Model Accuses Kanye West of Choking Her During 2010 Music Video Shoot
Jennifer An, who gained fame as a contestant on America’s Next Top Model, says she was forced to endure a choking stunt by the rapper Kanye West during a 2010 music‑video shoot for La Roux’s track ‘In For The Kill.’ The alleged incident took place at the Chelsea Hotel in New York.
Scene of the alleged assault
An recounts that she had been hired to appear in the video, not knowing that West would be on set. When the shoot began, a crew halted work and announced that West had arrived. He allegedly selected three models, including An, to stand in front of the camera. Instead of filming a planned set, West reportedly pulled a chair in front of the camera and positioned himself out of view, then, according to An, “began choking her” and placed his hands inside her mouth in a manner she describes as a simulated oral sex act.
She claimed she felt suffocated, unsure and scared, and that the crew did not intervene. West’s lawyers deny the act was violent, stating it was simply part of an “intense and provocative theatrical performance” that was meant to emulate scenes from the film American Psycho.
Legal claims and defenses
An has sued West under New York’s Gender‑Motivated Violence Protection Act, which temporarily extends the statute of limitations for sexual‑assault survivors. In a separate filing, West’s attorneys filed for dismissal, asserting that the encounter was protected by the First Amendment as an artistic act and that An had not objected to the conduct.
Alternative allegations from An’s lawyer, Jesse Weinstein, note that allowing artists to claim creative freedom for potentially abusive acts would set a dangerous precedent. In the meantime, the case has not yet entered the courtroom.
Reactions from involved parties
La Roux’s lead singer, Elly Jackson, sent An an Instagram message confirming that West had performed the act knowingly and “thought it was funny.” The line exchange included a sarcastic comment about “putting women backwards.” An has also stated that West never appeared in the final edited version of the music video, although his appearance was later included in a remix track. La Roux has yet to respond to BBC’s inquiry for additional comment.
West’s representatives have declined to comment on the allegations, and his lawyers have not responded to requests for clarification on whether he sought authorization from An before the purported act.
