Nigel Lythgoe Accused of 2016 Sexual Assault in Car, New Suit Claims

Nigel Lythgoe has been accused of  forcibly touching a woman in the back of a car in 2016, according to the Hollywood Reporter. This is the third time in two months that the former American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance producer has been accused of sexual assault.

In a new lawsuit filed Saturday in Los Angeles Superior Court, a Jane Doe accuser claimed Lythgoe “insisted” on driving her home after they met at a Beverly Hills hotel. Over the course of at least 10 minutes, the complaint alleges the plaintiff attempted to push Lythgoe away but that he continued to “fondle her breasts, and kiss her,” and that he “even shoved his hand up Plaintiff’s skirt and penetrated her genitalia.” Despite allegedly telling the driver how to get to her apartment, the suit claims the driver took a longer route. The new complaint brings claims for sexual battery, gender violence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Lythgoe and seeks an unspecified amount in damages.

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“It is troubling to hear of yet another alleged incident of a woman being taken advantage of and abused by a prominent public figure,” said Melissa Eubanks, the Jane Doe’s attorney who also represents Paula Abdul in her separate suit against Lythgoe, in a statement to THR.

Marina Beck, an attorney for Nigel Lythgoe, claimed in a statement to Rolling Stone that the “incident never occurred.” Beck added, “The easily verifiable facts are that Nigel was at a public event, with his then-girlfriend, miles from Beverly Hills on the night in question, as numerous witnesses will confirm. We look forward to the prompt dismissal of this frivolous lawsuit.”

Abdul sued Lythgoe, along with the American Idol and SYTYCD production companies, last month, alleging that the producer sexually assaulted her multiple times while she was hosting the shows. Days later, two anonymous Jane Doe accusers filed a lawsuit claiming Lythgoe forced himself on them while they were participants for the show All American Girl. Lythgoe, co-creator of SYTYCD and executive producer since the show first aired in 2005, stepped down from his post following the initial two lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault.

It was later announced that JoJo Siwa, who served as a judge on the show’s 17th season in 2022, would be replacing Lythgoe and returning as a judge for the upcoming season of SYTYCD.

This article was updated at 9:55 p.m. E.T. on Feb 22 to include a statement from Marina Beck, an attorney for Nigel Lythgoe.

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