Soulja Boy, the 34-year-old rapper whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, has been ordered to pay $4.25 million to a woman who accused him of sexual battery and abuse. The verdict was reached during a civil trial, where the jury found Way liable for sexual battery, assault, and gender violence. This case began in 2021 when the woman filed a lawsuit claiming that Soulja Boy had sexually assaulted, beaten, and even held her captive during their time together. She had been hired as his assistant in 2018 and was later subjected to abuse.
Throughout the trial, Way denied the allegations, asserting that their relationship had been consensual. He described the claims as “disgusting” and maintained his innocence, vowing to appeal the decision. Despite his denials, the jury sided with the woman after deliberating for two days. She was awarded $4 million in compensatory damages and $250,000 in punitive damages.
The woman, who chose to remain unnamed, expressed her relief after the verdict, stating that while justice had been served, it would not bring back everything she lost during her time with the rapper. She emphasized her hope that the outcome of the trial would prevent Way from causing harm to any other women in the future.
During the trial, the woman testified that their relationship quickly turned abusive after it began. She claimed Way regularly raped and beat her, sometimes forcing her into situations where she felt like a prisoner. As a result, she suffered significant emotional and physical harm, including losing nearly half of her body weight and feeling completely dehumanized. She testified that she stayed in the relationship because Way had threatened to hurt her or her family, as well as to release a sexually explicit video of her if she left.
Text messages shown during the trial painted a disturbing picture of their interactions. The woman had sent messages to Way that included references to physical abuse, such as “You body slammed me on my head and choked me,” while he sometimes responded with apologies and attempts to rekindle their relationship. However, the jury found that his actions went far beyond a consensual relationship, concluding that he was responsible for the abuse.
Way’s defense team, led by attorney Rickey Ivie, argued that the woman fabricated her story out of jealousy, revenge, and a desire for financial gain. They also contested the woman’s claims of false imprisonment and wrongful dismissal, with the jury clearing him of those allegations. However, Way was held accountable for the sexual assault and battery.
This case is not the first time Soulja Boy has faced legal challenges related to abuse. In 2023, he was ordered to pay $471,900 to a former girlfriend, Kayla Myers, after she filed a lawsuit accusing him of assault and kidnapping.
