A photographer who claims Kanye West threw her cell phone to the ground in a confrontation is suing the troubled rapper for assault, she said Thursday.
Nichol Lechmanik said the artist, who is now formally known as Ye, caused her “great mental and emotional pain” in the January confrontation.
The paparazzi at times go to lengths to capture the celebrities in their mobiles and cameras, which breaches their privacy, and the netizens have pointed it out as always, even though people are not very fond of Kim Kardashian’s ex, they seem to be siding with him on this.
Video of the incident was recorded outside a Newbury Park sports facility on Jan. 27 where West’s child was reportedly playing in a school game, according to the clip recorded by photographer Nichol Lechmanik.
The Incident began when Lechmanik was waiting outside a school sports facility to photograph West’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, who went inside earlier, according to her lawsuit.
Lechmanik and several other paparazzi were driving by the facility when she noticed West get out of his vehicle and confront another photographer.
West appeared irate in the video and Lechmanik claimed she was afraid that he had a weapon because he seemed to be reaching into his pockets while talking to the photographer in the street, according to her complaint.
The clip, which was played for reporters, shows Ye approaching the vehicle and addressing the photographer.
“If I wanna go see my son at a game, You all ain’tgonna run up on me like that. If I say stop… stop with your cameras,” the rapper says.
“I know, but Kanye you are a celebrity,” Lechmanik replies, continuing to film.
The footage shows Ye reaching into her car, grabbing the phone and throwing it to the ground, before he walks away.
“He caused me so much fear that I have not been the same since,”
Lechmanik told reporters
“His actions have interfered with my ability to work. Although I am not a world famous artist (like) Ye, I have just as much right to work as he does. He has no right to assault me, batter me or cause me to be afraid to pursue my profession.”
The suit, filed In Ventura County, seeks “general, special and punitive damages,” attorney Gloria Allred said. No figure was given on the amount being sought.
Confrontations between paparazzi and celebrities in and around Los Angeles are not uncommon, with movie stars and musicians complaining that they are abused and harassed by people who follow them incessantly.
Such freelance photographers say images of famous people are often tightly controlled, and that a picture of an unguarded moment is the only way to make a living in a highly competitive marketplace.
