A fresh legal storm is building around rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, after a model accused him of choking her and forcing inappropriate contact during a 2010 music video shoot.
Jennifer An, a former contestant on America’s Next Top Model, told the BBC she felt “suffocated, unsure and scared” during the alleged encounter, which she said took place while West was filming a cameo appearance for La Roux’s In For The Kill music video at the Chelsea Hotel in New York.
An is now suing the rapper over the incident.
Jennifer An’s allegation against Kanye West
An alleged that West choked her and put his fingers in her mouth in a manner she said simulated oral sex while cameras were rolling on the set.
She claimed she had not been told in advance that West would be present for the shoot and was given no clear direction before the alleged incident unfolded.
“All of a sudden he just reaches a hand out and starts choking me… and then starts smearing my makeup all over my face and sticking his hands inside of my mouth,” An told the BBC’s Fame Under Fire podcast.
According to her, the encounter left her frozen and afraid, especially as crew members allegedly watched without intervening.
Kanye West’s lawyers deny assault claim
West’s lawyers have not denied that the encounter took place.
They, however, argued that it was part of an “intense and provocative theatrical performance” intended to imitate a scene from the film American Psycho.
They also claimed An did not object, leave the scene or express lack of consent during the filming.
The legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the alleged actions occurred during an expressive artistic performance.
Model says she felt unable to stop Kanye West
An said she did not stop West because she was shocked and feared the possible effect on her job.
She said West did not speak to her before, during or after the alleged encounter.
The model also alleged that the incident ended after West reportedly said, “This is art, I’m Picasso,” before leaving the set.
West did not appear in the final released version of the In For The Kill music video, although he featured as a guest rapper on a remix of the song.
La Roux singer backs model’s account
An later contacted La Roux singer Elly Jackson, who allegedly confirmed remembering the incident in Instagram messages now submitted as part of the court evidence.
Jackson reportedly described the encounter as “horrific” and said West “knew exactly what he was doing.”
The BBC said it had contacted West’s representatives and Universal Music Group for further comment.
Lawsuit filed under New York gender violence law
An filed the civil lawsuit in 2024 under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which temporarily extended the time limit for survivors of sexual assault to bring legal claims.
Her lawyer, Jesse Weinstein, warned that allowing artists to justify such conduct as performance could set a dangerous precedent.
He said it would be unsafe for creative spaces if powerful figures could “do whatever they want” to others and escape responsibility by calling it art.
The case has not yet gone to trial.
