Rap mogul 50 Cent is taking legal action against his ex-girlfriend Daphne Joy, accusing her of making false allegations of sexual assault in an attempt to damage his reputation and business interests. The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, filed a defamation lawsuit against Joy on Monday in New York Supreme Court.
The lawsuit stems from Joy’s claims in March that Jackson had “rap[ed] [her] and physically abus[ed] [her]” during their relationship from 2011 to 2013. Joy, a model and actress, made the explosive allegations in an Instagram post, stating “You are no longer my oppressor and my God will handle you from this point on.”
In his complaint, Jackson vehemently denies the accusations, calling them a “calculated attempt to destroy his personal and business reputation.” He alleges Joy made the false claims in retaliation after he sought sole custody of their 12-year-old son Sire amid an ongoing custody battle.
Jackson states that Joy’s “false and defamatory statements” have “subjected [him] to extensive public ridicule, hatred, and contempt.” As a result, the multi-platinum rapper is seeking punitive damages for the “severe harm” caused by the allegations against his character and brand.
This isn’t the first time Joy has faced accusations relating to her past relationships. In March, she was named as an alleged “sex worker” in a lawsuit filed against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs as part of a sex trafficking investigation, though she vehemently denied those claims.
The defamation case adds another layer of drama to the contentious split between Jackson and Joy. The former couple has been embroiled in a bitter custody dispute over Sire since their 2013 breakup.
In a statement previously released to media, Jackson said the “disturbing allegations” required him “to take all necessary legal actions to protect” his son, adding “My son Sire is my main priority and keeping him in a safe environment is my only focus at this time.”
Sexual assault allegations have been particularly damaging for celebrities in the #MeToo era. By accusing Joy of fabricating her claims to sabotage his reputation and business interests, Jackson is taking an aggressive stance to defend himself and undoubtedly hopes to mitigate any lasting impacts on his lucrative brand partnerships and media empire.
With both sides seemingly entrenched in their positions, the high-stakes legal battle appears poised to get even uglier as it plays out in the public eye. The ultimate resolution could have major implications not just for the former couple, but in defining the boundaries of what constitutes defamation when allegations of abuse emerge in a high-conflict custody case.