Paula Abdul filed a civil lawsuit against television producer Nigel Lythgoe and four production companies, alleging sexual assault and related claims. Lythgoe denied the allegations. The Associated Press reported in December 2024 that the parties had reached an unconditional settlement, but its terms were not disclosed and the report said judicial approval was still pending.
What Paula Abdul alleged in the lawsuit
Abdul’s complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court names Lythgoe, 19 Entertainment, Inc., FremantleMedia North America, Inc., American Idol Productions, Inc., Dance Nation Productions Inc., and Does 1 through 20 as defendants. It pleads four causes of action: sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, and negligence, and requests a jury trial. Read the complaint.
According to the complaint, one alleged incident occurred while Abdul and Lythgoe were traveling for auditions during an early season of American Idol. The lawsuit also alleges a second incident around 2015, when Abdul was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance. These are claims made in a civil pleading, not findings by a court. The Associated Press reported on the initial lawsuit on December 30, 2023.
How the allegations relate to the television shows
The complaint says Abdul served as a judge on American Idol for eight seasons, from 2002 through 2009. The AP reported that she joined So You Think You Can Dance in 2015 and left after two seasons. Those career details provide context for the settings described in the complaint; they do not establish whether the alleged incidents occurred.
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What Nigel Lythgoe said
Lythgoe denied Abdul’s allegations. In his initial response, as quoted by the AP, he said: “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.” This is Lythgoe’s characterization of Abdul, not an independently established fact.
Did Paula Abdul and Nigel Lythgoe settle?
Yes. The AP reported on December 13, 2024, that the parties had agreed to an unconditional settlement and that Abdul filed a notice of settlement in Los Angeles Superior Court. The report said the settlement terms were not disclosed and judicial approval was still pending at that time. Abdul’s attorney declined to comment on the terms. The available reporting does not establish a settlement amount, a later approval, or a final dismissal, so none should be inferred.
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In a statement reported by the AP, Abdul said: “I am grateful that this chapter has successfully come to a close and is now something I can now put behind me.” Lythgoe said: “I know the truth and that gives me great comfort.” These statements reflect the parties’ positions; the reported settlement is not itself a judicial finding or an admission of the allegations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the complaint cited California law
The complaint says it was filed under California Code of Civil Procedure section 340.16, as amended by AB 2777. The AP described the filing as coming near the end of a temporary window for claims involving sexual abuse where the ordinary limitation period had expired. That description is context for the filing, not a ruling on the law’s application to Abdul’s claims.
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