Content warning: This post discusses allegations of rape.
Chris Brown is being sued for allegedly drugging and raping a woman on a yacht in Florida in a little over a year ago.
As Rolling Stone reports, the unidentified woman – a professional choreographer, dancer, model and musician – and a friend were invited onto the yacht, docked at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Star Island home in Miami, in December of 2020 by a male friend. Brown allegedly grabbed the phone and told the woman to head over, saying he had heard her music.
After she boarded, it’s claimed Brown discussed the woman’s music with her and offered “tips about starting a career in the music industry.” After Brown gave her a drink, the woman allegedly become “disoriented, physically unstable, and started to fall in and out of sleep.”
According to the lawsuit, the woman was then led to a bedroom where Brown allegedly closed the door, stopped her from leaving, and raped her, ejaculating inside of her. It’s claimed she left with a friend shortly after, and that Brown called her the next day saying he was “faded” and did not remember details around their interactions, but allegedly demanded she take Plan B.
The civil suit, filed in a Los Angeles County Court last Thursday (27th January), accuses Brown of sexual assault, battery, rape, violation of the gender violence statute and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She is seeking $20 million in damages from the R&B singer.
While Brown has not directly addressed the suit, he appeared to acknowledge it on Instagram shortly after news broke. “I hope y’all see this pattern of [cap],” he wrote on his stories. “Whenever I’m releasing music or projects, ‘THEY’ try to pull some real bullshit.”
Brown has previously faced multiple charges of violence towards women. In 2009, he was convicted of felony domestic assault against his then-partner Rihanna.
In 2017, his ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran received a five-year restraining order against the singer after claiming he had been physically abusive on two separate occasions. Tran also accused Brown of threatening her, claiming he “told a few people that he was going to kill me” and said that he was going to “take me out” and “shoot me.” Last year, an investigation into Brown was launched after it was claimed he struck a woman in the back of her head, but it was later dropped due to “insufficient evidence”.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing sexual assault or abuse, contact Respect for support on 1800 737 732.
