Less than three months after Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit against So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, she's calling him out for behavior that she says is ""victim-shaming." Earlier this week, Nigel shut down Paula's claims, calling them "despicable, intolerable and life-changing," and now, she's fighting back — and this time, it looks like she's bringing the receipts.
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Paula originally filed the suit in December 2023.
In court documents she filed with Los Angeles County Superior Court, Paula accused Nigel sexually assaulting her on two separate occasions, starting in the early 2000s when she was a judge on American Idol.
She is also accusing him of bullying and of sexually assaulting her assistant.
Now, Nigel is denying her claims.
According to documents obtained by People this week, Nigel has formally denied the allegations, calling them "pure fiction" and the "worst form of character assassination," and he included social media posts and emails made by Paula during the time they worked together to show "how she really felt" about him.
"Lythgoe did not harass, bully, or sexually abuse Abdul," read the paperwork.
He asked the courts to dismiss her suit.
Not only that, but he's also asking that Paula pay the legal fees he's incurred as a result of her filing the lawsuit and that if the court finds it appropriate that he be awarded "further relief."
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Paula is fighting back.
In a statement from her lawyer, Melissa Eubanks, that was shared with People, they called his response "classic victim shaming."
"He was a producer on American Idol and SYTYCD and she was the talent," the statement read. "He held the cards to her career in his hand and he knew it. It thus is no surprise that Ms. Abdul placated to his ego with positive messaging and seeming adoration. These are the defenses that many women like Ms. Abdul had to adopt to deal with men who abuse their power."
Paula has the receipts to back it up.
Her attorney shared with RadarOnline.com some of the messages between Paula and Nigel that show a pattern of abuse.
One text message Nigel allegedly sent in 2014 said, "When you get back to LA will you please make love to me! Slowly and lovingly!" Paula didn't reply, so he wrote, "I’ll take that as a YES then!"
That same year, he told her that he would come to SYTYCD auditions if she could "promise a big wet kiss! With tongues."
So far, Nigel has yet to respond to the latest round of accusations.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, the National Sexual Assault Hotline provides confidential 24/7 support. Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online at RAINN.
