Paula Abdul and Nigel Lythgoe used to work togther, but now, the former has accused the television executive of sexual assault.
In response, Lythgoe slammed the singer for her "baseless" claims and even accused her of "character assassination."
According to legal documents obtained by Radar Online, the 74-year-old TV and film producer is demanding a jury trial to fight the singer's sexual assault accusation. He filed the court documents earlier this week.
In the papers, Lythgoe labeled Abdul's claims as "purely fictional," adding that the singer made the allegations that "amount to an unjustified and baseless character assassination, with careless disregard for the statutory authority making these allegations untimely."
American Idol Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe poses with the judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul are seated infront of the stage at the American Idol Finale: Results Show held at the Kodak Theatre on May 25, 2005 in Hollywood, California.
He further alleged that the "Opposites Attract" hitmaker didn't provide any "substantiating evidence" to back up her claims.
Lythgoe continued defending himself, saying that after the dates in which she claimed she was sexually harassed, they went on to work professionally on "several new venture" and remained "personal friends."
Ultimately, the embattled TV executive vowed to "prove the falsity of these allegations" and Abdul's "improper motives" for bringing them up if he's given the chance to appear in court.
Paula Abdul Accuses Nigel Lythgoe of Sexual Assault
As reported by Variety, Paula Abdul alleged in a lawsuit that Nigel Lythgoe sexually assaulted one during the early seasons of American Idol, in which she was a judge and the other one in an elevator.
She claimed in the lawsuit that the So You Think You Can Dance executive producer shoved her against a wall, groped her breasts and private parts, and even shoved his tongue down her throat.
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In the alleged incident, Abdul alleged that she attempted to push him away upon doing those acts, and she ran to her room as soon as the hotel door opened.
In addition, there was another alleged incident in which Lythgoe invited her to his home for dinner. Abdul reportedly agreed to come as she thought it would be a professional meeting, but the TV executive allegedly forced himself on top of her while she was sitting on a couch.
Nigel Lythgoe Denied the Allegations
After the lawsuit was filed, Lythgoe denied the claims, saying he was shocked and saddened by the allegations made against him. He noted that he and Abdul have worked professionally and had a platonic relationship for over two decades.
Abdul wasn't the only one who filed a lawsuit against Lythgoe, as two contestants from All American Girl also alleged similar encounters.
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