Paula Abdul settles lawsuit alleging sexual assault by ‘American Idol’ producer Nigel Lythgoe

Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit during which she alleged he sexually assaulted her within the early 2000s when she was a decide on the present.

Abdul filed a discover of settlement of the case in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom on Thursday. It nonetheless should be accredited by a decide.

“I’m grateful that this chapter has efficiently come to an in depth and is now one thing I can now put behind me,” Abdul mentioned in a press release Friday. “This has been an extended and hard-fought private battle. I hope my expertise can serve to encourage different ladies, dealing with related struggles, to beat their very own challenges with dignity and respect, in order that they can also flip the web page and start a brand new chapter of their lives.”

The courtroom submitting mentioned the settlement was unconditional, however didn’t reveal the phrases, and Abdul’s lawyer Melissa Eubanks mentioned she couldn’t touch upon them.

An electronic mail looking for remark from attorneys for Lythgoe was not instantly answered.

The lawsuit filed almost a yr in the past had additionally accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and have become a decide on Lythgoe’s different competitors present, “So You Assume You Can Dance.”

Lythgoe mentioned on the time that he was “shocked and saddened” by the allegations, which he referred to as “an appalling smear.”

After different lawsuits have been filed alleging sexual misconduct, Lythgoe stepped down in January from his position as a decide on “So You Assume You Can Dance.”

The 75-year-old English-born producer has been a distinguished TV producer for many years in each the U.Ok. and the U.S., engaged on actuality competitors reveals together with “American Idol.”

The Related Press usually doesn’t establish alleged victims of sexual assault except they arrive ahead publicly, as Abdul has executed.

Abdul, a Grammy and Emmy-winning singer and dancer, mentioned within the lawsuit that she remained silent for years concerning the alleged assaults out of worry of retaliation by “probably the most well-known producers of tv competitors reveals.”

She alleged that the primary sexual assault occurred whereas Abdul and Lythgoe have been on the street filming auditions for an early season of “American Idol,” which premiered in 2002.

Abdul says Lythgoe groped her within the elevator of their lodge after a day of filming and “started shoving his tongue down her throat.” Abdul pushed him away and ran to her lodge room when the elevator doorways opened.

“In tears, Abdul shortly referred to as certainly one of her representatives to tell them of the assault,” the lawsuit says, “however finally determined to not take motion for worry that Lythgoe would have her fired.”

Abdul starred as a decide for the primary eight seasons, leaving in 2009.

In 2015, Abdul turned a decide on “So You Assume You Can Dance,” showing alongside Lythgoe.

Round that point, Abdul alleged within the lawsuit, Lythgoe compelled himself on prime of her throughout a dinner at his house and tried to kiss her. Abdul mentioned she once more pushed Lythgoe away and instantly left.

Abdul left that actuality present after two seasons. She has not labored with Lythgoe since.

In a press release on the time of the go well with, Lythgoe mentioned “Whereas Paula’s historical past of erratic conduct is well-known, I can not fake to know precisely why she would file a lawsuit that she should know is unfaithful.”