Rivers v. Combs et al

In 2002, Sara Rivers, an aspiring singer from Michigan, auditioned in Detroit for Making the Band 2 (MTB2), a hip-hop group formation show produced by Bunim-Murray and aired on MTV, spearheaded by Sean Combs. Selected as a semi-finalist, she traveled to New York City, enduring rigorous auditions and 'Bad Boy Boot Camp' under Combs’ oversight, documented from October 19, 2002, to April 20, 2004. Combs forced female contestants, including Rivers, to dance for him, while imposing harsh conditions like a 10-mile walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn for cheesecake in June 2003, unpaid labor, and physical exhaustion, culminating in her selection for 'Da Band.' At Daddy’s House Recording Studio, Combs sexually assaulted Rivers after giving her a suspicious drink, cornering her and retaliating by blackballing her in the industry when she resisted. Rivers contributed to the album 'Too Hot For TV,' the 'Bad Boys II' soundtrack, and MTB2 theme songs, but Defendants withheld payment, royalties, and copyrights, exploiting her likeness and work without consent, causing severe emotional distress and career sabotage.

Plaintiff seeks declaratory judgment against Sean Combs and related entities for violating the NYC Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act; compensatory damages for mental, emotional, and reputational injury, lost wages, and earnings (minimum $20,000,000 if default); punitive damages (minimum $40,000,000 if default); attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses; prejudgment and post-judgment interest; and other equitable relief as deemed proper.