Kanye West Accused of Choking Model During La Roux Music Video Shoot

Sat Jun 13 2026 12:38:27 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A former American’s Next Top Model contestant claims Kanye West choked her on a music video set, sparking a lawsuit and a debate over art versus assault.

Jennifer An, once on American’s Next Top Model, alleges that Kanye West, then under the name Ye, choked her and invaded her personal space while filming La Roux’s “Into The Kill” music video in 2010. She says the assault left her feeling suffocated, unsure and terrified. West’s legal team argues that the act was an artistic homage to American Psycho and part of a provocative performance. An has filed a civil suit under New York’s Gender‑Motivated Violence Protection Act, demanding legal accountability. The case remains pending as the record label and Kanye West have yet to respond.

Kanye West Accused of Choking Model During La Roux Music Video Shoot

Jennifer An, a former contestant on America’s Next Top Model, tells the BBC’s Fame Under Fire podcast that during a 2010 music‑video shoot for La Roux’s "Into The Kill," Kanye West (now known as Ye) allegedly choked her and forced his fingers into her mouth. "I felt suffocated, unsure and scared," she says.

An was 24 when hired to appear in the video at the Chelsea Hotel in New York. According to her, the crew was on the set, filming, when West arrived, took over, and chose her and two other models to join him. He allegedly knocked out her breathing, smeared her makeup, and gave her oral‑sexual touches while shouting lines about art and “Picasso”.

An claims she had no consent or instruction, and the other cast members remained silent. She tried to stop him, but was frozen by fear of losing her job. The encounter has now become the basis of a civil suit filed under New York City’s Gender‑Motivated Violence Protection Act.

West’s lawyers deny the assault and argue the actions were part of an "intense, provocative theatrical performance" meant to echo the film American Psycho. They claim An was a consenting participant and that the scene was an homage to creepy art and performance art.

The lawsuit also involves statements from La Roux’s Elly Jackson, who apologized and confirmed the encounter was horrific. An sent the conversation to the court as evidence. The case has not yet gone to trial, and both the record label and Kanye West have not provided a full response.

The lawsuit is raising questions about the border between artistically inspired actions and sexual assault. An’s lawyers say it is dangerous precedent if artists can ignore consent under the shield of art. West’s lawyers assert the First Amendment protects expressive art performed on a creative set.

This story continues to unfold as the legal battle progresses, asking the public whether artists can turn harassment into performance and how accountability is enforced in the entertainment industry.