Model Suing Kanye West Says Alleged Conduct on Music Video Set Left Her Feeling Unsafe
Jennifer An, the model and former America’s Next Top Model finalist who is suing Kanye West over an alleged incident that occurred during a music video shoot in 2010, is speaking publicly about her claims for the first time in a new interview with the BBC.
An, who filed a civil lawsuit against the rapper in 2024, alleges that West subjected her to unwanted physical contact while filming material intended for La Roux’s “In for the Kill” video. According to her recent interview, the encounter escalated unexpectedly and left her feeling frightened and powerless to intervene.
Speaking to the BBC, An said she was caught off guard by West’s behavior during the shoot and did not understand what was happening as the situation unfolded.
“All of a sudden he just reaches a hand out and starts choking me, and I’m just not sure what’s happening,” she said. An alleged that West then used both hands to choke her before smearing her makeup and placing his hands inside her mouth. She told the broadcaster that the experience left her feeling deeply uncomfortable and that the actions went far beyond anything she had expected while working on the production.
According to An, the footage was filmed as part of material intended for La Roux’s 2010 music video for “In for the Kill,” though the sequence ultimately did not appear in the final release. She claims West ended the interaction by declaring, “This is art, I’m Picasso,” before leaving the set.
The model also alleged that members of the production crew witnessed the incident but did not intervene. Looking back, she said she did not attempt to stop what was happening because she feared jeopardizing her career and losing work opportunities.
The allegations form the basis of the model's lawsuit filed last year under New York City's Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, legislation that temporarily expanded the statute of limitations for certain civil claims involving sexual misconduct and gender-based violence. The law opened a limited window for plaintiffs to pursue claims that otherwise may have been time-barred. West has denied wrongdoing and is seeking dismissal of the case.
His attorneys argue that the lawsuit stems from actions taken during the creation of an artistic work and therefore falls under constitutional protections for creative expression. Court filings submitted on his behalf characterize An as a willing participant in a staged performance and compare the disputed scene to imagery from the film American Psycho. His legal team has argued that the conduct described in the lawsuit occurred within the context of artistic production and does not constitute actionable misconduct.
Speaking to the BBC, Weinstein said framing the alleged conduct as artistic expression creates what he believes is a dangerous legal precedent. He has previously argued that the case is supported by substantial evidence, including witness accounts and contemporaneous communications that he says corroborate An’s version of events.
The lawsuit has also drawn attention because of comments allegedly made by members of the production team after the shoot. According to An, she later contacted La Roux in 2024 to discuss the incident. The musician allegedly responded in a private message, recalling West’s behavior and describing it as “horrific.” The footage in question was never included in the final version of the music video.
The case adds to a growing list of legal and public controversies that have surrounded West in recent years. Once one of the most influential figures in music, fashion, and popular culture, the artist has spent much of the past several years facing criticism over inflammatory public statements, legal disputes, and business fallout.
More recently, questions have emerged regarding his efforts to return to large-scale live performance. Political leaders and advocacy groups have criticized planned appearances tied to the rapper, pointing to a series of antisemitic remarks and other controversial statements that have generated widespread condemnation.
Until then, the dispute remains centered on two competing narratives: An’s allegation that she was subjected to unwanted and abusive conduct on a professional set, and West’s contention that the actions described were part of a protected artistic performance.
Representatives for La Roux and Universal Music have not publicly commented on the allegations.
