Yahoo News Megan Thee Stallion’s Attorney Denies Former Photographer’s Harassment Allegations: An ‘Attempt to Embarrass Her’
Megan Thee Stallion’s former photo and videographer alleges he was forced to witness her having sex with a woman in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles. Plaintiff Emilio Garcia is also accusing the Texas-born entertainer of harassment and a hostile work environment.
Garcia names Roc Nation (who manages Megan) and Megan’s touring and entrainment companies as defendants in the 42-page suit that alleges wage and hour violations. He claims Megan “berated and directed fat-shaming comments” towards him, citing direct quotes such as “Fat Bitch,” “Spit your food out,” and “You don’t need to be eating.”
More from Variety
Megan Thee Stallion's 'Hiss' Bows at No. 1 Following Feud With Nicki Minaj
Megan Thee Stallion Signs Distribution Deal With Warner Music Group, Will Remain Independent
Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion's Rap Beef Explained: From Diss Tracks to 'Big Foot' Single
In the lawsuit, Garcia details an obscene incident that was said to have occurred in Ibiza during June 2022: After a night out, Garcia recalls being with Megan and three other women in an SUV when Megan began to have sex next to him. He says Megan told him to never “discuss what you saw,” and that when they returned from the trip, his compensation structure was changed from “a monthly flat-rate to a pay-per-task” arrangement. The lawsuit alleges that Garcia was not allowed to work for anyone else and was denied overtime pay and breaks while he was working with Megan.
“Stallion’s misclassification of his employment status left him without basic insurance coverage, depriving him of essential health care,” the lawsuit states. “[Garcia] grapples with mounting anxiety, depression, and physical distress stemming from the toxic work environment, compounded by
the trauma of unpaid work.”
An attorney for Megan Thee Stallion, Alex Spiro, said Tuesday: “This is an employment claim for money — with no sexual harassment claim filed and with salacious accusations to attempt to embarrass her. We will deal with this in court.”
Garcia is being represented by Ron Zambrano, the lawyer representing numerous dancers accusing Lizzo of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. In that suit, three of Lizzo’s former dancers say they were pressured — due to fear of losing their jobs — to touch nude dancers during a live sex show in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. They also accuse Lizzo of racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment.
A representative for Zambrano did not immediately return Variety‘s request for comment but in a statement to NBC, who first broke the story, said: “Megan just needs to pay our client what he’s due, own up to her behavior and quit this sort of sexual harassment and fat shaming conduct.”
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
