Record producer and singer-songwriter The-Dream, whose real name is Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, faces serious allegations of sex trafficking, rape, and sexual battery in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday.
According to the complaint obtained by CNN, Gesteelde-Diamant allegedly exploited his age and influence within the music industry to manipulate the plaintiff, Chanaaz Mangroe, a singer-songwriter from the Netherlands holding an O-1B “extraordinary ability” visa in the US.
The lawsuit claims that Gesteelde-Diamant coerced Mangroe into an abusive and violent relationship, marked by physical assaults, violent sexual encounters, and psychological manipulation.
One disturbing incident detailed in the lawsuit alleges that Gesteelde-Diamant raped Mangroe in a van on the same evening that he forced her to engage in sexual acts in a public movie theater.
Mangroe has requested a jury trial and is seeking unspecified damages.
In a statement sent to the New York Times, Gesteelde-Diamant denied the allegations, labeling them as untrue and defamatory. He expressed opposition to all forms of harassment and emphasized his commitment to supporting others in achieving their career aspirations.
In her statement to CNN, Mangroe revealed the difficulty in speaking out about the trauma she endured but emphasized the necessity of sharing her story for healing purposes. She expressed hope that her actions would not only aid in her own recovery but also serve as a catalyst for preventing future instances of abuse and assisting others who may have experienced similar hardships.
