Nigel Lythgoe has been accused of sexual assault in another lawsuit.
Nigel Lythgoe has been hit with another lawsuit
The 'So You Think You Can Dance' creator was sued by Paula Abdul in December over two separate incidents of alleged sexual assault, which was followed by two unnamed reality show contestants alleging that he made unwanted sexual advances and groped them inside his Los Angeles home in 2003, and now the 74-year-old producer has been accused of forcibly touching a woman in 2016.
According to a suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court last weekend and obtained by the Hollywood Reporter, Lythgoe met the producer at a Beverly Hills hotel and he "insisted" on driving her home, before allegedly assaulting her in his car over the course of at least 10 minutes.
The suite alleged: “Plaintiff tried to push Lythgoe away from her and instruct Lythgoe’s driver how to return to her house, but Lythgoe continued to grab at Plaintiff, fondle her breasts, and kiss her.
“Lythgoe even shoved his hand up Plaintiff’s skirt and penetrated her genitalia.”
The alleged victim claimed the producer eventually relented once his driver arrived at her apartment after taking an unexpecedly long route.
The woman is suing for sexual battery, gender violence and intentional infliction of emotional distress and claims she has continued to suffer severe mental anguish due to the incident. She is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.
A lawyer for the plaintiff, Melissa Eubanks - who is also representing Paula - said in a statement: “It is troubling to hear of yet another alleged incident of a woman being taken advantage of and abused by a prominent public figure."
Paula has alleged that Nigel assaulted her in the early 2000s, during an early season of 'American Idol' and again during her tenure on 'So You Think You Can Dance', and is suing for sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender violence and negligence.
She also alleged he sexually assaulted her assistant, too and was "the target of constant taunts, bullying, humiliation and harassment".
Shortly after her suit was made public, multiple news outlets also obtained another legal filing, in which two anonymous women claimed they were sexually assaulted on short-lived competition series 'All American Girl' in 2003.
In the wake of the allegations, Lythgoe stepped down as a judge on 'So You Think You Can Dance'.
He said in a statement: "I have informed the producers of 'So You Think You Can Dance' of my decision to step back from participating in this year’s series.
“I did so with a heavy heart but entirely voluntarily because this great programme has always been about dance and dancers, and that’s where its focus needs to remain. In the meantime, I am dedicating myself to clearing my name and restoring my reputation.”
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