An interview with Nigel Lythgoe is resurfacing, in which the ‘American Idol’ boss admitted to “wanting to abuse” Paula Abdul.
The interview is making waves one day after Abdul sued the ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ producer for sexual assault and harassment.
In 2017, Lythgoe spoke with Daily Beast, where he and Abdul discussed her and fellow ‘American Idol’ judge, Simon Cowell, and their constant bickering on the reality competition singing show — something that actually helped gain viewership.
During that 2017 interview, Lythgoe admitted he “wanted to be the next person to abuse” Paula Abdul.
Nigel Lythgoe’s 2017 Interview Resurfaces Amid Sexual Assault Allegations
MEGA
Although the comments Nigel Lythgoe made were from six years ago, individuals cannot let it slide as Lythgoe said, “To be able to work with [Abdul] on ‘Idol’ for all those years and see how she was mistreated by Simon [Cowell] … so abused and mistreated…”
“I wanted to be the next person to abuse her,” he added.
The comment was laughed off at the time, as Lythgoe obviously implied it to be a joke. But, based on the allegations, it’s something that just doesn’t sound good.
Additionally, the comment was made six years after Paula Abdul claims Lythgoe verbally abused her, which she says [the first time] was in or about early 2001.
Paula Abdul Files New Lawsuit Against Nigel Lythgoe
MEGA
The timing of the resurfaced interview does not come as a coincidence as, Paula Abdul filed a new lawsuit, claiming that “during one of ‘American Idol”s initial seasons, while on the road for the show’s regional auditions, Lythgoe sexually assaulted her,” per our previous report.
The legal documents, obtained by The Blast continued, “One evening, following the day’s auditions, Lythgoe and Abdul entered the elevator of the hotel where they were staying. Upon entering the elevator, Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat. Abdul attempted to push Lythgoe away from her.”
“When the doors to the elevator for her floor 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,” the docs continued.
That was not the only time Paula Abdul claims Nigel Lythgoe assaulted her as she stated he assaulted her while attending a dinner at Lythgoe’s house.
During the dinner, Abdul says Lythgoe forced himself on top of her while she was on his couch and “attempted to kiss” her while stating the two would make a “power couple.”
Abdul says she “pushed him off, explaining she was not interested in his advances, and immediately left,” the legal documents state.
Paula Abdul Accuses Nigel Lythgoe Of Verbal Abuse
MEGA
Paula Abdul’s participation in ‘American Idol’ as a judge on the show was a huge success, bringing in viewers for multiple seasons. In fact, “during her tenure on the show, which spanned eight seasons from 2002 to 2009, viewership and ratings for the show skyrocketed, hitting their peak between Seasons 5 and 8. Tellingly, ratings and viewership began to sink almost immediately following Abdul’s departure from the show,” the legal documents state.
Despite bringing in viewership, she claims she was discriminated against and mistreated. The documents state:
“Throughout her tenure on ‘American Idol,’ Abdul not only was discriminated against in terms of compensation and benefits as compared to one of the show’s male judges and host (making nearly pennies to the dollar of what one of her male counterparts were making), but she was the target of constant taunts, bullying, humiliation, and harassment from Lythgoe and other executives, agents, employees, and/or representatives of the show’s producers, 19 Entertainment and Fremantle.”
MEGA
She also claims that she is not the only one to have dealt with Lythgoe’s abuse, as she claims she witnessed him sexually assault one of her assistants, per the docs.
Paula Abdul says the reason behind not reporting the incident sooner was because of possible implications for her job and career.