The-Dream, a renowned musician and producer responsible for creating major hits with artists like Beyoncé and Rihanna, has been sued by a former protégé for allegations of sex trafficking, sexual battery, and rape.
The plaintiff, Chanaaz Mangroe, also known as Channii Monroe, claimed in the lawsuit filed on Tuesday that The-Dream manipulated her into an abusive and violent relationship under the guise of offering a legitimate recording and publishing contract. This relationship allegedly involved physical assaults, violent sexual encounters, and psychological manipulation.
Mangroe detailed instances of the producer strangling her, coercing her into sexual acts, and using recordings of their intimate encounters to silence her. The lawsuit also implicates The-Dream’s record label, Contra Paris LLC, and Epic Records, alleging that they facilitated his depraved behavior.
In response to the lawsuit, The-Dream has denied the claims, calling them untrue and defamatory. He emphasized his commitment to opposing harassment and helping artists achieve their career goals.
Dream, whose real name is Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer credited with iconic hits in the pop and R&B genres. The lawsuit by Mangroe sheds light on The-Dream’s alleged history of misogyny and violence towards women, citing past domestic violence incidents.
Mangroe’s lawsuit narrates how she met The-Dream and was led to believe that her dreams of a music career were within reach, only to endure a nightmare of coercion, violence, and manipulation. She describes being pressured into sexual activities by The-Dream as a means to advance her music career.
The plaintiff alleges disturbing accounts of sexual encounters with The-Dream, including instances of violence, coercion, and threats. She asserts that the defendants, including the record labels, were complicit in enabling and benefiting from trafficking her for exploitative purposes.
Mangroe’s legal team, led by Douglas H. Wigdor and Meredith Firetog, draws parallels to other cases in the music industry, highlighting a pattern of powerful men using their influence to harm others. Mangroe’s courage in coming forward is praised as a step towards seeking justice and preventing future abuses.
In her statement, Mangroe expresses the difficulty of speaking out but emphasizes the importance of sharing her story to heal and prevent similar abuses. She seeks a monetary judgment for damages incurred due to The-Dream’s alleged abuse.
