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Nigel Lythgoe Reiterates Denial of Paula Abdul Assault Claims, Says He Is Back Producing

The lawsuit settled last year with undisclosed terms, giving Abdul a sense of closure.

Overview

  • Lythgoe told cameras at LAX that the accusation against him "wasn't true" and said he does not feel he needs to rebuild his legacy.
  • He said he is working on a movie and another show, noting the new series is not dance-focused and hinting it revisits territory from his past work.
  • Abdul sued in December 2023, alleging two sexual assaults that included a forcible kiss and groping during periods tied to American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.
  • The parties reached a settlement last year, and Abdul said she was grateful to put the matter behind her after a long personal battle.
  • Media reports note the settlement terms remain confidential, with no public indication of whether any payment was involved.