♪ hm hm hm hm hm ♪ [ cheers and applause ] ♪ this is "nightline." >> byron: tonight -- paula abdul. ♪ ♪ do you really want to love me forever ♪ >> byron: the singer and performer who went from pop princess to "american idol" diva. >> and there's paula abdul! >> i'm proud of being the wizard behind the curtain that made families gather round. >> byron: now coming forward

with allegations of sexual abuse against "idol" executive producer nigel lifco, who denies any wrongdoing. >> i don't think this was a money grab, i think she was fed and up didn't want to be silent anymore. >> byron: the law that made it possible to sue. will more women now come forward this. golden wedding. >> it is my honor and privilege to announce you husband and wife. you may kiss your bride. >> byron: america's septuagenarian sweethearts hitched in a primetime event. why they're hitching up now. >> so many things we want to live for, so many things we want to do together. >> byron: and the surprise proposal that nearly stole the show. what's next for the newlyweds? (♪) join the millions who're feeling the power of osteo bi-flex®,

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( ♪ ) emergen-c crystals. ♪ >> byron: good evening. thank you for joining us. tonight, paula abdul's lawsuit against one of reality tv's top producers is sending shockwaves through the entertainment industry. the superstar alleges sexual assault and harassment by a man she knew and worked with for years. abc's diane macedo with the story. >> paula! >> reporter: you may know her as

the grammy-winning pop princess of the late '80s and early '90s whose songs like "cold hearted" -- >> ♪ cold-hearted snake look into his eyes ♪ >> reporter: -- blasted from practically every radio in america. ♪ straight up now tell me do you really want to love me forever ♪ >> reporter: her dance moves straight-up iconic. her choreography award-winning. >> paula abdul is an american dream story. she starts off as a laker girl and then inside of a year becomes the head choreograph and janet jackson hired her, and from there someone said, if she can sing too, she can be a superstar. >> reporter: more than two decades into her storied career, another big break. being a judge on the starmaker hit tv show ""american idol."" >> this is "american idol." >> i'm proud of being the wizard behind the curtain that made

families gather round. >> reporter: shortly after "idol" came "so you think you can dance?" >> that was absolutely boot-i-ful. >> reporter: nearly a decade later, abdul said behind the scenes she felt there was some behavior that was inappropriate and even criminal, now suing executive producer nigel lythgoe who she says subjected her to not only verbal harassment and bullying but sexual abuse. abc has learned two more women have filed lawsuits against the industry juggernaut, alleging lythgoe made unwanted sexual advances on them while they were contestants on the 2003 show "all-american girl" which aired on abc. network representatives have not responded to our request for comment. lythgoe, a pioneer of reality tv, a classically train and dancer and choreographer, he went on to develop and produce

britain's top-rated "pop idol." >> that's the end of "pop idol 2002." >> nigel, for the last 20 years, has made his mark as a talent-based reality tv producer. he's brought a number of television shows to american households and international households, developing and helping to develop new superstar talent. >> reporter: in 2002, lythgoe moved to the u.s. to produce "american idol," which became the number one television show in the country, drawing up to 38 million viewers in one episode. >> you are through to the next round. >> all right! >> reporter: the program became a cultural phenomenon that introduced america to the powerful voices of kelly clarkson -- ♪ i can't believe it's happening to me ♪ >> reporter: country superstar carrie underwood, fantasia burino, and academy award winner

jennifer hudson. "nightline" went backstage with paula abdul in 2009 as she returned to judge her eighth season of "idol," her contract set to expire that same year. >> if this is my last hurrah on "idol," i must say, the proudest thing for me is that i'm having the best time of my life. >> paula, you're an inspiration! >> i love the show. i do, i love what i do. >> reporter: but behind the curtain, abdul said she was the target of harassment from lythgoe. in one incident during one of "american idol's" early seasons, the complaint states during an elevator ride lythgoe shoved her against the wall, grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat. >> i think she was fearful that if she spoke out against someone who is a very powerful reality tv show producer, and that's where she was making her life's work, that that would limit the jobs and opportunities that she had, so she stayed silent. >> reporter: her legal team says in part that paula has lived

