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Nigel Lythgoe
President
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 British-born
Nigel Lythgoe (President) is one of the most respected talents in
the World of Television. He has a host of major credits, including
the UK series Pop Idol, from which the acclaimed American Idol was
born.
Nigel began his career as a dancer in 1968 with the British song and
dance group The Young Generation, and in 1971 became its
choreographer. In this capacity he choreographed over 500 shows in
the UK and Europe, working with such stars as Bing Crosby, Chita
Rivera, Ben Vereen, Cyd Charisse, the Muppets and the incredible
Gene Kelly.
In 1989, Nigel became a television Producer/Director and brought
American Gladiators to the UK. The show soon became a major success
for London Weekend Television, for which Nigel became Controller of
Entertainment and Comedy in 1996. In 2000, he produced and became a
Judge on the British version of Popstars, and was so tough with the
contestants that the tabloid press named him Nasty Nigel!
In 2001, Nigel was invited to join Simon Fuller's 19 Television as
President to develop Fuller's concept of Idol. The show became an
instant hit on British television and later around the World. In
2007, a charity spin-off Idol Gives Back raised $76M for charities
both here and in Africa, and won the Governors Emmy Award from the
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Nigel went on to co-create and exec-produce So You Think You Can
Dance, returning in front of the cameras as a resident judge. The
show has picked up 3 Emmy Awards for its Choreography. He has just
formed a new company with Simon Fuller: Big Red 2 Entertainment.
Their first project is a 9 hour television series titled Superstars
of Dance, hosted by Michael Flatley for the NBC network.
In 2007, Nigel created BritWeek to celebrate British talent here in
Los Angeles. He is a board member of BAFTA/LA and Chair of its
Television Committee, and is also a board member of LA's Best, the
Mayor's after school enrichment program. Nigel has two sons and four
grandchildren. |
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