'Love Is Blind' Renee Poche Forced Me To Match With Violent Addict ... I'm Suing Netflix!!!
"Love is Blind" contestant Renee Poche says the producers behind the Netflix reality show paired her with a walking red flag, and are trying to bankrupt her for speaking out ... so now, she's suing.
Renee, who appears in season five of the popular reality dating show, is going after Netflix and 'LIB' production company Delirium TV ... claiming they matched her with a lying, violent, emotionally unstable drug addict and forced her to spend long stretches alone with him despite her concerns.
According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Renee says her pre-determined match, Carter Wall, was unemployed, addicted to drugs and alcohol, estranged from his family, homeless, violent and dead broke when producers matched them up for the cameras.
In the show, contestants go to separate pods to meet their dates, flirting and conversing through speakers while unable to see the other person. In order to meet in person, two contestants have to first get engaged and then are swept off to a Mexican resort for a vacation before being sent to their hometowns to plan the wedding.
Renee says she initially hit it off with Carter, but claims she later found out he was lying through his teeth and was far from marriage material.
In her suit, Renee says production put her through a rigorous background check and claims Delirium must have known about Carter's "troubling issues" and "mental instability." She says she became terrified to spend time with him but claims producers forced them to film together for long periods.
Renee claims Carter was emotionally abusive on and off camera, heavily abused drugs and alcohol and physically threatened a camera operator in Mexico.
She says producers threatened her with legal action if she did not move forward with the engagement, and when they got to his Texas hometown, producers warned her to ensure Carter had no access to firearms or weapons because they were concerned he would hurt Renee, himself or others.
Renee also claims producers admonished her for not giving Carter a chance and encouraged her to keep filming with him.
Once the show wrapped, Renee says she was informed her relationship with Carter would be axed from the program ... and she claims it's because Carter threatened to commit suicide if the footage aired.
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Renee's since called off the engagement and spoken out about her experience in various podcasts, and she claims Netflix and Delirium are trying to ruin her for going public.
She says Delirium claims she's violating her NDA and is seeking $4 million from her as a result ... despite her earning only $8,000 to be on the show.
Renee says the NDA is actually unlawful though ... and she wants a declaration from the court that the NDA is illegal, invalid and unenforceable ... and she's going after Netflix and Delirium for damages.
We reached out to Netflix and Delirium ... so far no word back.
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T.I. & Tiny Sued Woman Claims Spiked Drink Led to Hotel Sexual Assault
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UPDATE
7:52 AM PT -- T.I. and Tiny Harris tell TMZ ... "On the heels of positivity, negativity always rears its ugly head. This plaintiff has been threatening to file this lawsuit for THREE years. For THREE years, we have emphatically and categorically denied these allegations. For THREE years we have maintained our innocence and refused to pay these extortionate demands for things we didn't do. For THREE years, we've maintained the same position while the claims in this story have changed time and time again. Our position is clear... We are innocent of these fake claims, we will not be shaken down, and we look forward to our day in court."
T.I. and his wife Tiny Harris are accused of drugging a woman they met in a nightclub, and then taking her to their hotel for a threesome ... according to the lawsuit the woman's now filed against the couple.
The plaintiff, who's filed as a Jane Doe, says she was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and stationed in L.A. in or around 2005 when she and a friend went to a party at Coolio's home and met a guy who went by "Caviar" ... who, they allege, worked for T.I. and Tiny.
In the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the plaintiff says T.I. and Tiny no-showed at the party, but "Caviar" told her they would be at an L.A. nightclub the next night, and that's when they all met ... in the VIP section.
The woman says she ordered 2 Amaretto sours on her own, before Tiny allegedly handed her another drink ... one from which she never saw Tiny sip, and which the woman also shared with her friend.
When T.I. decided to leave the club, the woman claims he asked her to ride with Tiny and him ... while her friend would ride with "Caviar," who said they were all going to the same place.
But, that's not how it played out, allegedly ... in the suit, the woman says 2 other women she didn't know got in an SUV with Tiny, T.I. and herself, and all 5 of them ended up in a hotel room -- but Tiny kicked out the other 2 women, because one was flirting too much with T.I.
Once it was just the 3 of them ... she alleges Tiny took her into the bathroom, where she took off both of their clothes and then a naked T.I. joined them and they all got in the shower.