with the trauma of these events for a long time, and like many victims suffered feelings of guilt and trepidation over being shunned from her industry. >> paula, she's hanging out with kathy hilton, she's doing okay right now. i don't think this is a money grab. i think she probably was just fed up and didn't want to be silent anymore. >> reporter: abdul left "idol" in 2009 after being denied a raise, a few years later joined "so you think you can dance," as a judge, a show lythgoe created and judged alongside her. >> you've mastered every language there is in dance. >> reporter: abdul says it was around that time lythgoe invited her to dinner at his home, forced himself on top of her, and attempted to kiss her, while proclaiming the two would make an excellent power couple. in the complaint, she also states that at one point, lythgoe called her and taunted her that they should celebrate because it had been seven years and the statute of limitations had run. in a statement lythgoe says,

while paula's history of erratic behavior is well known, i can't pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue, but i can promise that i will fight this appalling smear with everything i have. men of the production companies implicated in the suit, none have responded to "nightline's" request for comment. sources tell abc news lythgoe is facing additional accusations. a lawsuit filed by two contestants of the 2003 abc show "all-american girl" alleges that lythgoe engaged in sexual harassment, batly, and assault. the contestants claim that lythgoe, one of the show's executive producers, made sexual advances toward both of them, including pinning one of the women against a grand piano in the house, pushed himself against her body, and forced his mouth and tongue onto her. according to the filing, the contestants did not consent to the contact on any occasion. these lawsuits are the latest in a series of high-profile cases in california that are part of

the sexual abuse and cover-unaccount ability account. >> the sexual abuse and cover-unaccount ability act gave adult survivors of sexual abuse this look-back window to say, even though the statute of limitations might have expired for those allegations you suffered, we will allow you to reopen and accuse your abusers of sexual assault during this period. >> reporter: several filings involving celebrities came to light, including a claim against jackson 5 member jermaine jackson and motley crue's tommy lee. neither of this commented publicly on the'ses. what do you think it is that pushes some people to go from that place of fear to make that decision to come forward? >> seeing high-profile people being held accountable for their actions. the knowledge that sexual assault can touch the most vulnerable among us, also the most powerful among us, is something that i believe allows a lot of survivors to know they can come forward and actually be

believed and that they are not alone. >> reporter: it's not just california. other states are opening windows for sexual assault filings. in new york, the adult survivors act paved the way for filings against sean diddy combs who's denied any wrongdoing, and neil portnoy, formerly of the grammy awards, who also denies the allegations. >> look-back laws ar good step. they signal an advancing understanding of the survivor journey and what may prevent survivors from coming forward in the immediate aftermath of an attack. ultimately these are good things but we can go further. >> byron: our thanks to diane. anyone affected by sexual assault can find support from the national sexual assault hotline at 4673. when we come back, "the golden bachelor" ties the knot.

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♪ >> byron: it was a romance for the ages, and anyone with a touch of gray hair who believes in a second chance at love. tonight, the golden couple said "i do." >> i love you. i love your heart and your soul. i love your smiles and your laughter. i love you with all my heart.

and i cannot wait to be your wife. >> so teresa, i know i found a full partner to share all of life experiences that are thrown at us. >> byron: wedding bells are ringing as the golden couple, gerry turner and teresa nist, say "i do." >> it is my honor and privilege to announce you husband and wife. you may kiss your bride. >> byron: the couple tied the knot on live tv. all of "bachelor" nation as their witness. although their journey to the altar wasn't all roses. >> i'm feeling disappointed that there is drama, and if i lose out and don't get a rose because of that, i'm going to feel devastated. >> byron: the history-making season of "the golden bachelor" showed us love has no age limit. >> will you marry me? >> yes! yes! >> ladies and gentlemen, please rise. >> byron: the septua jen fair ran sweethearts made it down the aisle on national television earlier they are evening. in attendance at a palm springs

resort were dozens of their family and friends, including their children and grandchildren, making up the wedding party. >> we said so many times, it's never too late to find love. >> how are you? congratulations. >> reporter: the blissful couple sat down with juju chang after gerry popped the question. >> you found your person. hello, person. what's it like to be found? >> amazing. amazing. >> byron: sharing why they decided to tie the knot now. >> juju: what made you decide that? >> you know, there's just -- there's a certain amount of time involved when you get to 70. when you realize it's right -- i was 100% in, you know. let's get married, let's go right now. we have so much that we have to live for. so many things we want to do together. >> byron: teresa's daughter jen a big part of the planning process. >> my daughter put together a vision board saying, do you like this, do you like this, do you

