Phoebe Bridgers sued for $3.8 million by music producer alleging defamation, past relationship
A music producer is alleging indie rock musician Phoebe Bridgers purposely plotted a "revenge vendetta" against him and is seeking millions of dollars in damages.
Chris Nelson filed a lawsuit to the Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday accusing Bridgers of defamation, false light and emotional distress after previously being in a "consensual sexual relationship" with the musician and his former girlfriend, Emily Bannon.
In the lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY, Nelson says after his relationship with Bannon ended in 2019, Bridgers continued a relationship with her while publishing "false and defamatory statements" against Nelson on Instagram.
USA TODAY reached out to Bridgers' rep.
According to the lawsuit, Bridgers posted statements in 2020 to her public Instagram account, called @_fake_nudes at the time, stating she "witnessed and can personally verify much of the abuse (grooming, stealing, violence) perpetuated by Chris Nelson." Nelson also says Bridgers directed her followers to Bannon's page, which accused Nelson of racially-motivated hate crimes, robbery and assault.
Nelson "is informed and believes that defendant Bridgers maliciously and intentionally posted the false and defamatory statements about (him) as part of a vendetta to destroy (his) reputation that was enflamed by defendant Bridgers and Bannon’s sexual relationship," the complaint reads.
Nelson is suing for at least $3.8 million in damages after he says the statements negatively affected his business.
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"As a result of defendant Bridgers’ statements, musicians and artists removed (Nelson) from their projects and stripped (him) of credits that he had obtained in producing their music," the lawsuit adds.
Nelson's attorneys are requesting the matter be solved in a jury trial.
Bridgers released her first studio album, "Stranger in the Alps," in 2017. Her sophomore album, "Punisher," earned her four Grammy nominations including for best new artist at the 2021 ceremony.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Phoebe Bridgers sued in $3.8 million defamation suit