Afterward, she claims she was starting to feel lightheaded and extremely dizzy, and T.I. told her to go to the bed. While he watched some porn, she alleges he handed her massage oil and demanded she give him a rub down. Eventually, Tiny joined them and allegedly pinned the woman on her stomach and began rubbing and grinding her naked body on the plaintiff.
While that was happening, she alleges T.I. penetrated her vagina with his toe, and she told him "no" as she tried to push him away. According to the suit, he got up and said he was going to get a condom -- but the plaintiff says she went to the bathroom to vomit. She claims T.I. mockingly laughed at her and said, "Are you alright? Looks like you in last place."
Shortly thereafter, she says she passed out until the next morning, when a security guard woke her up. She claims her "vagina was in serious pain" -- itching and burning -- but the security guard told she had to go, and escorted her out while T.I. and Tiny were still asleep in the bed.
She is suing the Harrises for sexual battery, assault, negligence and false imprisonment.
BTW, the plaintiff says she's filing the suit now due to California's Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act ... which opened a year-long window for the revival of claims where the statute of limitations would have otherwise run.
A lawyer for T.I. and Tiny tells TMZ ... "Not only are the claims bogus, but they missed the deadline to file the lawsuit."
Originally Published -- 6:30 AM PT
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Utah Jazz Rabbis Forced To Remove Pro-Jewish Signs ... After Interaction With Kyrie
A group of rabbis were forced to put away their pro-Jewish signs at the Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Mavericks game on Monday ... after they claim Kyrie Irving complained to security, and asked the signs be removed.
However, a rep for the NBA superstar tells us that never happened.
Rabbi Avremi Zippel -- a diehard Jazz fan -- says he and his three peers copped courtside seats to the matchup on purpose ... with the intent to send a message to the NBA superstar after his antisemitism controversy from back in October 2022.
During the first quarter, the four rabbis held up signs that said "I'm a Jew and I'm Proud" ... and Irving acknowledged them.
Zippel claims Irving initially said, "Nice, I'm a Jew, too," ... before adding, "Don't gotta bring something like that to the game."
Shortly after the interaction, the rabbi says security came over and told them they had to quit holding up the signs ... citing a policy against having posters in the front row. A second staffer, Zippel claims, later told them it was because Irving complained.
Worth noting -- Zippel told the Salt Lake Tribune the signs were not meant as a political statement ... as they did not mention the war in Israel. He also told the outlet he went over the team's policy several times to make sure they weren't violating any rules.
Despite his research, the Jazz released a statement on the matter ... saying their signs broke the Code of Conduct.
"No matter where someone is in the arena, if a sign becomes distracting or sparks an interaction with a player, we will ask them to remove it," the team stated.
"During an out-of-bounds play in the first quarter of yesterday’s Jazz game against the Dallas Mavericks, there was a group sitting courtside whose signs sparked an interaction with a player that created a distraction and interfered with play of game."
"As the next step in standard security protocol, the fans were asked to take down their signs."
The team also clarified the removal was not due to what the signs said -- claiming, "The part-time employee who told the fans it was the content of the sign that was the problem was incorrect."
"The issue was the disruptive interaction caused by usage of the signs, not the content of the signs."
Zippel isn't buying the Jazz's explanation ... as he thinks the team cited policy in hopes the whole thing would blow over.
This isn't the first time Kyrie has faced critical fans -- last season, a group of fans wore "Fight Antisemitism" shirts during the Brooklyn Nets vs. Indiana Pacers game to protest his comments.
Kyrie and the Mavs have yet to address the situation.
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Kelly Clarkson Ex Allegedly Said ... Ya Ain't Sexy Enough for 'Voice'
Kelly Clarkson claims her ex-husband/former manager told her she wasn't hot enough to appear as a judge on "The Voice" ... even though she eventually got the gig.
The 'Idol' alum reportedly made the allegation about Brandon Blackstock -- who she divorced in 2022 -- to a California labor commissioner in '23 while trying to determine how BB had handled her finances during their relationship, per a court doc obtained by the Post.
According to the outlet, Clarkson gave testimony in which she alleged Blackstock had told her she wouldn't pass as a 'Voice' coach 'cause she didn't have the sex appeal for it.
She reportedly said Blackstock told her NBC was "looking for a more sex symbol type" ... and then allegedly invoked Rihanna's name as a comparison to point out who Kelly did not look like, and which he cited as a reason for not pursuing the coaching gig she wanted.
