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The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Kanye West faces fresh allegations of sexual battery and sex trafficking in amended lawsuit by former assistant
Kanye West, also known as Ye, is facing new legal allegations from former assistant Lauren Pisciotta, who has filed an amended complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court accusing the musician of sexual battery, sex trafficking, and other offenses. According to court documents reviewed by Variety, Pisciotta alleges that West 'orally raped her without her consent' and coerced her into sexual situations through false promises of career advancement. She claims the abuse took place during her time working with West between 2021 and 2023, initially as an A&R on the Donda album and later as his personal assistant. The updated complaint expands upon a previous lawsuit filed in June 2024, which alleged wrongful termination and sexual harassment. It now includes additional claims such as gender discrimination, stalking, false imprisonment, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The complaint details a pattern of alleged behavior, including West demanding Pisciotta wear revealing clothing, sending her explicit content, pressuring her to participate in sexual encounters, and offering her to others for sex in exchange for favors. Pisciotta's legal team argues that West's actions meet the definition of sex trafficking under U.S. law, claiming he used 'fraudulent promises of career advancement' and threats of retaliation to force compliance. She also alleges that after she was fired in 2023 for refusing his advances, West moved into her apartment complex and continued to harass her, including an incident where he 'forcibly grabbed' her throat. The complaint states that West escalated harassment after the initial lawsuit was filed, including 'swatting' — the act of making false emergency reports to law enforcement. Pisciotta is seeking a jury trial and is pursuing general, economic, and punitive damages. West's representatives have not yet responded to the latest allegations. His attorney previously called the earlier claims 'baseless' and stated plans to countersue.
Perth Now
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Kevin Costner's lawyer slams 'meritless' sexual harassment claims against the actor
Kevin Costner's lawyer has described of sexual harassment allegation against the actor as "meritless". The Yellowstone actor is being sued by Devyn LaBella, who has claimed she was subjected to a 'violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene' without notice on set in May 2023 while filming Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2. The 24--year-old stuntwoman's team first filed the lawsuit against Costner and Horizon producers last month and have now filed an amended complaint including text messages with the movie's intimacy coordinator, and the alleged emotions she felt after the scene. In response, Costner's lawyer Marty Singer told in a statement: "Ms. LaBella was doing a rehearsal on an Insert Shot for a scripted scene. There was no intimacy or anything sexual in the shot. "There was tugging on a dress while she was fully clothed in a dress with long bloomers lying down next to a male actor." The lawyer has also alleged that LaBella - who was a stunt double for series star Ella Hunt - thanked her supervisor for "these wonderful weeks" after finishing work on the Western saga. Singer continued: "Numerous witnesses have contradicted Ms. LaBella's meritless claims. "She herself texted her supervisor after she wrapped stating, 'Thank you for these wonderful weeks.' "We look forward to the swift end of this specious lawsuit.' Court documents obtained by say Devyn was hired as a stunt double for lead actress Ella Hunt and not informed or consented to the added scene, which she alleges caused 'permanent trauma'. She also claimed the absence of an intimacy coordinator during filming. Her suit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, states the scene was not on the call sheet and Hunt herself refused to perform it, allegedly walking off set. She added Kevin directed actor Roger Ivens to perform the assault scene and asked her to stand in without adequate preparation or safeguards. Kevin's attorney Marty Singer denied the allegations, calling her a 'serial accuser' and accusing her of 'shakedown tactics'. He stated: 'Kevin always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.' He also said Devyn had approved and rehearsed a prior intimate scene and was 'in good spirits' afterwards. Devyn, whose credits include Barbie (2023) and FX's American Horror Stories, said in a statement to People: 'On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism.' She added she sought therapy for anxiety and sleep disturbances after the incident and vowed to advocate for safer sets. Her attorneys, James A. Vagnini and Kate McFarlane, described the case as 'emblematic of what is still a very deep rooted issue in Hollywood' and 'a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production.'
