Soulja Boy accused of cosplaying in $73 million sex battery trial
Soulja Boy has been accused of lying by the lawyer of a woman who claims she was subjected to sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, emotional distress, unpaid overtime and a hostile work environment. Ronald Zambrano claims the rapper (real name DeAndre Way) put on a month-long act in a costume, which involved wearing fake glasses.
Closing arguments were heard in a California courtroom on April 7th, with Zambrano requesting $73,620,000 in past and present damages over their living and working relationship in 2019 and 2020.
“He raped her, he punched her, he kicked her, he cut her,” Zambrano told jurors. “He picked up and then slammed her, choked her, left bruises from squeezing her arm. He grabbed her head by a mirror and said, ‘No one will love you.’ He pointed a Draco gun at her. He locked her in a room, threatened her family, threatened her, denied her food.”
Zambrano also showed text messages from Way, which allegedly read, “I hope u die slow” and “I should have killed your ass.”
“These are things that are not flattering. How embarrassing for her, but she still admitted it,” he said. “He’s owned up to nothing. Not one text message, not one photograph. He hasn’t owned up to one thing that doesn’t flatter him.”
Way was then accused of cosplaying as a nerd throughout the trial. Under cross-examination, he admitted that his glasses had clear, prescription-less lenses.
“It was an act, a four-week act with glasses and a suit,” Zambrano said. “The act you’re being asked to buy, unfortunately, my client did buy it. It’s why she went back. … I ask that you don’t fall for the man sitting over there with fake glasses on trying to convince you he’s incapable of the bruises you’ve seen, the cuts you’ve seen, the text messages he sent.”
Way’s lawyer, Rickie Ivie, said the woman’s story about her alleged abuse “evolved over time.” He added, “Plaintiff is motivated by jealousy, revenge and financial gain. She wanted to be paid. That’s what this case is all about. It’s not about the truth, it’s just not.”