In a shocking revelation, model Jennifer An has accused Kanye West of choking her during a music video shoot in 2010, describing the harrowing experience as terrifying and confusing. An, a former contestant on 2009's 'America's Next Top Model,' recounted the disturbing encounter in an exclusive interview on the BBC's 'Fame Under Fire' podcast.
As she stood on the set for the La Roux music video 'In For The Kill,' An alleges that West, now known as Ye, took control of the situation with an aggressive performance that left her feeling "suffocated and scared." West's representatives have not disputed that the incident occurred, instead characterizing it as a component of an "intense and provocative theatrical performance" meant to mimic a scene from the film 'American Psycho.'
"I was 24 and had no idea I would be working with Kanye on that shoot," An explained. After her career momentum from reality television, she had anticipated a routine music video shoot but instead faced an unexpected and unsettling situation. As the shoot unfolded, West reportedly shouted cut and demanded a shift in focus, pulling the crew's attention away from the planned scenes.
According to An, this abrupt change led to an intense moment where West allegedly began to choke her while simultaneously smearing makeup across her face. "All of a sudden, he just reaches a hand out and starts choking me, and I’m just not sure what’s happening," she recounted. An described his actions as feeling both invasive and exploitative, adding that he had inserted his fingers into her mouth in a manner that felt like a simulation of oral sex.
Witnesses present at the scene reportedly did not intervene during the incident, leaving An feeling isolated and vulnerable. "There were a lot of people on the shoot, and they were just staring at me," she said, detailing her sense of paralysis amid the chaos. An recalled feeling compelled to comply, fearing that resistance could jeopardize her career in the industry.
The unsettling encounter concluded with West proclaiming, "This is art, I’m Picasso," before abruptly leaving the set. An expressed her shock and disbelief, indicating that West had not spoken to her before, during, or after the incident.
The allegations come at a time when West is already mired in controversy due to his past offensive remarks and behavior. Despite recent apologies for his antisemitism and erratic actions, these latest claims have reignited discussions surrounding his influence and conduct within the entertainment industry.
The BBC has sought comments from Universal Music Group and La Roux's record label regarding the allegations, as the media watches closely to see how this legal battle unfolds.
For support related to this issue, individuals are encouraged to reach out to the resources provided by BBC Action Line.
Source: BBC News
Source: BBC Entertainment
