Photographer is suing Kanye West for alleged assault

Gloria Allred (right) and her client, photojournalist Nichol Lechmanik, hold a press conference to announce the indictment of a lawsuit against Kanye West (Ye) on June 1, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Ye is being charged with assault, assault, negligence and violation of Nichol Lechmanik’s civil rights in an incident earlier this year. RODIN ECKENROTH/Getty Images via AFP

LOS ANGELES — A photographer who claims Kanye West threw her cell phone on the ground during a confrontation is suing the troubled rapper for assault, she said Thursday, June 1.

Nichol Lechmanik said the artist, now formally known as Ye, caused her “great mental and emotional pain” during the confrontation in January.

A press conference in Los Angeles heard the paparazzo standing outside a sports center in Ventura County, north of the city, where Ye and Kim Kardashian’s son was playing.

The lawsuit says that Lechmanik took pictures of Kardashian and then saw Ye arguing with someone outside, so she started filming him from her car.

The clip, which was played to reporters, shows Ye approaching the vehicle and addressing the photographer.

“If I want to see my son at a game, don’t walk up to me like that. When I say stop… stop with your cameras,” says the rapper.

“I know, but Kanye, you’re a celebrity,” Lechmanik replies as he continues filming.

The footage shows Ye reaching into her car, grabbing the phone and throwing it on the ground, before walking away.

“He gave me so much anxiety that I haven’t been the same since,” Lechmanik told reporters on Thursday.

“His actions have hindered my ability to work. Although I am not a world famous artist (like) Ye, I have as much right to work as he does. He has no right to attack me, mistreat me or cause me to be afraid to practice my profession.

The lawsuit, filed in Ventura County, seeks “general, special and punitive damages,” attorney Gloria Allred said. No figure was given about the amount requested.

Clashes between paparazzi and celebrities in and around Los Angeles are not uncommon, with movie stars and musicians complaining about being abused and harassed by people who relentlessly follow them.

Such freelance photographers say that images of famous people are often tightly controlled and that a photo of an unguarded moment is the only way to make a living in a highly competitive market.

Ye and Kardashian, who have four children together, divorced in an acrimonious split last year, after about a decade together.

The entrepreneur and musician has spoken openly about his struggles with mental health, but has raised the alarm with a number of high-profile outbursts.

In October, he parted ways with Adidas, for which he had designed a popular shoe line, after making a series of anti-Semitic remarks. /ra

RELATED STORIES:

Adidas cuts dividend after Kanye West split

Kanye West gives up White House bid for 2020, ahead of 2024

Your subscription cannot be saved. Try again.

Your registration was successful.