Nigel Lythgoe Exits ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ – The Hollywood Reporter

Nigel Lythgoe is leaving his on-camera and behind the scenes duties on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dancing following a sexual offense claim submitted by previous SYTYCD and American Idolizer court Paula Abdul.

Lythgoe, that likewise co-created the long-running dancing collection with Simon Richer, claimed in a declaration that he’s tipping apart “voluntarily” in advance of the SYTYCD’s 18th period, which is slated to start March 4 on Fox. Lythgoe will certainly not be attributed as an exec manufacturer on the upcoming period.

“I have informed the producers of So You Think You Can Dance of my decision to step back from participating in this year’s series,” the declaration checks out.“I did so with a heavy heart but entirely voluntarily because this great program has always been about dance and dancers, and that’s where its focus needs to remain. In the meantime, I am dedicating myself to clearing my name and restoring my reputation.”

Fox and SYTYCD manufacturers 19 Home entertainment and Cock Clark Productions claimed in a different declaration,“19 Entertainment, Dick Clark Productions, and Fox can confirm the upcoming season of So You Think You Can Dance will proceed, although without Nigel Lythgoe, to ensure the show remains committed to the contestants, who have worked incredibly hard for the opportunity to compete on our stage. No decision has been made as to a replacement judge for this season.”

Abdul’s match, submitted on Dec. 29, declares that Lythgoe, an exec manufacturer of American Idolizer for the majority of its work on Fox, “verbally insulted and belittled” her throughout a conference with Idolizer execs and manufacturers before the program’s 2002 launching. Wishing it was “a one-time event,” she took the work, yet at some time throughout the very early periods of the vocal singing competitors, Abdul affirms that Lythgoe searched and kissed her in a resort lift. (Idolizer currently broadcasts on ABC; Lythgoe is no more with the program.)

After that throughout her 2 periods as a So You Think You Can Dancing court in 2015 and 2016, Abdul’s match cases Lythgoe once again attacked her throughout a supper at his home: “Lythgoe forced himself on top of Abdul while she was seated on his couch and attempted to kiss her while proclaiming that the two would make an excellent ‘power couple.’” In both situations, Abdul claimed she did not report the supposed attacks to authorities for worry of revenge that might damage her job.

Lythgoe has actually rejected the claims in Abdul’s claim, stating in a declaration that“To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement. For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear — and entirely platonic — friends and colleagues. … Out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear: not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for.”

Sony-owned 19 Home entertainment has actually likewise started exploring cases versusLythgoe