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Right before the New Year, Paula Abdul sued Nigel Lythgoe, saying he sexually assaulted her on two occasions. Once during American Idol and a second time when she was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance.
Since then, two other women claimed the same in a lawsuit when he was working with them on the show All American Girl in 2003.
19 Entertainment, who produces the Fox dancing competition, launched their own investigation into the EP and judge.
However, Lythgoe did not wait for their decision to make one of his own. “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,” Lythgoe said in a statement to Variety. “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.”
Will the show go on as planned on March 4th? Fox said the show “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.”
When it comes to who will replace him on the 18th season alongside Allison Holker and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Fox has yet to make a decision.
This is not the first time that SYTYCD lost a judge midseason due to allegations. During the 17th season, Matthew Morrison was replaced by Leah Remini when he was accused of having inappropriate conversations with a contestant. He explained the allegations against him on social media.