Boston Globe
17-05-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Cher wants a better home for Los Angeles' elephants. Not Tulsa.
In recent months, the legal, political and zoological drama playing out over the fate of the zoo's Asian elephants has escalated. After two aging members of the herd had to be euthanized, zoo officials announced in April that Billy and the only other surviving elephant, Tina, who is 59, would soon be relocated. Advertisement But instead of the sanctuary that Cher and other advocates wanted, officials said the elephants would be moved to a zoo in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they could join a larger herd. That has led to protests, a lawsuit, tense city meetings, anger at the zoo director and a legal declaration submitted by the pop icon on the elephants' behalf. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The battle comes at a time when lawsuits from animal-rights advocates and the shrinking number of available animals have led more zoos to close their elephant enclosures. New York City's Bronx Zoo has faced growing legal pressure to move its last two elephants to a sanctuary, and in 2023, California's Oakland Zoo sent one of its elephants to a sanctuary in Tennessee after it was unable to find it a compatible companion. Advertisement Billy and Tina's case was in Los Angeles County Superior Court this week, where a judge denied a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit filed by John Kelly, a longtime Los Angeles resident seeking to stop the relocation to Tulsa. The judge's action allows zoo officials to move forward unless the City Council decides to intervene. On Friday, the Nonhuman Rights Project filed a separate lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court to stop the move. Visited by nearly 1.8 million people a year, the zoo is owned by the city of Los Angeles and has been Billy's home since he arrived in California as a 4-year-old from Malaysia. Tina joined him in 2010 from San Diego. Their herd also included Jewel, who was 61 when she died in 2023, and Shaunzi, who died last year at 53. Zoo officials have said that the elephants were declining for reasons unrelated to their enclosure, and that they were euthanized because of age-related health problems. To keep their accreditation, zoos must maintain a herd larger than two so that the animals can properly socialize with other elephants. Los Angeles officials said there weren't enough Asian elephants available to acquire more, so they decided to move Billy and Tina to another zoo instead. Five Asian elephants live on a 17-acre complex at the Tulsa Zoo, and they share a 36,650-square-foot barn -- a space much larger than the one Billy and Tina have now. But animal-rights advocates say they are concerned about Billy and Tina being able to adapt, and the trip there being unhealthy or traumatizing. 'Billy and Tina may not be any better off at the Tulsa Zoo than they are at the LA Zoo,' Chris Draper, an expert in animal behavior and management, said in a declaration filed with the lawsuit by animal-rights advocates last week. Draper is on the accreditation committee for the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Advertisement The Los Angeles Zoo, which said in a statement this week that its elephants and other animals 'receive the best care possible,' referred questions about the legal battle to the city attorney's office, which declined to comment. The zoo's director, Denise Verret, has said that the decision to move the elephants was made in consultation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which accredits zoos across the country. She is the current chair of the association's board of directors. The decision has prompted criticism from some city officials, and concerns about conflict of interest. At a budget hearing last week, City Council member Bob Blumenfield asked Verret if she could promise that the elephants would not be moved until council members had a chance to study the move. She did not agree. 'What I can promise you is that I am always going to make decisions that are for the best interest of the animals at the zoo, including the elephants,' Verret said. For now, it is unclear when the move to Tulsa will happen. Zoo officials said a date had not been determined. On Friday morning, Tina appeared to be receiving some sort of treatment inside the zoo's 16,600-square-foot barn. Outside, Billy paced around the 6.56-acre elephant enclosure, at one point stepping in his own feces. For several minutes, he bobbed his head up and down, which could be interpreted as a sign of a happy elephant. But Cher, co-founder of animal advocacy group Free the Wild, says that when an elephant does that, 'they're having a breakdown.' Advertisement Cher acknowledged that she had never visited Billy or his companions at the zoo, but she said in an interview that she had viewed videos of their condition. 'Billy and Tina have served their time in confinement,' she said. 'They deserve the chance to live out their lives in peace and dignity.' This article originally appeared in
