Grammy award-winning songwriter Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, known professionally as The-Dream, was accused of abuse and sex trafficking by singer Chanaaz Mangroe in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday. Mangroe claimed she was lured into a manipulative relationship filled with violent sexual encounters under the guise of a legitimate contract. The-Dream denied the allegations, stating that they are untrue and defamatory, and he has always strived to help people realize their career goals. The lawsuit also named Contra Paris LLC and Epic Records as enablers of the abuse, alleging that The-Dream’s actions were made possible with corporate funding.
Mangroe met The-Dream in 2015 while working in the U.S on a visa. He promised to help her with her music career and secure an extension of her visa, as well as write hit songs for her and have her open for Beyoncé’s next tour. However, the lawsuit claimed that her experience with The-Dream was a nightmare, involving forced sexual encounters, pressure to drink and do drugs, and the producer tracking her location and controlling her basic needs. Some of the alleged forced sexual encounters were filmed, and The-Dream allegedly used these videos as threats to silence Mangroe.
The lawsuit alleged that due to the abuse she endured, Mangroe’s career was derailed, and her music was taken from her without compensation. In a statement, Mangroe said that speaking out about her experience with The-Dream has been one of the most difficult decisions of her life, but she hopes it will help prevent future abuse and assist in her own healing. The-Dream, known for his hits for artists like Beyoncé and Rihanna, previously made headlines in 2014 when he was arrested for assaulting his pregnant ex-girlfriend at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Mangroe’s lawsuit was filed by Douglas H. Wigdor and Meredith Firetog, who also represented singer Cassie Ventura in a suit against Sean Combs. The lawyers called Mangroe’s case a horrific example of how men in the music industry use their power to manipulate and harm others. They accused The-Dream of subjecting Mangroe to vicious physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. The lawsuit alleged that The-Dream’s actions were made possible with corporate funding by Contra Paris LLC and Epic Records, both of which are named in the civil action. Sony Music, which owns Epic Records, did not immediately respond to the claims made in the lawsuit.
