigel, Thank you for the beautiful flowers—they were exquisite! However, I must say the highlight was the birthday card from last night. I am still laughing! I also wanted to express how delighted I was to have you and Andrea celebrate my special day with me! I truly value our friendship and am eager to embark on our project together. Xo Xo Paula.”
Another email, dated June 2015, allegedly sent by Abdul after the date of the assault she now claims occurred, expressed excitement over Lythgoe’s professional success: “Yippee!!! I’m so ‘eff-ing’ happy & thrilled for you!!!! Way to go, sweetheart! You are so deserving! Mazel Tov… I love your guts!!! xo P.”
Lythgoe’s legal team is using these communications to argue that it would be inconceivable for Abdul to have continued to maintain such a warm relationship with him if the assaults had actually taken place. The court documents also suggest that Abdul and Lythgoe were long-time friends, celebrating birthdays and holidays together, with Abdul purportedly sending affectionate messages even after the alleged incidents.
Lythgoe’s legal team is emphasizing the implausibility of Abdul’s claims, noting that she was rarely on set without security and questioning why, if the allegations were true, she would continue to engage with Lythgoe in a friendly manner. They argue that her accusations are not only false but also part of a calculated effort to harm Lythgoe’s career and public image.
Lythgoe's Allegations: A “Tactical Campaign” Against Him
Lythgoe’s defense further asserts that Abdul’s legal action is part of a “tactical campaign” to defame him in the wake of the #MeToo movement. His legal filings describe the allegations as “false, despicable, intolerable, and life-altering,” accusing Abdul of weaponizing false claims against him to exploit the current social climate.
In his response, Lythgoe also references Abdul’s past public statements, including her claims of surviving a plane crash in 1992—a claim that has been widely questioned due to a lack of corroborating evidence. He used this to bolster his argument that Abdul has a history of fabricating dramatic stories to gain attention.
“Abdul’s accusations against Lythgoe are false, despicable, intolerable, and life-altering,” the court documents state. “She has a long history of fabricating stories to attract attention, and these latest allegations are no different. The sole victim in this situation is Lythgoe, whose life and career have been severely impacted by Abdul’s falsehoods.”
Abdul’s Legal Team Responds: "Classic Victim Shaming"
In contrast, Paula Abdul’s legal team has denounced Lythgoe’s response as “classic victim shaming.” Her attorney, Melissa Eubanks, argues that Lythgoe’s position as a producer on both American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance gave him significant power over Abdul’s career. Eubanks explained that this power dynamic made it difficult for Abdul to speak out earlier and that she may have felt compelled to maintain a positive relationship with Lythgoe to protect her career.
“Mr. Lythgoe does not seem to recognize that he occupied a position of authority over Ms. Abdul. As a producer on American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, he wielded significant influence over her career, which he was fully aware of,” said Eubanks. “It is not surprising that Ms. Abdul resorted to flattering him with positive affirmations and apparent admiration. Such strategies are often employed by women like Ms. Abdul to navigate the challenges posed by men who exploit their power.”
Abdul’s team contends that Lythgoe’s legal response selectively highlights portions of their extensive communication history, omitting key details that support Abdul’s claims. “His chosen excerpts do not reflect the numerous instances of blatant sexual harassment that Ms. Abdul was compelled to endure,” Eubanks stated, pointing to instances of verbal abuse and inappropriate comments that Abdul allegedly experienced during her time on American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.
The Road Ahead: A Contentious Legal Battle
As both sides continue to exchange heated claims, it is clear that this legal battle is far from over. Lythgoe and Abdul’s attorneys are expected to present additional evidence in the coming months, with each side seeking to bolster their case.
This high-profile lawsuit has already drawn significant media attention, as it involves two well-known figures from the entertainment industry. As the case progresses, it will likely spark broader conversations about power dynamics, victim-shaming, and the challenges of navigating sexual assault allegations in the #MeToo era.
