Soulja Boy, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, took the stand in his own defence during a civil trial in California on Tuesday, denying serious allegations made by a woman who claims he assaulted and imprisoned her. The woman, who filed the lawsuit under a Jane Doe pseudonym, alleges that Way beat, raped, and held her against her will while she worked for him as a personal assistant beginning in 2019.
The rapper, best known for his viral hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” was adamant in his testimony that he never assaulted the woman, calling the accusations “disgusting” and “crazy.” His defence attorney, Rickey Ivie, walked Way through his version of events, refuting claims made by Doe about the nature of their relationship.
The Allegations: What Happened During Their Two-Year Relationship?
The woman’s testimony earlier in the trial included disturbing details of what she describes as a two-year period of abuse. According to her, the first incident occurred during a police raid at Way’s home in February 2019. She alleged that while police were executing a search warrant, Way pulled her into a bathroom, spun her around, and raped her while she froze in shock. Doe claims that she did not report the incident to the authorities at the time because she feared for her life and the safety of her family.
Over the following months, the woman testified that she was regularly assaulted by Way, who allegedly beat her, deprived her of food, locked her in rooms, and verbally abused her. She claimed to have lost 54 pounds, dropping from 140 to 86 pounds, during this period.
“I feared for my life,” she testified tearfully. “I didn’t want to be there anymore. I just wanted to go home.”
Soulja Boy’s Denials and Contradictions
On the stand, Way vehemently denied any claims of physical or sexual assault. He acknowledged a sexual encounter with Doe but insisted that it was consensual. During the raid in February 2019, Way testified that he asked her if she wanted to have sex, and she agreed.
“I asked her if she wanted to have sex, and she was engaged in it,” he said. “She didn’t push me or say stop, nothing like that.”
When asked about further allegations from the woman, such as punching her in the mouth or forcing her to perform oral sex, Way responded, “Of course not, and that’s a disgusting allegation. It sounds crazy to me. I did not do that.”
Way also addressed his previous public reference to the woman as his “assistant,” even though she was allegedly living with him and sometimes providing personal services. When questioned about a video in which he called out for his assistant while shopping, Way explained that he used the term to avoid referring to her as a “blunt roller” in public, despite their more intimate relationship.
Evidence of Abuse and Support from Law Enforcement
Doe’s legal team presented evidence that suggested a pattern of coercion and mistreatment. Text messages exchanged between the woman and Way suggested a tense and strained dynamic, with the woman regularly purchasing items for him and being berated when things went wrong.
The woman’s abuse claims were initially reported to the police in December 2020, but prosecutors in the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence. This decision came after a thorough review of the case, which ultimately left the woman to pursue a civil suit for damages, accusing Way of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, emotional distress, unpaid overtime, and creating a hostile work environment.
Further Legal Trouble for Soulja Boy
In addition to the current trial, Way has faced accusations of abuse in the past. Former girlfriends Kayla Myers and model Nia Riley have also claimed that Way assaulted them during their relationships. Riley, the daughter of musician Teddy Riley, publicly stated in 2021 that Way had threatened her with a gun and kicked her in the stomach while she was pregnant, which led to a miscarriage. In a separate case, a Jane Doe filed a lawsuit in 2021 with similar allegations, resulting in a default judgment, which Way is currently disputing.
Myers, another of Way’s ex-girlfriends, also accused him of holding a gun to her head, threatening her life, and assaulting her. A jury in a civil court trial found Way liable for assault and kidnapping related to the incident.
The Ongoing Trial and What’s at Stake
The current civil trial, which began on March 13, is expected to reach closing arguments by Thursday. In her lawsuit, Doe is seeking financial compensation for the pain and suffering she endured, as well as for the emotional trauma caused by Way’s alleged actions.
As Soulja Boy continues to deny all the accusations, the trial has become a high-profile case that has brought attention to issues of abuse, consent, and accountability in the entertainment industry.
For many, the trial is not just about one man’s fate, but about bringing attention to the broader issue of how power dynamics in relationships, particularly in the entertainment world, can lead to mistreatment and abuse. The outcome of this trial will likely have far-reaching implications for both Soulja Boy’s career and the conversation surrounding abuse in celebrity culture.
Conclusion
The civil trial involving Soulja Boy and the allegations of abuse and assault by his former personal assistant is an ongoing case that continues to captivate public attention. As the trial progresses, the rapper’s denials and the woman’s heartbreaking testimony underscore the complexities of power, consent, and manipulation in relationships, especially when one party holds significant fame and influence.
As we await closing arguments, the case raises important questions about accountability and justice, particularly when the accused is a public figure with a history of controversial behaviour.
