50 Cent’s attempt to get a lawsuit dismissed was foiled by a New York judge on Thursday (Jan. 2) after a ruling, which cites “enough evidence for the suit to proceed”.
The G-Unit boss is accused of spoofing and unlawfully releasing a sex tape with a former lover of his rap nemesis Rick Ross.
Lastonia Leviston sued the rap mogul in 2010, a year after he was accused of posting the explicit video on his website.
In documents filed in New York's Manhattan Supreme Court, Leviston argues that 50 Cent blurred out her then-partner Maurice Murray's face and edited the tape to depict himself getting intimate with her as his online character Pimpin' Curly, wearing a curly wig and blue robe, while adding his own narration to poke fun at Ross.
Following the release of the footage, Leviston demanded compensation for the unauthorized use of her name or image and the emotional distress it caused, but Fiddy laughed it off and now it looks like he may have to pay the piper.
If you’re a fan of rapper 50 Cent, you may have heard about the ongoing legal battle he’s facing. Lastonia Leviston, an ex-girlfriend of rapper Rick Ross, sued 50 Cent for $5 million back in 2015 over a sex tape that she claimed he leaked online without her consent.
Now, the case has been given continuation and it seems like it will be heading to trial. A judge recently ruled that Leviston’s lawsuit against 50 Cent can continue, despite his efforts to have it dismissed.
The rapper argued that he was protected under the First Amendment because the sex tape was included in a parody video he made featuring himself as a character named ‘Pimpin’ Curly.’However, the court found that there is enough evidence to suggest that 50 Cent acted with malice when he posted the video and therefore cannot claim protection under the First Amendment.
Lastonia Leviston’s Lawsuit Against 50 Cent
50 Cent’s legal battle with Lastonia Leviston over his sex tape spoof continues, raising questions about the boundaries of free speech and artistic expression in the entertainment industry.
You may remember that in 2015, 50 Cent posted a video online featuring him narrating a homemade sex tape involving Leviston and her then-boyfriend. The rapper edited himself into the video as a commentator, making fun of Leviston’s appearance and mocking her sexual performance.
Leviston sued 50 Cent for invasion of privacy, emotional distress, and defamation, claiming that he had intentionally humiliated her by distributing private footage without her consent. A jury agreed with Leviston last year and awarded her $7 million in damages.
However, 50 Cent is now appealing the verdict on the grounds that he was exercising his right to parody under the First Amendment.
The case has sparked debate about whether or not celebrities have a responsibility to respect each other’s privacy, even when their actions are deemed newsworthy or public interest. Some argue that individuals implicitly waive their right to control how they are portrayed in the media by choosing to participate in reality TV shows or social media platforms like Instagram. Others claim that no one deserves to be publicly shamed or ridiculed for their personal choices, regardless of their status or profession.
As this lawsuit enters its next phase, it remains unclear where exactly the line between satire and slander lies within our legal system.
The Court’s Decision to Allow the Case to Continue
You can imagine the tension in the courtroom as the judge declared that the legal proceedings would move forward. Lastonia Leviston’s lawsuit against 50 Cent was given continuation, meaning that her case will be heard and decided upon by a jury.
This is a significant development in what has been a long and contentious legal battle. The decision to allow the case to continue sends a strong message about personal privacy and respect for individuals’ rights.
Ms. Leviston’s argument centers around the violation of her privacy when 50 Cent released a sex tape featuring her without her consent. By allowing this case to proceed, the court is acknowledging that individuals have a right to control their own image and likeness.
Moving forward, it’ll be interesting to see how this case plays out in court. The stakes are high for both parties involved, with potential damages reaching into millions of dollars.
Regardless of how it ends up being decided, though, this case serves as an important reminder that we must always respect each other’s boundaries and rights – even if we don’t agree with them ourselves.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the case against 50 Cent’s sex tape spoof has been given continuation.
As a reader, you may be wondering what this means for both parties involved. For Lastonia Leviston, it means she’ll have the opportunity to seek justice for what she believes was an invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
On the other hand, for 50 Cent, this means he’ll continue to face legal battles and potential consequences for his actions.
Only time will tell how this lawsuit will ultimately play out and what impact it could have on the entertainment industry as a whole.
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.
