Title: “Nigel Lythgoe Faces New Lawsuit for Sexual Assault from ‘All American Girl’ Contestants”
Just days after Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe for sexual assault, the ‘American Idol’ producer is now facing a new lawsuit from two Jane Does who claim he forced himself on them while they were contestants on his 2003 reality game show ‘All American Girl.’
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that Lythgoe openly swatted and groped the two plaintiffs’ buttocks while they were dressed in dance costumes on the show’s set. It goes on to claim that Lythgoe took an “unusual interest” in one of the plaintiffs after a wrap party for the show.
According to the filing, Lythgoe insisted that one of the plaintiffs ride in his personal car from the wrap party back to the studio, and then took them to a home in Los Angeles where he made sexual advances on both of the women. The lawsuit alleges that the women rejected Lythgoe’s advances, but he persisted, attempting to kiss and engage in sexual acts despite their protests.
Attempts to reach a spokesperson for Lythgoe were not immediately successful, but the lawsuit matches the dates and details reported by TMZ. This comes after Abdul’s separate lawsuit, in which she accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting her in a hotel elevator during the early seasons of ‘American Idol.’ Lythgoe has denied Abdul’s allegations, calling them an “appalling smear.”
The new lawsuit filed on Tuesday makes claims of sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, negligence, gender violence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Lythgoe and an unidentified production company. It alleges that Lythgoe’s actions caused the plaintiffs to suffer mental anguish, embarrassment, humiliation, physical and emotional distress, anxiety, and fear.
As these lawsuits continue to develop, the entertainment industry is once again facing the grim reality of sexual assault allegations against powerful figures. It remains to be seen how Lythgoe will respond to these new allegations and how they will impact his career in the future.