Kelly had apparently relayed to Blackstock she wanted to join the panel of judges for a while -- but went on to claim Blackstock rebuffed her, arguing back that not only was she not good looking enough for 'TV,' but claiming the network was interested in signing a Black star.
Blackstock reportedly said Kelly and then-judge Blake Shelton were just "too similar." Of course, Kelly did eventually join "The Voice" in 2018 ... and stayed on for several seasons. Blackstock testified that he got Kelly the job in 2017 after going to an NBC exec and threatening that she'd go back to 'Idol' if they didn't sign her ... and when asked what it would take to snag her at NBC, he reportedly said it was going to cost "Blake money."
The allegation comes amid a recent finding by the same CA labor commissioner that Blackstock had overcharged Kelly during their professional relationship -- which coincided with their marriage. TMZ broke the story ... he now owes her $2.6 mil for fees he collected.
That cash also touched on this 'Voice' drama ... where the labor commission found he'd overcharged her about $1.98 million in booking the gig. Blackstock has vowed to appeal.
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Gypsy Rose Blanchard My Hubby Gets It On Every Night ... So Take That, Haters!!!
Gypsy Rose Blanchard is coming to the defense of her hubby Ryan Scott Anderson, calling out all of his detractors for being jealous the two are having hot sex every night.
The recently released state prisoner and pop culture sensation commented Tuesday night on Ryan’s previous X post, explaining, at first, the couple are madly in love and her man should not pay any attention to his critics.
Gypsy then said they don't owe anyone a damn thing and their families are the only ones who matter.
She also gave Ryan some advice on how to navigate the often-treacherous social media landscape, telling him not to get caught up in the disgusting comments people post.
Then Gypsy came to her main point about her husband's haters, saying, "besides they jealous because you are rocking my world every night…yeah I said it, the D is fire🔥 happy wife happy life❤️"
Whoa! Sounds like Gypsy is catching up on some much-needed sex after missing out for years while she was incarcerated.
Ryan responded to her message, saying, "Who said I gave a damn about what these jealous people say anyway, haha...now come get it Baby..."
12/28/23
As we first reported ... Gypsy was released on parole last Thursday from Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri. She served 7 years of her ten-year sentence following her 2016 conviction for her role in the murder of her demented mother, Dee Dee.
Dee Dee was accused of forcing Gypsy to pretend to be disabled in a wheelchair with a feeding tube for years. Gypsy convinced her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, to fatally stab her abusive mother. The two were arrested for Dee Dee's murder, and Godejohn is serving a life term.
Ryan, a Louisiana teacher, first wrote a letter to Gypsy in 2020 while she was incarcerated, marrying her two years later.
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Marvel Actress Carrie Bernans New Video Shows Brutal NYE Car Crash
New video has emerged, showing just how dangerous the situation was that sent Marvel actress Carrie Bernans to the hospital on New Year's Eve ... as a reckless driver plows through pedestrians and a food truck.
The terrifying wreck happened in Midtown early Monday morning, near Madison Square Garden -- you see a black Mercedes whip around before flooring it toward cops and a food cart, while people scream in fear.
The smashed cart ends up on top of a woman -- though it doesn't appear to be Carrie -- as bystanders try to pull her out from under it. Unphased, the reckless driver continues down the street before the chase eventually comes to an end.
As we reported, the "Black Panther" star's mom, Patricia, has been updating fans about her daughter's condition ... showing a photo of Carrie hooked up to machines in the hospital after the gruesome ordeal.
Patricia said Carrie was with a friend and stopped at a food truck before the car took it down, knocking her unconscious and pinning her underneath. It's unclear when during the ordeal Carrie was struck.
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The actress ended up undergoing surgery after her serious injuries, which included chipped teeth and broken bones ... and her family has been asking for thoughts and prayers while Carrie continues on the road to recovery.
44-year-old driver Mohamed Alaouie has been charged with attempted murder after what went down -- with 3 NYPD officers among the 9 others who were injured, including Carrie.
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Creepy Attempted Kidnapping Video Florida Man Tries to Snatch 4-Year-Old Boy
A would-be child abductor tried to snatch a 4-year-old boy from a Walmart in Florida – but, thankfully, the kid's family stepped in and foiled the act, leading to the suspect's arrest with the help of high-tech crime-solving tools.
