Model alleges Kanye West choked and assaulted her during 2010 music video shoot

Jennifer An, who appeared as a finalist on America's Next Top Model in 2009, alleges that Kanye West arrived unannounced on the set of La Roux's 'In for the Kill' music video at New York's Chelsea Hotel in 2010 and subjected her to unwanted physical contact, including choking her with both hands, smearing her makeup, and inserting his fingers into her mouth in a manner she describes as simulating oral sex. An says she was frozen during the encounter out of fear of losing her job, and that no crew members intervened. West's lawyers do not deny the physical encounter occurred but argue it was an artistic performance intended to emulate a scene from the film American Psycho, and that An was a consenting participant protected under First Amendment expressive conduct. West's legal team has filed a motion to dismiss, contending that 'the emulation of sexual violence for artistic purposes is not itself sexual violence.' Corroborating evidence submitted to the court includes Instagram messages from La Roux, real name Elly Jackson, who described the incident as 'horrific' and wrote that West 'knew exactly what he was doing' and found it amusing. An's attorney, Jesse Weinstein, has warned that allowing the First Amendment defense to succeed would set a 'dangerous precedent' permitting artists to do 'whatever they want to, whomever they want in creative spaces.' The case has not yet gone to trial.