Veteran TV producer Nigel Lythgoe is facing a second lawsuit, just days after Paula Abdul filed a sexual assault legal action. Paula alleged her boss sexually assaulted her when they worked together on American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.
Two contestants from the show All American Girl, which aired back in 2003, claim he sexually assaulted and harassed them. According to documents, the women allege Nigel would often show up on set and in their dressing rooms. He “openly swatted and groped” their derrières while they were wearing their dance costumes.
In the suit, which the women filed as Jane Does, the women are suing Nigel and an unnamed production company for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence. TMZ has all the details.
A cast party takes a turn
The two women allege they attended a party hosted by production to celebrate the end of filming. At the end of the party, they say Nigel insisted one of the women return to the studio with him.
The second plaintiff insisted on going with them to protect her friend. Rather than taking them back to the studio, however, they say Nigel drove them to his home. Once there, he is said to have made sexual advances on both of them. She alleges he lifted up her sweater and “engulfed” one of the women, trying to kiss her though she pushed him away.
The other plaintiff says the former American Idol producer was aggressive with her, pushing her against a grand piano and forcing his mouth and tongue on her. Both women say his advances were unwelcomed.
The women filed the suit anonymously and only identified the defendant as “John Doe N.L.” and the show as “AAG.” TMZ, however, confirmed “through sources with knowledge” that Nigel and All American Girl are being referred to.
The two women, as well as Paula, cited California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act in their suits. The act allows victims of sexual crimes to file suit even when the statute of limitations has expired.
Denying the allegations
Of course, Nigel denied all allegations, calling them “deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for.” He also called Paula’s suit “wholly untrue.”
I’ve watched SYTYCD for years (love that show!) and have heard Nigel make inappropriate comments to women on several occasions. He thinks he’s being funny, but he’s just gross. Women are not your playthings, Old Man.
So You Think You Can Dance will return March 4, 2024, on Fox.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK NIGEL WILL SETTLE WITH THE WOMEN OR GO TO COURT?
