The-Dream, one of the most successful songwriters and producers in modern R&B music, has been accused of rape, sexual assault and trafficking in a new federal lawsuit.
The complaint obtained by Urban Hollywood 411 was filed on Tuesday, June 4, in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on behalf of Chanaaz Mangroe (also known as Channii Monroe) — a former protégé of the musician.
The-Dream, 46, was born Terius Adamu Ya Gesteelde-Diamant (a.k.a. Terius Nash).
He is best known for writing hit songs for Beyoncé, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Ciara, Britney Spears, Kanye West and Justin Bieber, and his own single “I Luv Your Girl” (featuring Jeezy). The-Dream won multiple Grammy Awards for his work as a producer/songwriter on Beyoncé’s 2022 Renaissance album.
Mangroe, 33, is from the Netherlands and was in the U.S. on a work visa in hopes of pursuing a career as a singer and songwriter when she met The-Dream. Her 60-page lawsuit says she was 23 years old when the hitmaker’s associates reached out to her via social media in 2014, after watching videos of her music online.
Related: Diddy Faces New Lawsuit Alleging He Drugged and Assaulted Model in 2003
The complaint says Mangroe was invited to join The-Dream and his production partner in Atlanta.
The filing claims The-Dream guaranteed her hit songs if she became part of his so-called “sanctuary,” similar to his collaborators Rihanna and Beyoncé. The suit also claims he promised to book Mangroe as an opening act on Beyoncé’s upcoming tour, which the aspiring singer said she later learned was a lie.
Instead of making Mangroe a star, the lawsuit alleges The-Dream introduced her to a “sadistic world” and made her life a nightmare.
“Under the guise of pursuing a legitimate recording and publishing contract with Ms. Mangroe, Dream lured the young and vulnerable artist into an abusive, violent, and manipulative relationship filled with physical assaults, violent sexual encounters, and horrific psychological manipulation,” the lawsuit states.
The complaint claims the hitmaker promised to sponsor an extended work visa for Mangroe, so she could legally remain in the U.S., but it was only to control her.
“Dream controlled all aspects of Ms. Mangroe’s stay in the United States, including where she could live, who she could speak to, what she could eat, and where she could go,” the suit says.
Among the other allegations, “Dream locked Ms. Mangroe in a dark room adjacent to a recording studio, violently having sex with her and then leaving her alone, naked in the dark, for hours on end, returning to again have sex with her and demand that she tell him she loved him.”
The up-and-coming singer goes on to allege:
– The-Dream “raped” her in the back of a van
– “Strangled and choked her to point of almost losing consciousness.”
– “Forced her to drink excessive amounts of alcohol by physically pulling her head back and pouring alcohol down her throat”
-Cheated on his pregnant wife with Mangroe
-Demanded she stop using birth control, apparently hoping she would have his child, even though he is already a father of nine
– Allegedly committed “sex trafficking of Ms. Mangroe by requiring her to engage in forced sexual acts in multiple jurisdictions”
– “Dream recorded Ms. Mangroe during sexual acts and used the existence of the recording to threaten Ms. Mangroe into silence”
Mangroe additionally names Epic Records and The-Dream’s label Contra Paris LLC as defendants. She is seeking a jury trial and damages for lost wages, mental pain, anguish and emotional distress, as well as attorneys fees.
In a statement to the New York Times, The-Dream denied the allegations in the lawsuit.
“These claims are untrue and defamatory,” he said. “I oppose all forms of harassment and have always strived to help people realize 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.”
Epic Records did not respond to the outlet’s request for comment.
Mangroe is represented by New York-based attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and Meredith Firetog, who represented Cassie Ventura in her sexual abuse lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Mangroe’s legal team also includes Los Angeles law firm Girard Bengali, APC.
“This is yet another horrific example of how men in the music industry use their power and influence to manipulate and harm others,” Wigdor and Firetog said in a statement to Urban Hollywood 411. “While she will never fully recover from what he and those who supported him did to her, her willingness to speak out now is evidence of her extraordinary strength. We are honored to represent her.”
In her own statement, Mangroe added: “Choosing to speak out about the trauma I survived has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life, but ultimately, what Dream did to me made it impossible to live the life I envisioned for myself and pursue my goals as a singer and songwriter.”
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