Paula Abdul Speaks Out After Settling Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Nigel Lythgoe

Paula Abdul has reached a settlement in her sexual assault lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe.

The “Straight Up” singer sued the 75-year-old TV producer and accused him of sexual assault and verbal abuse while they worked together on American Idol. The pair also worked together as judges on So You Think You Can Dance, and a joint interview they gave promoting the show in 2015 resurfaced following her allegations.

At the beginning of this year, Paula responded to Nigel‘s attempts to have the lawsuit dismissed and she provided some alleged receipts.

There was a trial date set for August 2025, but that is expected to be vacated now that a settlement has been reached.

Paula is speaking out amid the news.

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“I am grateful that this chapter has successfully come to a close and is now something I can now put behind me,” Paula told People. “This has been a long and hard-fought personal battle. I hope my experience can serve to inspire other women, facing similar struggles, to overcome their own challenges with dignity and respect, so that they too can turn the page and begin a new chapter of their lives.”

Earlier in the fall, Paula sadly canceled her concert tour.