Paula Abdul says she can produce text messages that illustrate the unwanted sexual advances Nigel Lythgoe made toward her during a time she was working on shows he produced.
Abdul’s lawyer Melissa Eubanks said that Lythgoe, 74, had been ‘victim-shaming’ the Grammy-winning singer, 61, in an effort to denigrate the sexually assault lawsuit she filed against him late last year.
Lawsuits Coming in Thick And Fast Against Him
The latest statement from Abdul’s camp comes after reports Lythgoe was recently sued by a separate woman who accuses Lythgoe of sexual assaulting her at his home in 2018.
Court Heard
Abdul’s team said they have a text message from Lythgoe dated March 8, 2014 that read, ‘When you get back to LA will you please make love to me! Slowly and lovingly!’
Abdul did not respond to the message, according to Eubanks, and Lythgoe then said to her, ‘I’ll take that as a YES then!’
Abdul’s legal team said that in an April, 10, 2014 text message, Lythgoe sent a message to Abdul about ongoing auditions in Las Vegas for So You Think You Can Dance.
Contents of The Alleged Message
They said he wrote to her, ‘I’ll come if you promise a big wet kiss! With tongues! Is a small grope of the a** asking too much?’
In a July 2014 text from Lythgoe, Abdul’s legal team said that he ‘acknowledged’ his conduct was ‘inappropriate.’
He allegedly wrote to her, ‘You love me like a relation I love you like a girlfriend. I could easily be your f****** cousin? Ha Ha.’
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Lythgoe Counters Abdul’s Claim
Lythgoe in a response to the suit submit to the court email communications with Abdul depicting ‘a friendly and loving vibe’ in the timeframe after the alleged assault occurred.
Eubanks said that the legal response from Lythgoe and his team didn’t acknowledge ‘the power dynamic in their relationship,’ as Lythgoe was essentially her boss.
‘He held the cards to her career in his hand and he knew it,’ Eubanks said.
Eubanks said that Abdul, who appeared on American Idol from 2002-2009, employed ‘defenses that many women like Ms. Abdul had to adopt to deal with men who abuse their power’ in providing Lythgoe with ‘positive messaging and seeming adoration.’
