Kanye West Accuser Jennifer An Speaks Out on Alleged 2010 Assault as Legal Battle Continues

Jennifer An, a model and former America’s Next Top Model contestant, has publicly revisited allegations that Kanye West, now known as Ye, sexually assaulted her during a music video shoot in 2010. Speaking in a recent on-camera interview with the BBC, An became emotional while describing what she says happened on the set, recounting an encounter that has become the focus of an ongoing lawsuit against the rapper and fashion entrepreneur.

West has strongly denied the allegations. His legal team argues that the interaction in question was part of a planned artistic performance for a music video and not an act motivated by sexual gratification or gender-based violence.

The dispute is now playing out in New York courts, where both sides have submitted evidence and witness statements supporting their respective positions.

Jennifer An's Emotional Account

During the BBC interview, An described arriving at New York City's Chelsea Hotel in September 2010 to participate in the filming of a remix music video for La Roux's song In for the Kill. According to her account, several models were present on set wearing lingerie as part of the production.

An said that after a period of filming, West arrived and selected three models to appear alongside him. She claims that the other two models were eventually asked to leave, leaving her alone with West in a room while cameras continued rolling.

Fighting back tears during the interview, An alleged that West suddenly became physically aggressive. She claimed he placed both hands around her neck, smeared her makeup across her face, and forcefully inserted his fingers into her mouth.

When asked by the BBC reporter whether she could breathe properly during the alleged encounter, An said she felt "so suffocated" and "scared."

The interview marked one of her most detailed public descriptions of the alleged incident since filing her lawsuit.

The Lawsuit Against Kanye West

In November 2024, An filed a lawsuit under New York City's Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, accusing West of sexual assault, battery, and gender-motivated violence.

According to court filings, the alleged incident occurred during production of the In for the Kill remix video at the Chelsea Hotel.

The complaint alleges that West arrived on set, assumed control of the production, and instructed the models to line up. An claims he singled her out by saying, "Give me the Asian girl," before directing her to a private hotel suite equipped with cameras.

The lawsuit further alleges that West deviated from the planned shoot and physically assaulted her while cameras recorded the interaction.

According to the filing, West allegedly choked An, smeared her makeup, and forced several fingers down her throat in a manner intended to simulate forced oral sex.

An claims that during the incident West repeatedly declared, "This is art. This is f***ing art. I am like Picasso."

The lawsuit states that the encounter left her traumatized and that she briefly lost consciousness during the alleged assault.

Notably, neither West nor An appeared in the final version of the music video, and the footage described in the lawsuit has never been publicly released.

Universal Music Group Also Named

The lawsuit does not only target West.

Universal Music Group (UMG) has also been named as a defendant. An alleges that the company failed to properly investigate the incident and later attempted to prevent information about it from becoming public.

UMG has not publicly admitted wrongdoing, and the allegations remain unproven in court.

Witnesses and Supporting Evidence

As the case has progressed, An's legal team has submitted multiple pieces of evidence and witness statements intended to support her claims.

La Roux Singer Elly Jackson's Statement

One of the most notable developments came through communications involving Elly Jackson, the singer behind La Roux.

Court filings include messages exchanged between Jackson and An in 2024. According to those documents, Jackson stated that she remembered the incident and recalled requesting that the footage never be used because An appeared frightened and distressed.

Jackson reportedly explained that she had not spoken publicly about the matter for years because she felt intimidated by West's influence and status within the music industry.

Additional Witness Account

Another individual present on set, identified in court documents as Martins, submitted an affirmation supporting portions of An's account.

According to the filing, Martins claimed she witnessed West forcefully place his fingers in An's mouth and tell her to "suck on them."

Contradictory Testimony

However, not all witness statements support An's version of events.

A separate witness identified as Michelle An, who is unrelated to the plaintiff, submitted a statement saying that from where she was positioned, she did not directly observe West place his hands around Jennifer An's neck or put his fingers into her mouth.

The differing accounts could become an important issue as the case moves forward.

Kanye West's Defense

West's legal team has sought dismissal of the lawsuit.

According to court filings, his attorneys argue that the interaction was part of an artistic performance being created for a music video and therefore should not be characterized as sexual assault or gender-motivated violence.

The defense maintains that the events occurred within the context of artistic expression and were not intended for sexual gratification.

An's attorneys have rejected that argument, stating in court documents that artistic expression cannot justify or excuse the alleged conduct.

The court has not yet issued a final ruling on the merits of the case, and the litigation remains ongoing.

Part of a Larger Series of Legal Challenges

The lawsuit brought by Jennifer An is one of several legal matters involving West in recent years.

Among the other cases:

• A civil lawsuit filed by a former employee involving working conditions at his Malibu property.

• A high-profile lawsuit from former assistant Lauren Pisciotta alleging sexual harassment, battery, and sex trafficking-related claims, all of which West has denied.

These cases have added to the legal scrutiny surrounding the artist as he attempts to rebuild his public image.

International Backlash and Performance Restrictions

Beyond the courtroom, West has faced increasing resistance from governments, venues, and event organizers following a series of antisemitic statements and controversies that sparked widespread criticism.

United Kingdom Entry Ban

In April 2026, British authorities blocked West from entering the United Kingdom.

The decision came after he had reportedly been scheduled to headline all three nights of London's Wireless Festival. The UK Home Office determined that allowing him into the country would not be conducive to the public good, citing concerns related to his history of antisemitic remarks.

The decision ultimately forced organizers to cancel the planned event.

Australia Visa Denial

Australian authorities also denied West entry under the country's character-based immigration requirements.

The move effectively prevented him from organizing concerts, promotional appearances, or tours in Australia.

European Venue Restrictions

Several European performances have also faced obstacles.

In Italy, officials prohibited a planned concert at Reggio Emilia's RCF Arena, citing public safety concerns and the likelihood of large-scale demonstrations.

In France, a planned Marseille show was postponed and effectively canceled amid political opposition and public criticism.

Additional dates in Poland and Switzerland were reportedly canceled following pressure from activists, local officials, and sponsors.

Countries Where Performances Have Continued

Despite the restrictions, West has continued to perform in several countries.

In the Netherlands, legal challenges seeking to block a concert were unsuccessful, and a performance proceeded after a court found no legal basis to deny his entry.

West has also staged concerts in Turkey and continued to hold listening events and performances in parts of the United States and Mexico.

Attempts to Repair His Public Image

In early 2026, West launched a public effort to address the controversy surrounding his public statements.

As part of that effort, he reportedly purchased full-page newspaper advertisements apologizing to the Jewish community. West attributed much of his past behavior to an untreated brain injury and severe bipolar-related mental health struggles.

However, many governments, sponsors, and business partners have remained reluctant to re-engage with him, arguing that the damage caused by his past rhetoric continues to raise concerns.

What Happens Next

The lawsuit filed by Jennifer An remains active in New York court. No final determination has been made regarding the allegations, and West continues to deny wrongdoing.

As the legal process unfolds, the case is likely to focus heavily on witness testimony, documentary evidence, and competing interpretations of what occurred during the 2010 music video shoot.

For now, the allegations remain contested, with both sides presenting sharply different accounts of an incident that allegedly took place more than fifteen years ago and continues to generate significant public attention.