Paula Abdul says her sexual assault lawsuit against producer Nigel Lythgoe is 'something I can now put behind me' after the case was settled in Los Angeles this week.

The lawsuit accused Lythgoe of assaulting Abdul during one of the early seasons of 'American Idol' and years later, when she was a judge on 'So You Think You Can Dance.'

The Grammy and Emmy winner sued the British TV producer a year ago. He described her claims as "an appalling smear".