Model Claims Kanye West Choked Her During 2010 Music‑Video Shoot

An 24‑year‑old model and former contestant on America’s Next Top Model, Jennifer An, says she was subjected to a non‑consensual assault on the set of La Roux’s 2010 single in For the Kill.

Allegation Overview

According to An, a recording crew was in the middle of filming the music video when Kanye West walked onto the set. The rapper allegedly told the crew he would take over the shoot, selected three female participants—including An—then proceeded to choke her. The model reports that West’s hands were placed in her mouth as if emulating a scene from the film American Psycho. She described the experience as "suffocated, unsure and scared".

Legal Proceedings

In 2024, An filed a civil lawsuit against West in New York City under the Gender‑Motivated Violence Protection Act, an extension of the statute of limitations for sexual assault survivors. The suit alleges non‑consensual sexual assault during a purportedly artistic act. In response, West’s attorneys have argued that the encounter was "an intense, provocative theatrical performance" and that the plaintiff was a consenting participant.

Reactions and Comments

West has not yet responded to the BBC’s request for clarification. An’s lawyer, Jesse Weinstein, has warned that allowing artists to claim artistic freedom in such a setting could set a dangerous precedent for future misconduct. The lawsuit remains pending, with a motion to dismiss filed by West’s team earlier this year.

Context and Additional Details

An notes that the crew present on the set did not intervene when the alleged assault took place, citing a freeze‑action and stillness in response. She also shares that La Roux later apologized to her via Instagram, confirming the assault’s occurrence and expressing a perception that West thought it was simply a joke. The case continues to draw public attention amid broader scrutiny of Kanye West’s public conduct and past controversies.