Paula Abdul has dropped her sexual assault lawsuit towards former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe.
A 12 months after submitting the lawsuit, the singer and dancer filed her settlement letter in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, December 12, and awaits judicial approval, per Associated Press.
In an announcement on Friday, Abdul expressed aid, saying, “I’m grateful that this chapter has efficiently come to a detailed and is now one thing I can now put behind me… I hope my expertise can serve to encourage different girls… to beat their very own challenges with dignity and respect.”
Lythgoe, who denied the allegations, shared his personal aid over the case’s decision, stating, “We stay in a troubling time the place an individual is now robotically assumed to be responsible till confirmed harmless… I do know the reality and that offers me nice consolation.”
Abdul’s lawsuit, filed almost a 12 months in the past, accused Lythgoe of assaulting her throughout an American Idol audition tour and once more whereas filming So You Think You Can Dance years later. Lythgoe beforehand dismissed the claims as “an appalling smear.”
The phrases of the settlement stay undisclosed, however the case has spotlighted troubling allegations throughout the leisure trade. Abdul, a Grammy and Emmy winner, stated she feared retaliation for years, staying silent regardless of her accusations of groping and different misconduct.
As for Lythgoe, 75, he stepped down from So You Think You Can Dance in January amid different misconduct allegations.
