A model suing Kanye West, formerly known as Ye, alleges the rapper choked her and simulated oral sex by sticking his fingers in her mouth during a 2010 music video shoot. West's lawyers argue the encounter was part of an artistic performance.
The lawsuit brings renewed attention to allegations of assault against Kanye West and raises questions about the boundaries of artistic expression versus personal safety and consent in creative endeavors.
A model who alleges she was choked by Kanye West, formerly known as Ye, during a 2010 music video shoot has described the encounter as leaving her feeling "suffocated, unsure and scared." Jennifer An, a former contestant on America's Next Top Model, is suing the rapper over the incident, which she claims involved West choking her and sticking his fingers in her mouth to simulate oral sex.
West's lawyers do not deny the encounter but argue it was part of an "intense and provocative theatrical performance," intended to emulate a scene from the film 'American Psycho.' They contend An was a "consenting participant" and that West's actions were protected by the First Amendment.
An recounted to the BBC's Fame Under Fire podcast that West took over the set of the La Roux music video for 'In For The Kill' and, after struggling with his lines, directed a new scene where he assaulted her. She stated that she did not resist for fear of losing her job.
La Roux, whose real name is Elly Jackson, later described the incident as "horrific" in Instagram messages to An, which have been submitted to the court. Jackson recalled West whispering to her after the incident, "I bet you think I just put women back about 10 years," to which she responded, "You just put women back about 500 years."
An filed her civil lawsuit in 2024 under New York City's Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act. West's legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that artistic expression should be protected. An's lawyer, Jesse Weinstein, warned that allowing such actions under the guise of art would set a dangerous precedent.
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