Singer Accused of Assault During Music Video Shoot

A former contestant on America's Next Top Model is speaking out about alleged sexual assault during a 2010 music video shoot for a La Roux remix involving Kanye West. The accuser described feeling "suffocated, unsure and scared" during the incident at New York's Chelsea Hotel, an account detailed in a recent BBC interview.

West, now legally known as Ye, has denied liability, with his legal team asserting that the alleged conduct was part of a staged artistic performance and should not constitute sexual violence. This defense argues that the "emulation of sexual violence for artistic purposes" is distinct from actual assault.

The lawsuit was filed in November 2024 in New York federal court, accusing West and associated companies of violating New York's Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act. The accuser is reportedly seeking a jury trial, punitive damages, and compensation for alleged harm.

Recent court filings have included statements from La Roux and a makeup artist who was present. La Roux reportedly provided Instagram messages backing parts of the accuser's account and describing the event as "horrific." The makeup artist claimed the conduct was not scripted, and others on set were shocked.

West's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case in March, contending that physical contact within a staged performance does not automatically create liability. The accuser's side disputes this, stating the alleged conduct was neither scripted nor consensual. The case hinges on these conflicting accounts, with no trial having yet resolved the claims.