Pablo Pintueles Hernandez was busted December 29 in Lee County and charged with false imprisonment of a child 13 years old and under – as newly released surveillance footage captured the creep allegedly attempting to steal the boy from his family.
Check out the frightening clip ... the little boy is standing next to a family member wheeling a cart inside the store when, suddenly, Hernandez appears, coming up beside the child and grabbing his wrist. Hernandez tells the boy, "Let's go," while trying to whisk him away.
But the family member sees what's happening and promptly steps in, yanking the boy back from Hernandez and notifying the police.
Investigators reviewed the surveillance footage, using advanced technology to quickly identify Hernandez, and showed up at his house one hour later to haul him away in handcuffs.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno issued this statement, "What this criminal did is incredibly disturbing. I never want anyone in Lee County to feel unsafe, especially going on a simple shopping trip. My team will stop at NOTHING to ensure criminals like this face the consequences of their actions."
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CHRISTINA AGUILERA SHOWS OFF 40 LB. WEIGHT LOSS ... Viva Las Vegas!!!
Christina Aguilera was a sight to behold during the opening night of her Las Vegas residency -- showing off an incredible 40 lb. weight loss.
The singer belted out her catalog of hits Saturday from The Voltaire at The Venetian, Xtina's strong and slender figure was front and center in a series of tight leotards and thigh-high boots.
After years of scrutiny for her fluctuating weight, XTINA's maintaining a healthy physique ... previously admitting she hated being skinny and loved her booty.
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She's clearly now found the secret to maintaining those curves ... and says it's helped with a balanced diet and dedicating herself to boxing, strength training and cardio workouts.
It wasn't all smooth sailing though ... she restricted her daily food intake to 1600 calories on the Rainbow Diet after welcoming her son Max in 2008.
However, in a turn in 2020, she said she was dunzo with dieting ... focusing on clean eating and consuming fewer sugary snacks.
No doubt, her high-energy residency performances will also help keep her in shape.
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Madison Cawthorn I Loved Getting Roasted By Chappelle
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Dave Chappelle takes aim at people with disabilities in his new comedy special ... and one of his targets, Madison Cawthorn, says it's kosher ... and funny!!!
The former Congressman tells TMZ ... he loved being roasted by Dave, and the jokes about him being confined to a wheelchair were fair game because he's a public figure.
In Dave's new Netflix special 'The Dreamer,' he jokes about a time he met the former Rep. from North Carolina, saying ... "I just walked away. I wanted him to see me do something he couldn’t do. I skipped."
Madison, who was partially paralyzed in a 2014 car crash, says Dave's joke is all part of living in a free society.
MC's disability wasn't the only topic Dave touched on ... he also referenced a memorable moment from Madison's single term in Congress ... Cawthorn infamously claimed he had been invited to an orgy in Washington.
Madison says Dave's sex parties joke didn't bother him either ... and he was well aware ahead of time Dave would be taking aim at him in the special, getting a heads up from some of his buddies who caught Dave's set in Nashville.
In fact, Madison tells us DC is his favorite comic ... and he went to one of Dave's shows in Tampa, which was being filmed by the Netflix crew, so he could hear the jokes for himself.
Madison says Dave was floored to see him in the audience, with the comedian inviting him backstage after the show ... introducing Madison to his family and giving him some drinks.
In the credits of Dave's special, there's even footage of Madison laughing in the audience ... and the two posed for a photo together after the set.
Dave also roasts transgender people and Lil Nas X, among others ... but Madison is taking his jabs in stride.
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GYPSY ROSE BLANCHARD Kim K, Help Me Promote Prison Reform!!!
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Gypsy Rose Blanchard wants to meet with Kim Kardashian to discuss prison reform ... and while a meeting has yet to happen, we're told Gypsy still wants to pick Kim's brain.
Sources close to Gypsy tell TMZ … she's open to working with Kim and feels they are a good fit because of her experience with the justice system and Kim's work on prison reform.
Our sources say Gypsy thinks Kim could provide guidance on how to navigate her newfound platform on social media, and use her voice to affect real change and advance her advocacy work.
Remember ... Gypsy tweeted at Kim back in November when she was still locked up, thanking Kim for recommending an HBO documentary about her case and saying, "maybe we should unite forces together to make real change with the justice system.
Since Gypsy’s release, our sources say Gypsy has not reached out to Kim and KK hasn't reached out to her ... but we're told the door is open for them to get together in the future.
