According to the suit, Banks allegedly 'physically manipulated and verbally abused' Mary, plaintiff's daughter, and even 'insinuated that Mary was accidentally conceived.'
- May 24, 2017
AceShowbiz - A contestant on "America's Got Talent" filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, May 23, claiming that host Tyra Banks "physically manipulated and verbally abused" her daughter during the taping for the show. The constestant named Jane Doe performed an original song with her husband, who is identified as John in the suit, during an audition for the show on March 19. The song was dedicated for her daughter, Mary, who was present at the filming.
In the 18-page suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the husband-wife pair claimed that they were "publicly humiliated" by the judges and the audience, who criticized the song. Banks, "an individual acting as an agent of Defendants," allegedly "physically manipulated and verbally abused Mary. Banks shook Mary's shoulder, pulled Mary's hair back and physically manipulated Mary."
The suit continued, "Banks also insinuated that Mary was accidentally conceived, made fun of the performance and ridiculed [the song] in front of Mary, all in front of active cameras that were filming Mary. After the performance, Banks asked Mary to describe, in front of active and filming cameras, her opinion about Jane and her husband after they were publicly ridiculed by 'AGT'." After receiving Banks' abusive treatment, Mary was said to be "traumatized and became deeply depressed."
Jane later asked Marathon not to air any footage of their performance and Mary's reaction. Marathon execs agreed to the demand and "acknowledge Mary's emotional distress." However, when Jane asked them to keep the entire performance off the air, Marathon refused, saying that they would use footage featuring Jane and John.
Seeking the jury trial, the suit claims intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, civil assault and battery. None of Marathon, NBC and representatives for Banks have given immediate response to a request for comment.
