"Paula Abdul Files Lawsuit Against 'American Idol' Producer Lythgoe for Alleged Sexual Assault"

Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe, former producer of American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, alleging that he sexually assaulted her multiple times during the early 2000s and in 2014. The lawsuit also names the shows' production companies as defendants and includes claims of sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence. Abdul claims she faced discrimination and was paid less than her male counterparts, and she feared retaliation, which kept her from speaking out sooner. The suit also alleges that Lythgoe sexually assaulted one of Abdul's assistants in 2015. This case is part of a wave of sexual abuse suits following legislative changes in New York and California that temporarily waive the statute of limitations for such claims.