Paula Abdul and former "American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show.

Abdul filed a notice of settlement of the case in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday. It still must be approved by a judge.

"I am grateful that this chapter has successfully come to a close and is now something I can now put behind me," Abdul said in a statement Friday. "This has been a long and hard-fought personal battle. I hope my experience can serve to inspire other women, facing similar struggles, to overcome their own challenges with dignity and respect, so that they too can turn the page and begin a new chapter of their lives."

The court filing said the settlement was unconditional, but did not reveal the terms, and Abdul's attorney Melissa Eubanks said she could not comment on them.

An email seeking comment from attorneys for Lythgoe was not immediately answered.

The lawsuit filed nearly a year ago had also accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left "American Idol" and became a judge on Lythgoe's other competition show, "So You Think You Can Dance."

Lythgoe said at the time that he was "shocked and saddened" by the allegations, which he called "an appalling smear."

After other lawsuits were filed alleging sexual misconduct, Lythgoe stepped down in January from his role as a judge on "So You Think You Can Dance."

The 75-year-old English-born producer has been a prominent TV producer for decades in both the U.K. and the U.S., working on reality competition shows including "American Idol."

The Associated Press generally does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault unless they... Read More