Nigel Lythgoe, who was days in the past sued for sexual assault by singer Paula Abdul, has now been accused of sexually assaulting two further ladies.
Lythgoe, a TV and movie producer, was hit with a second lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, in line with quite a few shops that obtained and launched the authorized criticism. The lawsuit was filed by two former contestants of the all-female actuality competitors present All American Woman, which Lythgoe produced.
The 74-year-old has been sued for negligence, sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and intentional infliction of emotional misery. His accusers haven’t been publicly named, although the lawsuit additionally lists an unnamed manufacturing firm as a defendant alongside Lythgoe.
The 2 ladies, who’re recognized solely as “Jane Doe Ok.G.” and “Jane Doe Ok.L.,” mentioned Lythgoe victimized them each whereas they had been contestants on All American Woman. Collectively, the ladies alleged Lythgoe forcibly kissed them and groped them on set.
Lythgoe isn’t named outright within the lawsuit and is referred to solely as “John Roe N.L.” TMZ was first to establish Lythgoe as John Roe, with quite a few different shops following swimsuit.
He has not responded publicly to the brand new allegations in opposition to him. He has already denied assaulting Abdul.
Within the newest lawsuit, the Jane Does claimed Lythgoe “walked across the set and dressing rooms and brazenly swatted and groped Plaintiffs’ and different contestants’ buttocks.” The ladies claimed Lythgoe’s behaviour was “brazenly accepted” and was by no means condemned.
The accusers additionally detailed a forged and crew wrap get together hosted by the unnamed manufacturing firm. The lawsuit alleged that whereas on the get together, Lythgoe took an “uncommon curiosity” in Jane Doe Ok.N. and provided to drive her privately to the studio, the place the partygoers had been set to reconvene. Jane Doe Ok.L. mentioned she selected to drive in the identical automotive as Lythgoe and the opposite lady “to make sure her colleague was not left alone.”
Within the automotive, Lythgoe allegedly made undesirable “sexual advances” towards each ladies. He reportedly lifted his sweater over the pinnacle of Jane Doe Ok.G., held her shut and tried to kiss her. She rejected the kiss and “scrambled to launch herself from his grip.”
Lythgoe opted to deliver the ladies to his private residence as an alternative of the studio, the lawsuit reads. There, he allegedly cornered Jane Doe Ok.L. in opposition to a grand piano and “compelled his mouth and tongue onto her.” Solely when Jane Doe Ok.G. protested the behaviour did Lythgoe stop.
Lythgoe’s accusers are looking for a jury trial and all kinds of damages. The ladies mentioned they skilled emotional misery, embarrassment and lack of vanity on account of Lythgoe’s abuse. The Jane Does mentioned they “will proceed to incur bills for medical and psychological remedy, counseling and/or remedy.”
In response to Deadline, the lawsuit will not be profitable. The swimsuit was filed as a part of California’s Sexual Abuse and Cowl Up Accountability Act, which allowed victims of older sexual assaults to file claims in opposition to their abusers in instances past the statute of limitations. The deadline to file was Dec. 31, 2023. The lawsuit was filed on Jan. 2, 2024.
As is, the lawsuit additionally features a presumed typo relating to the delivery 12 months of Jane Doe Ok.G. The authorized submitting claims she was born in 1997, although this implies she would have been six years previous on the time of the alleged assault by Lythgoe.
All American Woman, which noticed contestants battle it out in a expertise present and impediment course, aired on ABC in 2003 and lasted just one season.
Paula Abdul’s allegations
Grammy-winning singer Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit in opposition to Lythgoe late final week, claiming he sexually assaulted her whereas she labored on American Idol and So You Suppose You Can Dance. Lythgoe previously produced each actuality TV exhibits.
Abdul, 49, mentioned Lythgoe sexually assaulted her on two separate events.
Within the first occasion, Abdul mentioned Lythgoe sexually assaulted her whereas filming early seasons of Idol. She alleged Lythgoe tried to kiss her and grabbed her breasts and genitals whereas in an elevator.
The Straight Up singer mentioned she didn’t take motion in opposition to Lythgoe over a “concern that Lythgoe would have her fired from American Idol.”
She additional claimed within the lawsuit that she skilled gender discrimination and was unfairly compensated compared to her male choose counterparts. She mentioned her time on Idol was marred by being “the goal of fixed taunts, bullying, humiliation and harassment.”
Abdul was an Idol choose alongside Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson from 2002 to 2009.
The singer mentioned Lythgoe later sexually assaulted her once more in 2015 whereas they had been each filming So You Suppose You Can Dance.
Abdul mentioned she was known as to Lythgoe’s house as a part of what she thought was a “skilled invitation.” The swimsuit claims Lythgoe “compelled himself on prime of Abdul whereas she was seated on his sofa and tried to kiss her whereas proclaiming that the 2 would make a superb energy couple.”
In her lawsuit, Abdul mentioned she verbally denied Lythgoe’s advances and left his house.
Abdul moreover accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting her assistant.
The lawsuit from Abdul was additionally filed below California’s Sexual Abuse and Cowl Up Accountability Act, and was submitted previous to the Dec. 31, 2023 deadline.
Lythgoe staunchly denied Abdul’s allegations to TMZ the day after her lawsuit was filed.
“To say that I’m shocked and saddened by the allegations made in opposition to me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement,” Lythgoe mentioned. “For greater than twenty years, Paula and I’ve interacted as pricey — and completely platonic — associates and colleagues.”
“I need to be clear: not solely are they false, they’re deeply offensive to me and to the whole lot I stand for,” Lythgoe continued. “Whereas Paula’s historical past of erratic behaviour is well-known, I can’t faux to know precisely why she would file a lawsuit that she should know is unfaithful. However I can promise that I’ll battle this appalling smear with the whole lot I’ve.”
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In case you or somebody you recognize is experiencing abuse or is concerned in an abusive state of affairs, please go to the Canadian Useful resource Centre for Victims of Crime for assist. They’re additionally reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
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