It's a total war between Paula Abdoul and former executive producer of “American Idol” Nigel Lythgoe …and now she's producing alleged texts from him, which she says show some of the ways he sexually harassed her.
Paula's lawyer, Melissa Eubankstells TMZ… Nigel shames Paula and chooses years of communication between them as he tries to discredit the allegations she made against him in her sexual assault trial in December.
As we first told you, Nigel's legal response Paula's lawsuit included alleged emails she sent to him… Nigel claiming the emails gave off a friendly and loving vibe between them… after the time Paula alleged he sexually assaulted her.
Now Paula is fighting back… as her lawyer says, Nigel's response fails to appreciate the power dynamic in their relationship, where Lythgoe was a powerful executive/his boss and Paula worked under him as a judge in the reality shows he produced.
Abdul's lawyer says… “He held the cards for his career in his hands and he knew it.” The lawyer also goes on to call Nigel's tactics classic victim shaming.
Additionally, Paula's legal team claims that the emails Nigel references in his documents were just Paula placating his ego with “positive messages and apparent adoration… defenses that many women like Ms. Abdul have had to adopt to confront men who abuse their power. “
Paula also claims to have receipts from Nigel… claiming she received text messages from him showing numerous instances of overt sexual harassment.
Abdul's camp claims Nigel texted him on March 8, 2014, writing… “When you come back to LA, will you make love to me! Slow and loving!” Paula said she didn't respond and Nigel double messaged: “I'll take that as a YES then!”
Another alleged text, from April 10, 2014, is a response to a message Paula sent to Nigel about the “So You Think You Can Dance” auditions in Las Vegas… to which Nigel allegedly replied: “I'll come if you promise a big wet kiss! With tongues! Is a little ass groping asking for too much?”
A few months later, in July 2014, Paula claims Nigel admitted he had been inappropriate when he allegedly texted her… “You love me like a relationship, I love you like a girlfriend. I could easily be your fucking *****.* cousin? Ha Ha.”
Remember… Paula claims Nigel sexually assaulted her twice – the first time during “one of the first sessions of Idol” in the early 2000s, and again at some point during his 2 seasons on “SYTYCD”… a gig she started in. 2015.
Paula's lawyer also claims that Nigel also verbally abused Adbul on several occasions… which she says “is evidence of the frequent abusive behavior to which Ms. Abdul was subjected during her time in prison.” American idol And SYTYCD“.
Nigel's team did not respond to our request for comment.