Nigel Lythgoe’s Niece Wins Gold in Dressage Event

By On 08/09/2012 · 14 Comments · In American Idol, Nigel Lythgoe

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Some of you were talking in comments about American Idol, executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe’s niece, Charlotte Dujardin, winning Olympic Gold today in a dressage event. Here’s a little more information about Charlotte from TMZ:

Nigel Lythgoe’s niece is now England’s idol, after winning her second gold medal in the Olympics this morning.

Charlotte Dujardin rode her way to victory in the non-sport of dressage … a fancy term for horse dancing.

As for the connection between the famed “American Idol” honcho and Charlotte, she’s his ex-wife’s sister’s daughter. Translation — even though Nigel calls her his niece, it’s really his ex-niece.

Nigel tells us, although he hasn’t spoken to her in 9 years, he sponsored her for a year in dressage before he got divorced.

Nigel tells TMZ when he found out Charlotte won for a second time this AM, he actually cried.

Oh. She is his niece by marriage. Nigel hasn’t seen her since his divorce. Well, they were married for a pretty long time, so he probably was close to Charlotte at one point. He sponsored the Olympic winner in the expensive sport at one time. But divorce can alter some arrangements.

Nigel tweeted about the event this morning:

#msnbc is showing individual Olympic dressage NOW . I should see my niece, Charlotte in a minute. Keep your fingers crossed for her please.

What these horses are doing is incredible. #SoYouThinkYourHorseCanDance

She did it she did it she did it #GOLD

Congratulations all around!

 
  • Anonymous

    :O

    I think I’m most shocked that horse dancing is a real sport, lol. Or even exists, for that matter. Congrats, though!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SYFK77IYLRQIVATQ2MJKSW2J7Y Pam

    That’s awesome.  Congrats to Charlotte.  I have seen a lot of different events during this Olympics where I am bewildered that they are actual events lol but a win is a win.  

  • http://twitter.com/Sassycatz Sassycatz

    Well, good for him for helping her out at one time. That answers the question I posed in the headline thread. 

  • http://twitter.com/doesmonaknow DoesMonaKnow

    I am surprised this is TMZ-worthy but then Nigel is well acquainted with them over there.

  • Anonymous

    Ah, but did she sing GSTQ?  ;)

    Based on this tweet, I’d say “no”.

    Piers Morgan?@piersmorgan

    Dressage conundrum: Charlotte Dujardin won Gold and DIDN’T
    sing the anthem – but Laura Bechtolsheimer won Bronze and DID.
    Hmmmm….

    Piers has his own personal campaign to have GB gold medal winners sing their anthem when it’s played. He’s donating £1000 to a charity for everyone that does. I think it’s up to £23,000 now.

  • http://twitter.com/Miztig Miz

    Congrats to her and Nigel was genuinely happy and proud of her. I hate how divorce breaks up extended families. You can’t turn off love that easily.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/DY5236XYY2SBL7EJNTK5ROIGMA Madred

    Glad she won gold.

  • Anonymous

    I don’t understand dressage or how it’s judged, but it looks sorta cool. Congrats to her (and her horse)

  • Guest

    Equestrian events have been a part of the Olympics since 1900. Originally those in the Armies were the main participants
    It wasn’t until 1952 that women were allowed to compete and is the only sport at the Olympics where men and women compete together(and no handicaps).
    Horses were trained for war and many of the movements the horses perform are from when they were used in war. Dressage actually means training, and evolved into a competitive sport
    The Piaffe, where the horse trots in one place(almost), was used to trample the enemy in war days :)
    It may look easy and a non sport, but anyone who rides horses can tell you it is extremely difficult and my congrats to the young girl who took Gold in both Team and Individual Dressage.
    Oh and the Saudi Arabian team had a 40 million dollar budget for developing their team to be a contender in Show Jumping for the Olympic Games this year. They placed 3rd for the Bronze!
    And Mitt Romney submitted 70,000 in expenses to his taxes for their Dressage horse. ;)

  • Anonymous

    What these horses are doing is incredible. #SoYouThinkYourHorseCanDance

    i laughed lol

  • Anonymous

    As a former competitor in Dressage it burns my butt that it is considered an easy sport  grr, lol . Lets see those  real sport athletes control a 1200 lb animal with four 5/8″ pieces of leather and their legs. :)

    Congratulations to her!

  • Anonymous

    Congrats!  So funny to think that he is someone’s “Uncle Nigel” in real life!  Heh.

  • marylouisedwyer

    I agree with Piers on this one….I think it should be expected for an athlete to sing their anthem when it is playing. Not only does it show respect and pride but it demonstrates gratitude for all that has been given them (whether earned or gifted). I am impressed with the ones that do sing or mime the words. It shows class!

  • Anonymous

    I am a horse owner, and I have mad respect for the dressage competitors.    The level of training and athleticism required from both the horse and rider easily matches that of competitors from other sports, and just think how tough it is for the rider AND horse to be peaking at just the right time.  Congrats to Charlotte!