Who is Nigel Lythgoe – and why is Paula Abdul suing him? The American Idol and SYTYCD producer has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women, including the ‘Rush Rush’ singer

Jan 5 , 2024

TV personalities Paula Abdul and Nigel Lythgoe attend the 2013 amfAR Inspiration Gala Los Angeles at Milk Studios on December 12, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Grammy-award-winning artist and US television star Paula Abdul has accused Nigel Lythgoe, a producer on the singing contest show “American Idol”, of sexual assault, according to a California lawsuit filed on December 29, 2023. (Photo by Mike Windle / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

Two more women are accusing Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault just days after Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit claiming she was twice sexually assaulted by the former So You Think You Can Dance judge

Ex-Idol judge Abdul filed a sexual assault and gender violence lawsuit last week alleging assault by Lythgoe, whom she says ‘was aware’ his behaviour was ‘inappropriate and even criminal’

Two more women are accusing Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault, just days after Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit claiming she was twice sexually assaulted by the former So You Think You Can Dance judge. The case follows a slew of other high-profile sexual assault incidents in 2023.

Accusers Jane Doe K.G. and Jane Doe K.N., who were both “contestants” on the Lythgoe-produced show All American Girl, said they suffered sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment and negligence at the hands of Lythgoe after the series finale party in May 2003, according to the civil suit filed Tuesday and obtained by Deadline.

The women are seeking a slew of damages in response to the complaint against Lythgoe, who is identified in the suit only as John Roe N.L.

Nigel Lythgoe (right) with So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley. Photo: @nigelbrucelythgoe/Instagram

Ex-Idol judge Abdul, 61, filed a sexual assault and gender violence lawsuit last week alleging assault by Lythgoe, whom she says “was aware” his behaviour was “inappropriate and even criminal”, per Deadline.

The first alleged incident occurred in the early days of Idol. Abdul didn’t want to lose her gig and opted against taking action at the time. Abdul says she was then assaulted by Lythgoe in 2015 during her stint judging So You Think You Can Dance.

Abdul’s lawsuit was filed under the Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, which allows limited windows for filing certain civil sexual abuse claims beyond the usual statute of limitations in the US.

Lythgoe issued a statement over the winter holiday weekend denying Abdul’s allegations.

Here’s everything we know about Nigel Lythgoe.

Nigel Lythgoe is an English producer

TV producer Nigel Lythgoe speaks during an unveiling ceremony of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, in 2021. Photo: Reuters

Per his IMDB profile, Lythgoe is a British producer and writer, known for So You Think You Can Dance (2005), Gladiators (1992) and American Idol: The Search for a Superstar (2002).