The-Dream has been accused of rape, physical abuse and “horrific psychological manipulation” in a lawsuit filed to federal court yesterday (June 4).
The singer-songwriter (real name Terius Gesteelde-Diamant) has been responsible for smash hits such as ‘Umbrella’, ‘Single Ladies’ and ‘Baby’. He was accused of using his professional stature against Chanaaz Mangroe, who filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court’s Central District of California.
Mangroe, who performs under the name Channii Monroe, alleged that Gesteelde-Diamant “lured the young and vulnerable artist into an abusive, violent, and manipulative relationship filled with physical assaults, violent sexual encounters, and horrific psychological manipulation.”
She further claimed Gesteelde-Diamant recorded sexual acts with her, then “used the existence of the recording to threaten Ms. Mangroe into silence.” Gesteelde-Diamant was also accused of forcing Mangroe to drink “excessive amounts of alcohol”, along with choking her to the point where she “almost lost consciousness”.
According to the lawsuit, Gesteelde-Diamant would tell Monroe “he would make her the next Beyoncé and Rihanna”, allegedly using it as incentive to tolerate his behaviour. “Dream led Ms. Mangroe to believe through manipulation and coercion that if she allowed him to completely control every aspect of her life, they could create the ultimate ‘sanctuary’ that would surpass anything he accomplished with Beyoncé or Rihanna,” the lawsuit reads.
Mangroe is seeking damages for “lost wages” and for “mental pain and anguish and severe emotional distress”.
In a statement to the New York Times, Gesteelde-Diamant said: “These claims are untrue and defamatory. I oppose all forms of harassment and have always strived to help people realise their career goals. 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.”
The-Dream was previously arrested over the alleged assault of his ex-girlfriend, Lydia Nam, in 2014.
Nam, who filed a police report in November after the incident took place in April, claims Gesteelde-Diamant “punched, kicked, and strangled her while she was pregnant with his son”. The alleged assault reportedly took place at New York’s Plaza Hotel in April 2013, three months before the birth of their son.
The musician voluntarily turned himself in to the police and was released on bail. Following his arrest, his representative at the time stated: “Dream voluntarily surrendered to the Midtown North Precinct this morning in order to responsibly address the false allegations filed against him by Lydia Nam. He is innocent of the charges filed against him today.”
According to The New York Times, prosecutors dropped the case the following year as they could not prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
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