Paula Abdul settles sexual assault lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe

Paula Abdul has dropped her sexual assault lawsuit against former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe.

A year after filing 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 a statement on Friday, Abdul expressed relief, saying, “I am grateful that this chapter has successfully come to a close and is now something I can now put behind me… I hope my experience can serve to inspire other women… to overcome their own challenges with dignity and respect.”

Lythgoe, who denied the allegations, shared his own relief over the case’s resolution, stating, “We live in a troubling time where a person is now automatically assumed to be guilty until proven innocent… I know the truth and that gives me great comfort.”

Abdul’s lawsuit, filed nearly a year ago, accused Lythgoe of assaulting her during an American Idol audition tour and again while filming So You Think You Can Dance years later. Lythgoe previously dismissed the claims as “an appalling smear.”

The terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, but the case has spotlighted troubling allegations within the entertainment industry. Abdul, a Grammy and Emmy winner, said she feared retaliation for years, staying silent despite her accusations of groping and other misconduct.

As for Lythgoe, 75, he stepped down from So You Think You Can Dance in January amid other misconduct allegations.