Kanye West accused of sexual assault by model during music video shoot: 'He started choking me'

Jennifer An and Kanye West (Picture via Instagram)

More than a decade after the alleged incident, former model and reality TV personality Jennifer An has once again spoken publicly about her accusations against rapper Kanye West. An, who appeared on America's Next Top Model, has detailed an encounter from a 2010 music video shoot that later became the basis of a sexual assault lawsuit she filed against the rapper in 2024.

Jennifer An makes a shocking allegation

Speaking on the BBC podcast Fame Under Fire, An recalled arriving on the set of La Roux's music video In for the Kill without knowing what was about to happen. According to her, she was asked to sit in front of a camera but received no explanation about the scene.

"He had me sit in the chair in front of the camera, and I didn't know what was going to happen. I was given no direction," An said.

The model alleged that West suddenly approached her and began choking her during filming. She claimed the interaction escalated further as he allegedly smeared her makeup, placed his hands inside her mouth and simulated sexual acts for the camera.

Recalling the experience, An said, "I remember feeling so suffocated, unsure, scared." She added that she expected someone from the production team to intervene but alleged that no one stepped in as the incident unfolded.

At the time, An was 24 years old and relatively new to the entertainment industry. She said she felt frozen and worried about the consequences of speaking out. On the podcast, she explained, "I didn't know what I was doing... I was more frozen. It's like, ‘I could lose my job.'"

Model filed a lawsuit against Kanye West

The lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court, alleges that West singled her out on set before carrying out the acts described in her complaint. An further claimed that after the sequence ended, West appeared satisfied and exclaimed, "This is art! I'm Picasso."

West's legal team has denied wrongdoing and sought dismissal of the lawsuit. While not disputing that physical contact occurred during filming, his lawyers argue that the scene was part of an "intense and provocative theatrical performance" inspired by artistic expression rather than misconduct.

The case remains ongoing, and the allegations have not been proven in court.