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Paula Abdul Settles Sexual Assault Suit With ‘American Idol,’ Sets Trial With Nigel Lythgoe

Paula Abdul settled her sexual assault lawsuit against 'American Idol' and 'So You Think You Can Dance' and will head to trial against Nigel Lythgoe.

“The parties went to mediation, and the corporate defendants settled out,” Abdul’s lawyer Douglas L. Johnson told a judge at a Tuesday morning hearing in Los Angeles. “The one remaining defendant left in the case is Nigel Lythgoe.” Lythgoe’s lawyer did not object to Johnson’s request for a trial date, which is currently scheduled for July 28, 2025. Abdul filed her explosive lawsuit in December, alleging Lythgoe sexually harassed and assaulted her multiple times while she was hosting the shows.

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