Jennifer An details alleged 2009 choking by Kanye West on La Roux set as court filing cites “horrific” messages
Kanye West (Image: John Parra/WireImage/Scott Dudelson/Getty Images/Canva)
Court filings in Jennifer An’s lawsuit against Kanye West reportedly reference alleged messages from La Roux singer Elly Jackson in which she said she remembered the incident as “horrific”. An has also spoken publicly about her allegation on the BBC’s Fame Under Fire podcast.
An sued West for sexual assault under New York City’s Gender Motivated Violence Protection Act in November 2024. She alleges West choked her and subjected her to “pornographic gagging” during a 2009 shoot for La Roux’s ‘In For The Kill’.
On the BBC podcast, An described the atmosphere on set at Manhattan’s Chelsea Hotel, saying crew members were “running around the Chelsea Hotel, they’re like, ‘Kanye’s coming, Kanye’s coming’.” She said models were lined up in a hallway and that West “came through and chose three girls to be in the scene with him”, including her.
An said she was given little direction before the alleged incident. “I didn’t know what was gonna happen. I was given no direction. I was just told to sit in this chair,” she said. She then alleged: “All of a sudden he just reaches a hand out and starts choking me, and I’m just not sure what’s happening. And then, he pulled his other hand out and starts choking me with both hands, and then starts smearing my makeup all over my face and sticking his hands inside of my mouth.” An said the action “simulated oral sex”. Asked if she tried to stop him, she said: “No, I didn’t because I didn’t know what I was doing… I was more frozen, it’s like ‘I could lose my job.’”
What the lawsuit alleges
According to An, the alleged incident took place during filming at the Chelsea Hotel, where she was working as a background actor. West’s lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing in part that the conduct occurred while producing expressive art and should be protected by free speech, as set out in the motion described in court coverage. The case has not yet gone to trial.
La Roux messages referenced in filings
In a filing in March, An’s lawyers submitted new affidavits to corroborate her claims, including alleged Instagram exchanges attributed to Jackson, via court documents obtained by Rolling Stone. Jackson is quoted as writing: “I could never forget that, it was horrific,” and adding: “I have never seen the footage (thankfully) and obviously I asked for it to never be used or for it to be seen as you were understandably very concerned about anyone or your family seeing it.” She also allegedly wrote: “I’m so sorry it happened”.
An was a finalist on America’s Next Top Model in 2009. La Roux’s music has long been popular in queer nightlife with her newest single being released last month. West has remained a lightning rod for controversy in recent years, and was linked to UK festival headlines after Wireless Festival was cancelled for 2026 as headliner Kanye West was barred from the UK.
