Megan Thee Stallion, the Grammy-winning rapper, has taken legal action against Tory Lanez, requesting a restraining order as she alleges he continues to harass her from prison. Lanez, who was sentenced to ten years for shooting her in the feet during the summer of 2020, is reportedly using third parties to perpetuate this harassment, according to court documents.
The restraining order petition was filed on December 17, 2023, at the Los Angeles Superior Court by Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete. The filing claims Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, shows no signs of ceasing his campaign against her, stating, "Even now, as he serves his time, Mr. Peterson continues to subject her to repeated trauma and revictimization." This action stems from concerns about Lanez's continued influence, even behind bars, and the psychological toll it is taking on Stallion.
Stallion's legal concerns are compounded by the actions of online bloggers affiliated with Lanez. The filing alleges these individuals are casting doubt on her claims about the infamous shooting incident, especially by making false accusations about the evidence, such as claiming the gun and bullet fragments are missing. One such blogger, Milagro Gramz (real name Milagro Elizabeth Cooper), is cited as having promoted narratives intended to discredit Stallion and is currently facing legal repercussions from Stallion stemming from alleged harassment.
The petition is significant because it highlights not just the chronicling of events surrounding the shooting but also the aftermath, particularly how public discourse and online harassment can affect victims long after the initial incident. Stallion's prior protections—court orders meant to keep Lanez at bay—have been let lapse, which Stallion’s legal team described as “a loophole” within the legal system, allowing Lanez's harassment to continue.
“Mr. Peterson has continued to reach out to Ms. Pete through various means and engages third parties to target her,” the legal documents state ominously. “Despite his conviction, he has been successful at orchestrations of harassment against Ms. Pete, showing his persistent desire to control her narrative.”
The documented history of Lanez's violations of pretrial protective orders raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the law in protecting victims of domestic violence and assault. For Stallion, these legal battles are not merely professional; they are intensely personal, as she continues to navigate her trauma publicly. "I didn’t feel like making music…there were times I’d literally be backstage or…crying my eyes out," she shared previously, illustrating her emotional and mental struggles following the incident.
Lanez's conviction came after he was found guilty on three charges: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm, and discharging the firearm with gross negligence. Following his conviction, which occurred in December 2022, he received his ten-year sentence the following August. Currently, Lanez is appealing the decision, which adds another layer of complexity to Stallion's situation as she deals with not only her feelings but also the continuous public scrutiny surrounding their case.
The upcoming court hearing on the restraining order is scheduled for January 9, 2024, where Stallion hopes to find some measure of peace and protection from Lanez’s alleged harassment. "It is counterintuitive and wholly illogical...that Ms. Pete had protections...while he was deemed innocent, but now those protections are no longer available to Ms. Pete,” her filing states, pointing to the strangeness of legal technicalities affecting her safety post-conviction.
Social media has played a pivotal role throughout this saga, demonstrating both its power to amplify voices and its potential as a tool for harassment. Stallion's experience has shone light on the adverse effects online harassment can have on victims, particularly women of color who already face significant barriers when speaking out. Her bravery to seek justice, both legally and personally, invites scrutiny on the broader cultural serious issues surrounding violence against women and how society perceives and supports these victims.
The legal proceedings and its repercussions continue to engender discussions about victim support within the hip-hop community and beyond as Megan Thee Stallion fights not only for her reputation and mental well-being but for the larger dialogue surrounding domestic violence and victimization. This case, becoming emblematic of the challenges faced by Black women, raises questions about societal support and the accountability necessary to protect those deeply impacted by violence.
Proponents of reform see Megan’s situation as imperative to push for change within both the judicial system and societal attitudes toward victims. Many advocates believe the legal system often fails those it intends to protect, and cases such as this one demonstrate the pressing need for comprehensive reforms aimed at safeguarding victims’ rights, both during legal encounters and throughout their healing processes.