When Gypsy shouted out Kim on social media, some folks accused her of starving for attention ... but our sources say GRB genuinely wants to use her platform for prison reform, and it's something she's going to focus on as she starts her new life after prison. Kim's one of the few people Gypsy follows, but KK's not following back as of now.
Kim's the one who actually got the ball rolling here ... a few years ago she highlighted Gypsy's 2017 HBO doc "Mommy Dead and Dearest" on a list of true crime documentaries she recommended to her followers.
Gypsy's already seen her plans to see Taylor Swift at a football game fizzle, so it will be interesting to see if she makes something happen with Kim.
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In the meantime, Gypsy's new docuseries, "The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard," is set to air as a three-night event Jan. 5-7 at 8 PM ET on Lifetime.
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Ian Ziering Biker Brawl Cops Hot on the Trail in Felony Investigation
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Ian Ziering's terrifying encounter with a bunch of biker brutes in Hollywood is now under police investigation ... and cops have some early leads.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... there are surveillance cameras all up and down the section of Hollywood Blvd. where Ian got into it with the bikers, as well as cell phone footage of the incident, so investigators have a lot to work with here.
Our sources say this group of bikers bumped Ian's car and when he got out of the vehicle, things got heated and the attack ensued ... which backs up what Ian's claiming.
Cops tell us this is not an isolated incident and it's happened before with large groups of motorcyclists, and bicyclists too.
Police recommend anyone finding themselves in Ian's shoes should stay in their car, call 911 and remain calm ... because mob mentality can escalate very quickly in these situations.
The way cops see it ... it's better to let insurance handle things as long as it's just property damage and it's not worth getting into it with a large group of people.
One angle from the attack shows bikers using their helmets to beat the crap out of Ian's car ... damaging his windshield while his 10-year-old daughter was inside.
Our sources say the case will most likely be turned over to the Los Angeles County District Attorney because it's a case of felony vandalism with over $1,000 in damage.
As for the battery aspect of the case, we're told any criminal charges there would likely be misdemeanors, because there were no major injuries.
Our sources say LAPD is aware of an Instagram post one of the bikers allegedly published on social media ... and they're looking into it.
Meanwhile, LAPD will have more eyes in the area in the future.
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Channing Crowder Slams Miami Dolphins ... How Could You Leave Tua And Chubb In?!?
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Channing Crowder has a bone to pick with his former team ... telling TMZ Sports he's upset the Dolphins left Tua Tagovailoa and Bradley Chubb in during their blowout loss on Sunday -- leaving them vulnerable to injuries.
The former Miami linebacker said he wished Mike McDaniel had pulled all of his guys from their 56-19 game against Baltimore ... because he thinks it could've saved the Fins' two stars from getting hurt.
"That game, at that juncture," he said, "down by that much -- 30-plus points -- you pull out the starters. You fold up camp. Whatever you want to say. And you get ready for Buffalo Bills."
McDaniel, of course, didn't do that ... and Tagovailoa sustained a shoulder injury that has him day-to-day, while Chubb tore his ACL.
Crowder says the decision could now cost the Dolphins dearly.
From @GMFB: The #Dolphins suffered a costly loss, with injuries to QB Tua Tagovailoa (shoulder) and pass-rusher Bradley Chubb (potentially serious knee injury), plus #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey strained his calf. pic.twitter.com/NyJplAEpmZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 1, 2024 @RapSheet
"If the Dolphins are healthy, they can play with anybody in the league," Crowder said. "But, now you start getting these injuries after injuries, and that's when it's going to go downhill for the Dolphins."
Going forward, Crowder implored his ex-team to bring in some edge rushers help to offset injuries that Jaelan Phillips and Chubb have now suffered.
Crowder is talking more football on "Inside The NFL" Tuesdays on The CW ... and in this week's episode, he and the guys had a segment on Zay Flowers -- who he says he absolutely loves after he coached the Ravens star back in high school.
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Carlton Gebbia On 'Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills' 'Memba Her?!
American television personality Carlton Elizabeth (formerly Gebbia) was 40 years old when she made her debut on season 4 of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" back in 2013.
Joining Carlton in the dramatic series included Kyle Richards as the hot bubbly mom, Kim Richards as the goofy and clumsy housewife, Yolanda Hadid as the former supermodel with the walk-in fridge and Lisa Vanderpump as the restauranteur with "British humor."
