Former “American Idol” and "So You Think You Can Dance" producer Nigel Lythgoe is facing allegations of sexual assault from Grammy-winning singer Paula Abdul. Abdul, 61, filed a lawsuit on Friday in the Los Angeles County Superior Court under the Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, which allows sexual assault suits to be made even if the statute of limitations has passed. The lawsuit accuses Lythgoe of assaulting Abdul on two separate occasions, one in the early 2000s during the early seasons of “American Idol” and another in 2015 while they were both judges on "So You Think You Can Dance."

According to the lawsuit, Abdul alleges that during one of the initial seasons of "American Idol," Lythgoe forcibly shoved her against the wall of an elevator, grabbed her genitals and breasts, and forcefully kissed her. She managed to push him away and escape when the elevator doors opened. Abdul claims that she reported the incident to one of her representatives but decided not to take action out of fear that Lythgoe would have her fired from the show.

The lawsuit also alleges that Abdul faced discrimination in terms of compensation and benefits compared to her male counterparts on “American Idol” and was subjected to bullying, harassment, and taunting during her time on the show. The lawsuit names 19 Entertainment Inc., FremantleMedia North America Inc., American Idol Productions Inc., and Dance Nation Productions as defendants.

The second alleged assault occurred in 2015 after Abdul signed a contract to appear as a judge on Season 12 of "So You Think You Can Dance." Abdul claims that Lythgoe invited her to his home under the pretense of discussing business opportunities but then forced himself on top of her while she was seated on his couch. She pushed him off and left his home immediately.

Abdul states that she remained silent about the assaults for years out of fear of speaking out against a powerful television producer who could potentially ruin her career. However, she has now decided to come forward in light of the Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act. The lawsuit claims that the alleged incidents caused Abdul severe emotional distress, anxiety, fear, and humiliation.

Lythgoe, who was a main judge on "So You Think You Can Dance" for 16 seasons, has not yet responded to the allegations. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. This case adds to a growing number of high-profile figures facing sexual abuse allegations after the passing of legislation in New York and California that temporarily waives the statute of limitations on such claims.