Entertainment

Paula Abdul Sues ‘American Idol’ Producer Nigel Lythgoe for Sexual Assault on December 30, 2023 at 2:58 pm Us Weekly

Published

1 year ago

December 30, 2023

Paula Abdul has named reality TV producer Nigel Lythgoe in a new lawsuit, accusing him of sexual assault, Us Weekly can confirm.

Abdul, 61, claimed that Lythgoe, 74, assaulted her multiple times back when she was a judge on both American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, according to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone. Abdul filed her lawsuit on Friday, December 29. (Lythgoe has not publicly addressed Abdul’s allegations. Us has reached out to both Lythgoe and Abdul for comment.)

Abdul was a judge on American Idol for its first eight seasons, beginning in 2002. Lythgoe, meanwhile, was a producer on the singing competition until 2014. According to Abdul’s lawsuit, she claimed that Lythgoe “verbally insulted and belittled” her and called her a “has-been” when they first met about her signing on as a judge. She also claimed that Lythgoe bullied her after she took the judging gig.

Abdul also alleged that Lythgoe sexually assaulted her in the elevator of a hotel room when they were traveling for auditions on one of the “initial seasons” of Idol. Abdul did not list a specific year of the encounter but claimed that Lythgoe “shoved [her] against the wall” and groped her body.

Paula Abdul and Nigel Lythgoe. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

“Abdul attempted to push Lythgoe away from her. When the doors to the elevator for her door opened, Abdul ran out of the elevator and to her hotel room,” the court documents read. “Abdul quickly called one of her representatives in tears to inform them of the assault.”

Abdul chose not to address the accusations at the time out of fear of retaliation, claiming in her lawsuit that Lythgoe had the power to fire her from American Idol.

Several years later, Abdul claimed that Lythgoe assaulted her for a second time in 2014. She claimed that Lythgoe had invited her to his house for a professional dinner meeting, where he allegedly “forced himself on top of [her]” and “attempted to kiss her.”

“Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not interested in his advances and immediately left,” the suit reads, noting Abdul chose not to publicly discuss the alleged incident due to her contracts.

Paula Abdul and Nigel Lythgoe. Steve Granitz/WireImage

Abdul, who briefly joined the So You Think You Can Dance judging panel in 2014 alongside Lythgoe, claimed in her legal filing that her contracts from both Idol and SYTYCD “prohibited [her] from publicly disclosing sensitive information” about the shows and its business affairs.

During her time on So You Think You Can Dance, Abdul also allegedly witnessed Lythgoe sexually assault one of her assistants without consent. Lythgoe has not publicly addressed the claims.

Abdul filed her lawsuit, in which she is seeking damages for sexual assault/battery, sexual harassment, gender violence and negligence, in Los Angeles under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which allowed victims a one-year window to file sexual abuse lawsuits that would otherwise be outside the statute of limitations. The deadline expires on Sunday, December 31.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Paula Abdul has named reality TV producer Nigel Lythgoe in a new lawsuit, accusing him of sexual assault, Us Weekly can confirm. Abdul, 61, claimed that Lythgoe, 74, assaulted her multiple times back when she was a judge on both American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, according to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone.

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Entertainment

The Rising Trend of Immigrant-Driven Police Car Destruction

Published

4 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Recent events have highlighted a concerning trend of police vehicle damage and theft during immigration-related protests. On February 3, 2025, a demonstration against federal immigration policies in Arizona’s West Valley turned violent, resulting in significant property damage and a brazen act of police vehicle theft.

Escalation of Protests

The protest, which began peacefully, escalated as the crowd grew to approximately 1,000 people. By 7:30 PM, demonstrators had taken over the intersection of 67th Avenue and Camelback Road, setting off fireworks and engaging in unruly behavior. As the situation deteriorated, some protesters began throwing rocks, concrete chunks, and glass bottles at officers.

Police Vehicle Theft and Damage

In a shocking turn of events, one protester managed to steal a police patrol vehicle. According to a Glendale Police spokesperson, the suspect “jumped into one of our patrol vehicles and drove it a short distance before it was quickly recovered”. This incident underscores the heightened tensions and bold actions taken by some demonstrators.

The damage was not limited to this single act of theft. Five marked patrol vehicles sustained significant damage, including:

Broken windows
Slashed tires
Body and hood dents

Wider Impact and Response

The unrest spread beyond law enforcement targets. Multiple civilian vehicles and area businesses also suffered damage, and a large storage container behind a business complex was set on fire. To regain control of the situation, authorities deployed chemical agents around 10:15 PM to disperse what they termed an “unlawful assembly”.

Context of Immigration Tensions

This incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement efforts by the Trump administration. Recent directives have led to an aggressive increase in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with officials aiming to detain 1,200 to 1,500 individuals daily. This policy shift has sparked protests in multiple cities across the United States, including Los Angeles, Houston, and Atlanta.

Conclusion

The theft and destruction of police vehicles during immigration protests represent a troubling escalation in civil unrest. While the majority of demonstrators express their views peacefully, these incidents highlight the potential for violence and property damage when tensions run high. Law enforcement agencies and community leaders face the challenge of balancing public safety with the right to protest as the debate over immigration policies continues to intensify.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

Entertainment

Beyoncé Rewrites Grammy History

Published

13 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Historic Achievements

First Black woman to win Album of the Year in the 21st century
First Black woman to win a country music award since the Pointer Sisters in 1974, winning Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter

Emotional Moment
During her Album of the Year acceptance speech, Beyoncé was initially frozen in place until her daughter Blue Ivy nudged her to approach the stage. She dedicated the award to Linda Martell, the pioneering Black country artist, saying, “I hope we keep pushing forward and opening doors.”

By the Numbers

35-time Grammy Award winner
Nominated for 11 awards this year
Won three awards total, tying with Charli XCX

Notable Quotes
“I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said, thanking the Grammys, songwriters, collaborators, and producers. She also specifically acknowledged the Los Angeles firefighters who were present at the ceremony.

The win was particularly emotional, with fellow artists like Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish visibly moved by her historic achievement.

Entertainment

Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Dominates 2025 Grammys

Published

13 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Kendrick Lamar dominated the 67th Grammy Awards, held on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The rapper swept all five categories he was nominated in, including the prestigious Song of the Year and Record of the Year awards for his track “Not Like Us”.

“Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed at Drake, became the de facto song of 2024 when it was released in May, topping the Billboard singles charts. The song’s success at the Grammys further solidified Lamar’s position in his long-standing rivalry with Drake, with the track winning awards for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video during the Premiere Ceremony.

Lamar’s acceptance speeches were notable for their focus on Los Angeles and its recovery efforts. During his acceptance for Record of the Year, he acknowledged various neighborhoods in Los Angeles and emphasized the ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. This aligned with the Grammy’s overall theme this year, which included raising funds for wildfire relief in the Los Angeles area.

The rapper’s victories come at a significant time in his career. Having released his album “GNX” in November, Lamar is now set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show next week. His Grammy success has further elevated his status in the hip-hop community and the music industry at large.

Lamar’s wins were not without controversy, however. The track “Not Like Us” is currently involved in a legal dispute initiated by Drake against Universal Music Group. Drake alleges that the label, which represents both him and Lamar, jeopardized his career by promoting the song.

Despite the controversy, Lamar’s clean sweep at the Grammys has cemented his place as one of the most influential and successful artists in contemporary music. His ability to combine critical acclaim with commercial success and cultural impact was on full display at this year’s ceremony.