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Nigel Lythgoe has stepped down from his position as a pass judgement on on “So You Think You Can Dance” days after Paula Abdul sued him for sexual attack.
“I have informed the producers of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ of my decision to step back from participating in this year’s series,” he advised TMZ Friday.
“I did so with a heavy heart but entirely voluntarily because this great program has always been about dance and dancers, and that’s where its focus needs to remain.”
Lythgoe, 74, concluded his remark, pronouncing, “In the meantime, I am dedicating myself to clearing my name and restoring my reputation.”
The transfer comes per week after Abdul, 61, filed a lawsuit towards the director, alleging that he sexually assaulted her in a resort elevator whilst they have been touring for “American Idol” throughout some of the display’s “initial seasons.”
“Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat,” the courtroom paperwork received by way of Web page Six on the time mentioned.
“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.”
Within the go well with, the “Opposites Attract” singer additionally alleged that a separate incident happened when Lythgoe invited her over to his house for dinner, which she authorised as a result of she believed it used to be 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,’” courtroom paperwork learn.
“Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not interested in his advances and immediately left.”
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Lythgoe denied Abdul’s allegations, pronouncing in a remark to Web page Six that he's “shocked and saddened by the allegations” made towards him.
“For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear – and entirely platonic – friends and colleagues. 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,” the movie director advised us final week.
“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.”
After Abdul’s lawsuit, two different ladies got here ahead with an identical allegations towards Lythgoe.
The ladies — who filed their go well with as Jane Does — alleged that they have been contestants on Lythgoe’s all-female truth festival display, “All American Girl,” which aired in 2003.
They claimed within the lawsuit that Lythgoe “walked around the set and dressing rooms and openly swatted and groped” their buttocks, along side different contestants, whilst they have been dressed in dance costumes.
The Jane Does additionally alleged that Lythgoe “made sexual advances” on them at his Los Angeles house.
The ladies are suing the dad of 2 and his manufacturing corporate for sexual attack and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, intentional infliction of emotional misery and negligence.
Reps for Lythgoe didn't right away reply to Web page Six’s request for remark following the lawsuit from the ladies.
If you happen to or any person you understand is suffering from any of the problems raised on this tale, name the Sexual Attack Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.