like this? the vision board is insanely beautiful, and it does have a wedding dress on it. she knows everything. my daughter is so involved. >> byron: this isn't the first time a "bachelor" couple has tied the knot on television. there have been seven other couples who have shared their special day with all of "bachelor" nation, including the first bachelorette, trista, and ryan sutter. ♪ i think i've found her ♪ >> byron: sean and katherine lowe in 2014. >> you may kiss your bride. >> byron: the latest, carley waddle and evan bass in 2017. >> i love you. and i choose you. >> i love you. >> byron: gerry and teresa's wedding had a few fellow "golden bachelor" contestants in attendance, including susan knowles, officiating her trend and former love interest's wedding. >> teresa and i met when she walked through the "bachelor"

mansion door in her birthday suit. gerry and i met when i stepped out of the limo screaming "gerry, i'm gonna marry you!" turns out i was right. >> byron: even gerry's runner-up leslie was in attendance. viewers watched her heart break and raw emotions in that season finale. today she says she's here to support love. >> at our age, we have to celebrate love. and i was very good friends with teresa. we support each other throughout the whole time in the house. >> byron: it wouldn't be a "bachelor" event without a dramatic twist. a surprise proposal for "bachelor nation." >> like gerry said, we have much little time, i know i want to spend the rest of my days with you. so christina -- [ cheers and applause ] >> whoa! yes, yes! >> thank you. >> byron: "the golden bachelor"

has brought together fans of all ages. the long-running tv series' biggest premiere a ud in years, 13.9 million viewers, shining a spotlight on finding love in the golden years of life. >> its onn n ned oozed ou the women there felt sexy, wanted, seen, desirable. >> it was life changing for us, that we did feel seen. we did feel like we were important and that they were telling our story. this is amazing, that this is happening at this time in our lives. >> byron: 22 women of a certain age. seven rose ceremonies. and a few tearful good-byes. >> it's been a joy getting to know you. >> thank you. >> and you have a good heart. >> i wish you well. >> byron: ultimately, gerry says he found his partner. teresa and gerry's roads to the mansion were similar.

encouraged by their daughters to apply. their grief from losing their spouses turning out to be their ice breaker. >> you've bonded on this loss this grief that you share. but that when you first were talking about it, that you didn't cry, you were both calm. >> because we understood what each had gone through. >> it may have been one of the first times i talked about annette and i didn't cry. because i knew she understood. >> juju: how would you describe the other pieces that make this puzzle fit? >> the sense of humor we share is huge. i'm finding that she is very good at keeping me grounded. >> juju: when did sparks fly for you? >> immediately when i met him. then sitting on the bench. >> you ready? >> yeah. >> then that date was out of this world amazing. >> that is huge. >> that's what you need to wake up each morning. >> you don't stop believing. >> then this incredible flash mob. ♪ don't stop believing ♪

>> byron: as for what's next for the newlyweds -- >> i've talked about moving to south carolina. i never quite pulled the trigger. so when we're in the fantasy suites, talking about compromise, she goes, "well, you know, i have a son and three grandsons in south carolina." and i go, "oh my god, there we go." >> yeah, that works. >> situation solved. >> no time to waste. >> that's right. >> we just want to have fun. we both have this same joy for life and wanting to do it all and to include everything. >> byron: cheers to the new couple. if you missed it, you cantream "the golden wedding" on hulu. we'll be right back. ities and unforgettable scenery with viking. unpack once and get closer to iconic landmarks, local life and cultural treasures. because when you experience europe

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♪ >> byron: finally tonight, a preview of tomorrow's special "on the brink." abc's diane sawyer and rachel scott with the powerful stories of pregnant women who have had medical emergencies in states with laws restricting abortions. texas resident christian anaiya faced a life-threatening complication after her water broke at 16 weeks and lost virtually all her amniotic fluid. doctors told her her daughter could not survive. >> our doctor, our nurses, were crying at our bedside, my bedside. wishing they could do something. with blank stares on their faces because they literally couldn't do anything until the blood work showed that i was dying. >> reporter: hour by hour, the doctors monitor the increase of the infection in her blood. she knows there's no chance for the baby. >> she's literally dying. inside of me.

as i lay on the bed going septic. and in what world does that make any sense? to prevent health care for me. what about my life? we didn't ask for that. we didn't want that. that's where we were. >> byron: you can watch this powerful story "on the brink" tomorrow night at 8:00 eastern on abc. that's "nightline" for this evening. watch our full episodes on hulu. see you right back here same time tomorrow. thanks for the company, america. good night.