Most recently, "Housewives" Executive Producer, Andy Cohen, recently revealed he has been in communication with Carlton ...
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Jimmy Kimmel To Aaron Rodgers I'll See You In Court, AA-Hole!!! Response to Epstein Claim
Jimmy Kimmel and Aaron Rodgers are beefing ... and it's all over Jeffrey Epstein's soon-to-be unmasked list of associates.
The late-night TV talk show host is now threatening the New York Jets quarterback with legal action after Aaron suggested on live TV, Jimmy might be one of Epstein's associates.
Jimmy just fired back on social media, ripping Aaron -- who he addresses with "Dear Aassh***e," saying the QB's "reckless words put my family in danger."
In case you missed it ... Aaron was doing his scheduled Tuesday hit on "The Pat McAfee Show" when he said he would be celebrating the release of Epstein's associates.
Aaron said ... "A lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, are really hoping that doesn't come out."
Jimmy's vehemently denying having anything to do with Epstein whatsoever ... and he's blasting Rodgers as a "soft-brained wacko" who "can't seem to distinguish from reality."
JK says if AR keeps it up, they will "debate the facts further in court."
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Nigel Lythgoe 'All American Girl' Contestants Sue E.P. ... Allege Sexual Assault & Battery
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On the heels of Paula Abdul's lawsuit, veteran TV producer Nigel Lythgoe finds himself facing a second lawsuit, claiming he sexually assaulted and harassed 2 contestants 20 years ago on a reality competition show.
Both women were contestants on the show, "All American Girl" -- which aired for one season back in 2003 -- and Lythgoe was a producer on the program. According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, the women allege he would repeatedly show up on the set, and in dressing rooms, when they were wearing dance costumes ... and "openly swatted and groped" their butts.
In the suit, which the plaintiffs are filing as Jane Does, they say production hosted a party to celebrate the end of filming ... but at the end of the party, they claim Lythgoe insisted one of the women ride with him back to the studio where everyone else on the cast was going.
The second plaintiff insisted on going with them to protect her fellow contestant -- but they allege Lythgoe drove them back to his home, where he made sexual advances on both of them. In the suit, they allege he lifted up the sweater she was wearing, and "engulfed" one of the women while trying to kiss her ... and she immediately rejected him.
The other plaintiff claims he got aggressive with her by pushing her against a grand piano and forcing his mouth and tongue on her ... all of which she protested.
The women are suing Lythgoe and an unnamed production company for sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.
As we said, they've filed anonymously, and the suit only identifies the defendant as "John Roe N.L." and the show as "AAG" -- but TMZ has confirmed through sources with knowledge ... they're referring to Nigel Lythgoe and "All American Girl."
The plaintiffs cite California's Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act ... which they believe allows for the revival of their claims even though the statute of limitations would have otherwise run.
TMZ broke the story ... Paula Abdul also cited that Act when she sued Lythgoe last week for allegedly sexually assaulting her while they were working together on "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance."
Lythgoe called Paula's lawsuit "wholly untrue" -- adding the allegations are "deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for."
We've reached out to his reps for comment on this latest suit, but no word back yet.
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IAN ZIERING FIRST SIGHTING SINCE BIKER BRAWL ... Spreading 'Good Vibes!!!'
Ian Ziering's trying his best to keep a positive attitude on the heels of his terrifying encounter with a mob of ruthless bikers in Hollywood ... as he gets out and about again for the first time since the street brawl.
The "Beverly Hills, 90210" star looked relaxed during a lunch outing at Bristol Farms Tuesday afternoon in WeHo ... donning a baseball cap branded with the oh-so zen message of "Good Vibes."
TMZ broke the story ... Ian's peace was massively interrupted Saturday as he ended up going toe-to-toe with a group of bikers, who he claims sideswiped his car while weaving through traffic on Hollywood Blvd.
Video footage we obtained shows the bikers violently kicking and pounding their helmets on Ian's car ... all while his 10-year-old daughter, Penna, was alone inside as Ian fought off others across the street.
The ordeal was frightening enough for onlookers ... let alone little Penna, who was seen weeping, and was consoled by her dad shortly after.
Luckily, the father and daughter duo emerged unscathed from the attack -- with Ian taking to IG Monday to urge L.A. officials to take action against what he sees as a rising tide of "hooliganism" in the city.