Kanye West: Model Jennifer An says she was ‘suffocated’ when rapper allegedly choked her on music video
The former America’s Next Top Model contestant is suing the controversial rapper, alleging he choked her and stuck his fingers into her mouth during filming of a music video.
A model has told UK media that she felt “suffocated, unsure and scared” after Kanye West allegedly choked her on the set of a music video.
Jennifer An is currently taking legal action against West - now known as Ye - over the 2010 incident.
She told the BBC that he attempted to simulate oral sex by placing his fingers in her mouth as well as choking her during filming for a cameo appearance in the music video for La Roux’s song In For The Kill.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.West’s legal team do not deny the encounter, instead arguing that his actions were meant to draw similarities with a scene from the film American Psycho in what they described as an “intense and provocative theatrical performance”.
An, who was 24 at the time, said that she was frozen during the shoot and that she had no prior knowledge that West would be part of the shoot at New York’s Chelsea Hotel.
Former America’s Next Top Model contestant An told the BBC’s Fame Under Fire Podcast that she was lined up with other models in the hallway ahead of the rapper’s arrival.
She was then chosen by West as one of three girls to appear in the scene with him.
She alleged that West made her sit in a chair in front of the camera as he sat behind her out of the shot before the music started and filming began.
“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
“And then, he pulled his other hand out and starts choking me with both hands, and then starts smearing my makeup all over my face and sticking his hands inside of my mouth.”
She alleged that West’s use of his fingers and hands in her mouth “simulated oral sex”.
An claimed crew members failed to intervene and her ordeal suddenly ended with West stating “This is art, I’m Picasso” before making his exit.
She filed her case against the troubled artist in 2024 under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act. It is yet to go to trial.
Lawyers for West have argued the actions were part of an expressive art performance and that An failed to object to them at the time in a motion to dismiss the case.
One of hip-hop’s biggest superstars in the 2000s and 2010s, West’s career has been since been derailed by his outbursts, anti-Semitic tirades and racially charged assertions. He has since blamed much of his erratic behaviour on what he maintains is a previously undiagnosed bipolar disorder as well as autism.
