Current:Home > FinanceSurpassing Quant Think Tank Center|Megan Thee Stallion sued by former cameraman, accused of harassment and weight-shaming -GrowthInsight
Surpassing Quant Think Tank Center|Megan Thee Stallion sued by former cameraman, accused of harassment and weight-shaming
NovaQuant View
Date:2025-04-10 03:26:59
Megan Thee Stallion is Surpassing Quant Think Tank Centerfacing a lawsuit from a former cameraman who has accused the rapper of subjecting him to sexual harassment and weight-shaming comments.
Emilio Garcia, who worked as a personal cameraman for Megan Thee Stallion from 2018 to 2023, sued the "Hot Girl Summer" rapper in Los Angeles, accusing her of harassment and creating a hostile work environment, according to a copy of the complaint obtained by USA TODAY on Tuesday.
NBC News first reported the suit.
In one incident, Garcia alleged that Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, had sex with a woman beside him while they were in an SUV together after a night out in June 2022. He "was embarrassed, mortified and offended throughout the whole ordeal," and the next day, the rapper allegedly told him to never "discuss what you saw," the lawsuit claims.
In an interview with NBC News published Tuesday, Garcia said he "felt uncomfortable" and "was kind of frozen" and "shocked" during the alleged incident in the car, adding that he couldn't believe the "audacity to do this right, right beside me."
He also said he felt "degraded" by the rapper's alleged fat-shaming remarks and was surprised to hear them coming from "someone who advocates about loving your body."
Megan Thee Stallion's lawyer says lawsuit is 'an employment claim for money'
Additionally, the suit accuses Megan Thee Stallion of making fat-shaming comments toward Garcia, including telling him to "spit your food out" and that "you don't need to be eating." The "barrage of relentless sexual and fat-shaming comments" plunged Garcia "into profound emotional distress," the lawsuit states.
A lawyer for Megan Thee Stallion said in a statement to USA TODAY Tuesday evening that the lawsuit is "an employment claim for money − with no sexual harassment claim filed and with salacious accusations to attempt to embarrass her."
Megan Thee Stallionreflects on Tory Lanez verdict in powerful essay: 'We must protect all women'
"We will deal with this in court," attorney Alex Spiro added.
Garcia claims in the suit that the "harassment was so severe or pervasive," creating a "hostile, abusive work environment."
Emilio Garcia alleges he was weight-shamed by Megan Thee Stallion and retaliated against
After the SUV incident, Roc Nation allegedly altered Garcia's compensation structure in August 2022 in a way that resulted in him earning "significantly less."
Garcia also "noticed a change in how he was treated and saw a decrease in the number of bookings he received" from Megan Thee Stallion, the lawsuit says.
According to the suit, Garcia was told by Roc Nation that his "services would no longer be required" by Megan Thee Stallion in June 2023 after he had contemplated quitting due to the rapper's "possessiveness combined with lack of appropriate pay for the amount of time asked of him."
Garcia alleges his firing was "in retaliation for his complaints of wage and hour violations," and his suit states he was misclassified as an independent contractor during his time working for Megan Thee Stallion. He now "grapples with mounting anxiety, depression, and physical distress stemming from the toxic work environment, compounded by the trauma of unpaid work," the suit alleges.
Lizzo lawsuit:Singer sued by dancers for 'demoralizing' weight shaming, sexual harassment
Emilio Garcia repped by lawyer who represented dancers who sued Lizzo
Garcia is represented by Ron Zambrano, an attorney who previously represented dancers who sued Lizzo for harassment last year. The "About Damn Time" singer has denied those allegations.
In a statement provided to USA TODAY, Zambrano said that Megan Thee Stallion "just needs to pay our client what he's due, own up to her behavior and quit this sort of sexual harassment and fat shaming conduct," adding, "Emilio should never have been put in a position of having to be in the vehicle with her while she had sex with another woman. 'Inappropriate' is putting it lightly. Exposing this behavior to employees is definitely illegal."
veryGood! (9589)
Related
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Urgent Climate Action Required to Protect Tens of Thousands of Species Worldwide, New Research Shows
- Americans with disabilities need an updated long-term care plan, say advocates
- RHONJ Preview: See Dolores Catania's Boyfriend Paul Connell Drop an Engagement Bombshell
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Trump seeks new trial or reduced damages in E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse case
- Treat Mom to Kate Spade Bags, Jewelry & More With These Can't-Miss Mother's Day Deals
- Nate Paul, businessman linked to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment, charged in federal case
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- FDA gives safety nod to 'no kill' meat, bringing it closer to sale in the U.S.
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Feds Pour Millions into Innovative Energy Storage Projects in New York
- Climate Forum Reveals a Democratic Party Remarkably Aligned with Science on Zero Emissions
- Depression And Alzheimer's Treatments At A Crossroads
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Even remote corners of Africa are feeling the costly impacts of war in Ukraine
- Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Wedding Shop Has You Covered for the Big Day and Beyond
- Sia Marries Dan Bernard During Intimate Italian Ceremony: See the Wedding Photos
Recommendation
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
Coastal Real Estate Worth Billions at Risk of Chronic Flooding as Sea Level Rises
Uganda ends school year early as it tries to contain growing Ebola outbreak
Cornell suspends frat parties after reports of drugged drinks and sexual assault
South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
Teen Activists Worldwide Prepare to Strike for Climate, Led by Greta Thunberg
FDA gives safety nod to 'no kill' meat, bringing it closer to sale in the U.S.
Too many Black babies are dying. Birth workers in Kansas fight to keep them alive