Paula Abdul settles lawsuit that alleged sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe

Paula Abdul and former "American Idol" producer Nigel Lithgow have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which Abdul alleged Lithgow sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s while she was a judge on the show. .

Paula Abdul filed a notice of settlement in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday. The settlement still needs to be approved by a judge. Emails sent to lawyers for both sides for comment have not yet been answered.

The lawsuit, filed nearly a year ago, also accused Lithgow of sexually assaulting Abdul after he left "American Idol" and when he became a judge on Lithgow's other show, "So You Think You Can Dance." .

Lithgow said at the time that he was "shocked and saddened" by the allegations, calling them a "terrible slander."

Lithgow stepped down from her role as a judge on "So You Think You Can Dance" in January after other sexual misconduct allegations surfaced.

The 75-year-old English producer has been a television personality for decades in both the UK and the US, working on reality competition shows such as 'American Idol'.

The Associated Press doesn't usually release the names of sexual assault victims unless they speak out, like Paula Abdul.

news source