The-Dream Accused Of Rape, Battery And Trafficking By Former Protégée: 'My Silence Has Become Too Painful'
Singer and producer The-Dream has recently been accused of physical and sexual abuse, according to a lawsuit filed in a California federal court on June 4.
The suit, filed by Chanaaz Mangroe, also known as Channii Monroe, includes accusations of abuse, violence, and manipulation. The filing lists the musician, born Terius Adamu Ya Gesteelde-Diamant, his label Contra Paris LLC, and Epic Records.
According to 'Variety,' Mangroe claimed she was introduced to The-Dream in 2014 when she was 23 while working in the states on an international visa. Born in the Netherlands, Mangroe arrived as an aspiring singer and songwriter.
The 33-year-old claims that associates close to the hitmaker reached out to her via social media asking her to join his musical partner Tricky Stewart in Atlanta, Georgia. After The-Dream allegedly presented her with offers — including writing songs for her, a spot on Beyoncé's tour, and sponsorship — things reportedly took a turn for the worse.
The filing states, per the media outlet, that The-Dream allegedly began to control all aspects of her life in the U.S., tracking her location, texting her around the clock, forcing her to drink copious amounts of alcohol, and strangling her during violent sex to the point of losing consciousness.
Other accounts of abuse listed in the filing include his alleged refusal to wear protection during intercourse and berating her during intercourse, which he allegedly filmed in order to use the footage against her. She also claimed that he forcibly raped her the same evening he forced her to perform sexual acts in a public movie theatre.
Per the media outlet, Epic Records and Contra Paris are listed in the lawsuit due to The-Dream reportedly convincing them to fund Mangroe's career, but reportedly never followed through with support.
"Choosing to speak out about the trauma I survived has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life, but ultimately, what Dream did to me made it impossible to live the life I envisioned for myself and pursue my goals as a singer and songwriter," Mangroe said in a statement obtained by 'Variety'.
"Ultimately, my silence has become too painful, and I realized that I need to tell my story to heal. I hope that doing so will also help others and prevent future horrific abuse," she concluded.
The-Dream, who has worked with A-list artists including Beyoncé and Rihanna, told 'The New York Times' her "claims are untrue and defamatory."
"I oppose all forms of harassment and have always strived to help people realize their career goals," the 46-year-old said. "As someone committed to making a positive impact on my fellow artists and the world at large, I am deeply offended and saddened by these accusations."
