Model Jenifer "Jenn" An has initiated a lawsuit against celebrity artist Kanye West, claiming he sexually assaulted her during a 2010 music video filming.
The lawsuit details an alleged physical and sexual assault by West against An at the Chelsea Hotel in New York City, Page Six reported.
In early September 2010, Kanye West was involved in the production of the music video for the remix of La Roux's song "In for the Kill." According to the lawsuit, this incident took place at the well-known Chelsea Hotel, a locale famous for its artistic and celebrity history.
West was accompanied by his then-girlfriend, Selita Ebanks, and took an assertive role in directing the video, despite the presence of an official director, Kinga Burza. A claim that West's behavior was domineering from the start, as he specifically selected her out of a lineup of models while stating, "Give me the Asian girl." This command, An recalls, immediately made her feel uncomfortable.
As per the court documents, West's manipulation escalated quickly. Wearing only lingerie for her role in the video, An was physically overwhelmed by West who allegedly began assaulting her without consent. The nature of the assault was violent; An describes how West choked her and smothered her face, which led to her makeup becoming smeared across her visage.
Amid the ordeal, West is accused of incorporating elements typical of BDSM, forcefully gagging An with his fingers while declaring his actions as artistic expression, comparing himself to Picasso. These incidents happened publicly on the video set, with An feeling helpless and finding it difficult to breathe, even fearing that she might lose consciousness momentarily.
The legal documents further allege that despite the apparent distress and the visible struggle from An, no one intervened, including West's partner, Selita Ebanks. This lack of response and the environment of the setting seemingly contributed to the severity of An's experience.
In addition to suing West personally, An's legal action includes Universal Music Group. She accuses the company of neglecting to properly investigate the serious allegations against one of their most profitable artists. The lawsuit suggests that financial considerations were put ahead of employee safety and well-being, violating their duty of care.
Jenifer An is seeking compensation for the trauma and various distresses she alleges to have suffered as a consequence of the incident. These include both physical injuries and emotional distress, which she states have had a long-term impact on her personal and professional life.
As of now, representatives for Kanye West and Selita Ebanks have not publicly responded to the accusations. Prior attempts made by media outlets to reach them for comment have remained unanswered.
The repercussions of this case reach beyond the individuals involved, highlighting critical issues related to workplace safety, artist conduct in creative settings, and the responsibilities of employers in the entertainment industry. The outcome of this lawsuit could potentially influence how similar cases are handled by production companies and music labels in the future.
