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Nigel Lythgoe isn’t taking place with out a battle.
The “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance” manufacturer says Paula Abdul’s claims of sexual attack towards him are “false” and “deeply offensive,” and he plans to end up his innocence in court docket.
“To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement,” he instructed TMZ in a long observation on Saturday.
“For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear — and entirely platonic — friends and colleagues.”
He persevered, “Yesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear: not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for.”
“While Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue.”
“But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have,” he concluded.
Lythgoe didn’t elaborate on what he supposed by way of “erratic behavior,” nevertheless it’s conceivable he’s regarding her alleged affair with former “American Idol” contestant Corey Clark from the mid-2000s, which she has at all times vehemently denied.
The mythical choreographer filed her lawsuit towards Lythgoe on Friday, alleging that she was once sexually assaulted by way of him on two other events.
She additionally claims that she was once careworn by way of him, and a 2017 interview that has since resurfaced presentations he as soon as joked about short of to “abuse” her.
The 61-year-old singer — who just lately visitor judged an episode of “Dancing With the Stars” — claims that throughout early seasons of “Idol,” Lythgoe sexually assaulted her in a lodge elevator whilst they had been touring for the display.
For extra Web page Six you like …
“Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat,” the court docket paperwork, which Web page Six acquired, state.
“Abdul attempted to push Lythgoe away from her. When the doors to the elevator for her door opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her hotel room. Abdul quickly called one of her representatives in tears to inform them of the assault.”
Abdul claims a 2nd incident took place whilst she labored along him as a pass judgement on on “So You Think You Can Dance” between 2015 and 2016.
She alleges that Lythgoe, now 74, invited her over to his house for dinner and he or she permitted as she believed it was once a “professional invitation.”
“Toward the end of the evening, Lythgoe forced himself on top of Abdul while she was seated on his couch and attempted to kiss her while proclaiming that the two would make an excellent ‘power couple,'” court docket paperwork state. “Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not interested in his advances and immediately left.”
Courtroom paperwork additional state that Abdul additionally allegedly witnessed Lythgoe sexually attack certainly one of her assistants in 2015.
Abdul additionally alleges that Lythgoe “verbally insulted and belittled” her in a gathering ahead of she formally signed on to pass judgement on “American Idol” in April 2002.
During her 8 season at the display, she additionally felt discriminated towards.
The “Straight Up” singer additional mentioned she selected to not discuss up about any of the allegations on the time over worry of retaliation from her former boss.
Abdul’s attorney — managing spouse Douglas L. Johnson of Johnson & Johnson LLP — additional instructed Web page Six, “Ms. Abdul should be commended for the immense courage required to take action against the type of abuse that was inflicted upon her.”
“Particularly when the alleged abuser is a figure so dominant in her profession.”
“It was clearly a difficult decision to make, but Ms. Abdul knows that she stands both in the shoes and on the shoulders of many other similarly situated survivors, and she is determined to see that justice is done.”