"Paula Abdul Files Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against 'Idol' Producer Nigel Lythgoe"

Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe, an executive producer of "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance," alleging sexual assault on two separate occasions, once in the early 2000s and again in 2015. The lawsuit, which also names several production companies as defendants, claims Abdul was assaulted, discriminated against in terms of compensation, and bullied during her tenure on the shows. Abdul cites the Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act for her ability to file the suit despite the statute of limitations and is seeking unspecified damages for the emotional distress caused by the alleged incidents.