Nigel Lythgoe is formally exiting his function as a decide on So You Suppose You Can Dance within the wake of his a number of sexual assault lawsuits.
“I’ve knowledgeable the producers of So You Suppose You Can Dance of my resolution to step again from collaborating on this 12 months’s collection,” Lythgoe, 74, introduced in an announcement to Selection on Friday, January 5. “I did so with a heavy coronary heart however completely voluntarily as a result of this nice program has at all times been about dance and dancers, and that’s the place its focus wants to stay. Within the meantime, I’m dedicating myself to clearing my identify and restoring my status.”
Lythgoe’s announcement comes two months earlier than the season 18 premiere of SYTYCD, which is able to function Allison Holker and Maksim Chmerkovskiy as judges. Fox and Sony Footage Tv’s 19 Leisure confirmed in a separate assertion to Selection that “No resolution has been made as to the substitute decide for this season.”
Us Weekly confirmed late final month that Lythgoe, who served as a decide on SYTYCD since its premiere in 2005, was accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed by Paula Abdul. In court docket paperwork obtained by Rolling Stone, Abdul, 61, claimed that Lythgoe assaulted her a number of instances over time whereas working collectively on American Idol and SYTYCD.
Whereas Hollywood might seem like all glitz and glam on the floor, the business has seen its justifiable share of scandals by the years. The New York Occasions and the New Yorker first revealed investigative items in 2017 that accused disgruntled film producer Harvey Weinstein of many years of sexual assault and harassment. Quickly after, Weinstein stood trial and was […]
Amongst her many accusations, Abdul alleged that Lythgoe “verbally insulted and belittled” her previous to taking her American Idol gig and that he continued to bully her throughout her time on the singing competitors collection. She additionally claimed Lythgoe sexually assaulted her in a resort elevator whereas touring for American Idol auditions, although she didn’t specify when the alleged incident occurred.
“Abdul tried to push Lythgoe away from her. When the doorways to the elevator for her door opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her resort room,” the pop star’s court docket paperwork state. “Abdul rapidly referred to as one in all her representatives in tears to tell them of the assault.”
Lythgoe, for his half, denied Abdul’s accusations. “To say that I’m shocked and saddened by the allegations made in opposition to me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement,” he stated in a Saturday, December 30, 2023, assertion to Us. “For greater than 20 years, Paula and I’ve interacted as pricey — and fully platonic — pals and colleagues. Yesterday, nevertheless, out of the blue, I discovered of those claims within the press and I wish to be clear: not solely are they false, they’re deeply offensive to me and to every part I stand for.”
Serving to to seek out America’s favourite dancer! When So You Suppose You Can Dance debuted on FOX in 2005, a panel of dance specialists and fanatics had been tapped to hunt out the perfect up-and-coming performers. Nigel Lythgoe, who cocreated the dance competitors collection alongside Simon Fuller, served as one of many longtime judges since the season 1 premiere. Nonetheless, […]
He continued, “Whereas Paula’s historical past of erratic conduct is well-known, I can’t fake to know precisely why she would file a lawsuit that she should know is unfaithful. However I can promise that I’ll struggle this appalling smear with every part I’ve.” (He didn’t elaborate on what he meant by “erratic conduct” on the time.)
Lythgoe was hit with one other sexual assault lawsuit earlier this week. Based on a number of retailers, two former contestants of the 2003 competitors present All American Lady claimed that Lythgoe drove them to a Los Angeles home, relatively than to a studio to satisfy up with others who labored on the collection, after the present had wrapped. It was there one of many constants claimed Lythgoe forcefully tried to kiss her and positioned his tongue on her face. The lawsuit reportedly claims the England native groped and smacked the rear ends of a number of All American Lady contestants whereas filming.