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Halle Bailey Granted Son's Sole Custody After Alleged Ex's Abuse — Report
On Tuesday, requested sole custody of her son, Halo, while reportedly filing for a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, DDG (Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.). In her filing, the actor claimed suffering months-long physical and verbal abuse at the hands of the father of her child, with the first instance dating back to January. Bailey alleged physical assault, and she shared photographic evidence to back her claims. She also claimed DDG screamed profanities at her in front of their 2-year-old boy. Fearing 'the violence would reoccur,' the actor had then requested sole legal and physical custody of Halo, As of now, the Los Angeles court has temporarily granted Bailey a restraining order and the custody of her son. Page Six obtained official court documents, revealing that Halle Bailey received her son's sole legal and physical custody after accusing her ex, DDG, of physical abuse. She filed a request with the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, seeking protection from the rapper and the custody of 2-year-old Halo. The court granted Bailey temporary sole custody of the boy and a temporary restraining order against the father of her son until a June 4 court hearing. In her petition, the 'Little Mermaid' actor accused DDG of domestic abuse, claiming it started in January as he visited their son. The alleged assault happened inside his vehicle in front of Halo when she brought up a discussion about a visitation schedule. As per Bailey's filing, which she backed with photo evidence, the musician became visibly upset and attacked her verbally and physically. Other instances included him entering her home without permission and trying to take their son without her consent while the boy was sick. Besides granting Halle Bailey legal and physical custody of her son, the court ordered her ex, DDG, to maintain a 100-yard distance from them. The temporary restraining order also implies staying away from Bailey's vehicle and Halo's school. The former couple welcomed their son in December 2023 and announced their split on Instagram last October. They had since maintained a co-parenting relationship until the recent revelations. A court hearing concerning the matter will take place on June 4. Originally reported by Nikita Mahato on Reality Tea. The post Halle Bailey Granted Son's Sole Custody After Alleged Ex's Abuse — Report appeared first on Mandatory.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Halle Bailey Gets Son's Sole Custody Over DDG Abuse Claims — Report
On Tuesday, requested sole custody of her son, Halo, while reportedly filing for a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, DDG (Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.). In her filing, the actor claimed suffering months-long physical and verbal abuse at the hands of the father of her child, with the first instance dating back to January. Bailey alleged physical assault, and she shared photographic evidence to back her claims. She also claimed DDG screamed profanities at her in front of their 2-year-old boy. Fearing 'the violence would reoccur,' the actor had then requested sole legal and physical custody of Halo, As of now, the Los Angeles court has temporarily granted Bailey a restraining order and the custody of her son. Page Six obtained official court documents, revealing that Halle Bailey received her son's sole legal and physical custody after accusing her ex, DDG, of physical abuse. She filed a request with the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, seeking protection from the rapper and the custody of 2-year-old Halo. The court granted Bailey temporary sole custody of the boy and a temporary restraining order against the father of her son until a June 4 court hearing. In her petition, the 'Little Mermaid' actor accused DDG of domestic abuse, claiming it started in January as he visited their son. The alleged assault happened inside his vehicle in front of Halo when she brought up a discussion about a visitation schedule. As per Bailey's filing, which she backed with photo evidence, the musician became visibly upset and attacked her verbally and physically. Other instances included him entering her home without permission and trying to take their son without her consent while the boy was sick. Besides granting Halle Bailey legal and physical custody of her son, the court ordered her ex, DDG, to maintain a 100-yard distance from them. The temporary restraining order also implies staying away from Bailey's vehicle and Halo's school. The former couple welcomed their son in December 2023 and announced their split on Instagram last October. They had since maintained a co-parenting relationship until the recent revelations. A court hearing concerning the matter will take place on June 4. The post Halle Bailey Gets Son's Sole Custody Over DDG Abuse Claims — Report appeared first on Reality Tea.
