By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Renowned musician Kanye West, is at the center of a lawsuit accusing him of assaulting model Jenn An during the filming of a music video. The incident reportedly took place on the set of La Roux’s ‘In for the Kill’ music video at the iconic Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan back in 2010.
According to details revealed in the complaint filed in federal court in New York as reported by Rolling Stone magazine, the ‘Stronger’ hitmaker allegedly subjected Jenn An, an ‘America’s Next Top Model’ finalist, to a distressing ordeal. Jenn recounted that Kanye West arrived on set and singled her out, demanding, “Give me the Asian girl,” while she was dressed in lingerie.
The lawsuit further detailed how Kanye allegedly directed the camera crew to focus on Jenn’s face as he orchestrated his own “production,” towering over her and breathing heavily. Shockingly, the plaintiff claimed that on camera, Kanye West proceeded to choke her with one hand, then used both hands to strangle her. The situation escalated as he inserted fingers into her throat, mimicking forced oral sex and engaging in disturbing behaviors akin to pornographic gagging and BDSM fetishes.
Jenn An described feeling panicky and seeking help from others on set, but allegedly, no one intervened. She narrated a harrowing experience where Kanye reportedly proclaimed, “This is art. This is f****** art. I am like Picasso.” The model expressed struggling to breathe and even blacking out briefly during the assault, leaving her visibly shaken and disoriented.
Seeking justice, Jenn An is pursuing compensatory and punitive damages against Kanye West and Universal Music Group, which she named as a co-defendant in the lawsuit. By coming forward with her story, she aims to draw attention to the prevalent issue of sexual abuse within the music and entertainment industries, highlighting the necessity for accountability and systemic change to protect artists from such traumatic experiences.
In an emotional statement, Jenn emphasized the urgent need for a safer environment for women in these industries, denouncing the prevalent power dynamics that perpetuate abuse and exploitation. By taking legal action, she hopes to set a precedent that holds perpetrators accountable and empowers survivors to speak out against misconduct.
As the legal proceedings unfold, this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of the challenges of violence against women in the music industry. It also highlights the need to address harmful behaviour within the entertainment world. Stay tuned for further developments in this developing story.