Drake has asked a judge to dismiss a $4 billion defamation lawsuit filed by a woman who was accused of breaking into his home in 2017. Mesha Collins, the plaintiff, is suing the rapper for invading her privacy and using her name and likeness in “defamatory manners.”
According to Newsweek, Collins was arrested back in 2017 by Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies who said she broke into Drizzy’s California home. Police said the woman broke into the estate, consumed some refreshments she found and locked herself in a room.
Drake ended up not pressing charges against the woman because he felt she was struggling with personal issues. Collins was released from police custody after posting her $100,000 bail.
The woman filed her defamation suit against Drake this August claiming the rap star “invaded her privacy by revealing to the world where she lived” in music and Instagram posts.
However, in court filings on Wednesday (Dec. 8), Drake said he didn’t know who Collins was until she sued him and therefore he couldn’t have revealed her identity online or in his music.
“In April 2017, somebody broke into my Los Angeles home when I was not there. At the time of that incident, I was not told any details about the trespasser, including her name,” he wrote in court filings.
“I understand that Plaintiff Mesha Collins (‘Plaintiff’) filed a lawsuit against me in August 2021. When this lawsuit was filed and served on me, I learned that Plaintiff is the same person who broke into my house in Los Angeles in April 2017,” he continued. “I do not know Plaintiff. I have never met her and have never communicated with her.
“I did not even know of Plaintiff until this lawsuit was filed and served. Indeed, I was unaware of Plaintiff’s identity, name or where she alleges she lives until the filing and service of this lawsuit,” he added. “I have never mentioned or even referred to Plaintiff (by her name, nickname, image/likeness, or otherwise) in any of my music, Instagram posts, or in connection with any products or services that I have endorsed.”
In their own statement, Drake’s lawyer called the suit “frivolous” and claimed it was Collins’ attempt “to make contact with” the star “after trespassing at his home.”
Drake is also facing a $2 billion lawsuit, which was filed against him, Travis Scott and others in the wake of Astroworld Festival. On Monday (Dec. 6), Scott denied responsibility for the 10 deaths that occurred in the tragedy.