Model Accuses Kanye West of Choking Her on Music Video Set

Sat Jun 13 2026 12:26:31 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Singer’s alleged assault sparks legal action and debate over consent and artistic boundaries.

Jennifer An, a former America’s Next Top Model contestant, accuses Kanye West—now rebranded as Ye—of choking and assaulting her during a 2010 La Roux music video shoot at New York’s Chelsea Hotel. The lawsuit, filed under New York’s Gender‑Motivated Violence Protection Act, highlights disagreements over consent, creative expression, and on‑set safety. West’s lawyers argue the incident was a theatrical homage to "American Psycho," while An’s representatives warn that treating art as a shield for misconduct could set a dangerous precedent.

Model Accuses Kanye West of Choking Her on Music Video Set

Jennifer An, a former contestant on America’s Next Top Model, claims that rapper Kanye West—now known as Ye—choked her and forced him’s hands into her mouth during a music‑video shoot for La Roux’s 2010 hit “In For The Kill.” The alleged incident took place at the historic Chelsea Hotel in New York, an event that leaked a year after An’s appearance on the reality series.

Alleged Encounter
An says that West entered the set, “whipped up a clutch of models in the hallway,” and picked three, including herself, to participate in his “creative” sequence. As filming proceeded, West allegedly “walked onto the set, pulled a chair in front of the camera and positioned himself in a chair behind the camera, facing An but out of shot.” She describes the unconsensual choking and the forced insertion of hands into her mouth, claiming the act was a misguided attempt to simulate an explicit scene from the film American Psycho.

Sue for Relief
An filed a civil lawsuit against West in 2024, citing the Gender‑Motivated Violence Protection Act, which temporarily extends the statute of limitations for sexual assault survivors. West’s lawyers argue the encounter was part of an “intense and provocative theatrical performance” and that An was a consenting participant. They also cite the First Amendment, claiming the act was protected as expressive art during production, and have filed a motion to dismiss the suit.

Reactions and Support
The incident prompted a broader conversation about consent on film and music‑video sets, with many calling for stricter safety protocols and clearer communication between artists and crew. An’s lawyer, Jesse Weinstein, warned that permitting artists to “perform whatever they want” in creative spaces could set a dangerous precedent. Meanwhile, La Roux’s Elly Jackson acknowledged the ordeal in an Instagram exchange with An, describing the situation as “horrific.”

Status of the Case
As of the latest reports, the lawsuit has yet to reach trial, and West has not responded to the BBC’s request for clarification about the alleged action on set. The court will ultimately decide if the alleged assault can be considered a criminal act or a protected artistic expression.

Image Source
The accompanying photo shows the music video shoot setting from the original source. Credit: Getty Images