Nigel Lythgoe, the veteran TV producer known for his work on shows like “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” is facing another lawsuit. This comes shortly after Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit against him, alleging sexual assault. The latest lawsuit claims that Lythgoe sexually assaulted and harassed two contestants on a reality competition show 20 years ago.
The two women, who are filing the lawsuit anonymously, were contestants on the show “All American Girl,” which aired for one season in 2003. Lythgoe was a producer on the program. According to the court documents obtained by TMZ, the women allege that Lythgoe would repeatedly show up on set and in dressing rooms when they were wearing dance costumes. They claim that he would openly grope and swat their buttocks.
The lawsuit states that at the end of filming, Lythgoe insisted that one of the women ride with him back to the studio where the rest of the cast was going. The other plaintiff decided to go with them to protect her fellow contestant. However, instead of going to the studio, Lythgoe drove them to his home, where he made sexual advances on both of them. One of the women alleges that Lythgoe lifted up her sweater and tried to kiss her, but she immediately rejected him.
The women are suing Lythgoe and an unnamed production company for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence. They are relying on California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act to revive their claims, despite the statute of limitations.
This is the second lawsuit Lythgoe is facing in a short period of time. Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of sexual assault while they were working together on “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” Lythgoe has denied these allegations, stating that they are “wholly untrue” and offensive to him and everything he stands for.
It remains to be seen how these lawsuits will unfold, but they highlight the ongoing issue of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry. It is crucial that these allegations are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
