Paula Abdul previously filed a lawsuit against the 74-year-old disgraced producer over alleged sexual harassment during the time when she served as a judge on 'American Idol'.
- Jan 6, 2024
AceShowbiz - Nigel Lythgoe has stepped down from his duty as a judge on "So You Think You Can Dance" following multiple sexual assault lawsuits. The 74-year-old disgraced producer announced his departure in a statement on Friday, January 5.
"I have informed the producers of 'So You Think You Can Dance' of my decision to step back from participating in this year's series," he revealed in the statement to Variety. "I did so with a heavy heart but entirely voluntarily because this great program has always been about dance and dancers, and that's where its focus needs to remain. In the meantime, I am dedicating myself to clearing my name and restoring my reputation."
FOX and Sony Pictures Television's 19 Entertainment confirmed Nigel's exit in a separate statement to the news outlet. According to the two companies, the upcoming season 18 "will proceed, although without Nigel Lythgoe, to ensure the show remains committed to the contestants, who have worked incredibly hard for the opportunity to compete on our stage."
It's also said that "no decision has been made as to the replacement judge for this season, which will premiere on FOX on Monday, March 4." Nigel previously served as the judge of the dancing competition show alongside Allison Holker and Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Nigel's decision to step away from "SYTYCD" came after Paula Abdul accused him of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed on December 29, 2023. Paula, who was a judge on both "So You Think You Can Dance" and "American Idol" which Nigel also produced, claimed that he groped her breasts and genitals and forcibly kissed her inside the elevator during one of the early seasons of "American Idol".
She added that a decade later, Nigel invited her to his home for dinner during which he forced himself on top of her while she was sitting on his couch. Paula noted that she resisted and fled in both instances. Not stopping there, Nigel continued to verbally harass and bully her. She also noted in the lawsuit that she was paid less than the male judges on "American Idol".
In response to the accusations, Nigel issued a statement denying the claims. "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," he said. "But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have."
In addition to Paula's lawsuit, Nigel is slapped with another sexual abuse lawsuit from two former contestants of "All American Girl". They alleged that Nigel once swatted and groped the dancers' buttocks on the set of the show. The lawsuit, however, didn't identify Nigel, the plaintiffs, or the show by name as it only used initials.
