What's the controversy surrounding lawsuit against Megan Thee Stallion
What's the story
American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, has found herself at the center of a raging controversy.
Emilio Garcia, a former personal cameraman who worked with her, filed a lawsuit against her in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday, accusing her of fostering a "hostile and abusive work environment."
Garcia alleges he was compelled to witness the singer engaging in sexual activities with another woman while traveling abroad.
Allegations
Garcia claims singer initiated sexual activities with another woman
Garcia began working as the Grammy winner's personal cameraman in 2018, leaving his previous job in 2019 to work exclusively for her until June 2023.
The lawsuit details an incident that took place during a trip to Ibiza, Spain, in June 2022.
Garcia claims he was confined in an SUV with the singer and three women when the rapper initiated sexual activities with one of the women beside him.
Garcia was threatened to never share the details of the incident.
Claims
Garcia felt 'uncomfortable' and 'shocked' after the incident
In an interview with NBC News, Garcia shared his discomfort about the incident, stating: "I felt uncomfortable. I was kind of frozen, and I was shocked."
The lawsuit also accuses Stallion of body-shaming Garcia during the same trip by making derogatory comments related to his weight and eating habits, leaving him feeling "degraded."
Garcia's "working conditions" were "intolerable" because of the "hostile, abusive work environment."
She reportedly even asked him to "spit his food out."
Payment woes
Garcia's payment method was changed after the Ibiza trip
Upon returning from Spain, Garcia's payment method was changed from a fixed monthly salary to a task-based system, requiring him to invoice for each assignment.
Despite this change, he alleges his workload remained the same and experienced reduced bookings after the Ibiza trip.
The lawsuit states that on the eve of a scheduled job in June 2023, Roc Nation (the entertainment company that manages her) abruptly informed him that Stallion no longer required his services.
Compensation
Garcia is seeking compensation for unpaid wages, interest, unpaid overtime
The lawsuit further alleges that Garcia was incorrectly classified as an independent contractor, leaving him without basic insurance coverage and essential healthcare.
He is seeking compensation for unpaid wages, interest on these wages, unpaid overtime, other employee benefits at the legal rate, statutory penalties, wage penalties under California labor laws, punitive damages according to proof, and costs he incurred, including attorneys' fees.
Moreover, the fat-shaming "plunged him into profound emotional distress."
Demands
'Megan needs to own up to her behavior'
Garcia's legal team demanded, "Megan just needs to pay our client what he's due, own up to her behavior, and quit this sort of sexual harassment and fat-shaming conduct."
"Emilio should never have been put in a position of having to be in the vehicle with her while she had sex with another woman. 'Inappropriate' is putting it lightly. Exposing this behavior to employees is definitely illegal."
Information
Meanwhile, Stallion's legal team has issued a brief statement
Responding to the lawsuit, Stallion's lawyer, Alex Spiro said, "This is an employment claim for money—with no sexual harassment claim filed and with salacious accusations to attempt to embarrass her. We will deal with this in court."