Megan Thee Stallion delivered emotional testimony in a Miami federal court, breaking down in tears as she accused blogger Milagro Gramz of acting as a “puppet” for Tory Lanez by spreading falsehoods and promoting online harassment against her. The Grammy-winning rapper, whose legal name is Megan Pete, described the profound mental health impact of the defamation campaign, which included deepfake pornography and lies about the 2020 shooting incident.
During her testimony on Thursday, Pete recounted how Gramz’s social media posts made her feel “defeated” and led to severe emotional distress, including moments when she “didn’t care if I lived or died.” She emphasized that the false narratives, propagated to thousands of followers on platforms like X and Instagram, created a hostile environment that undermined her credibility and personal well-being. The emotional moment was palpable as she sobbed while discussing an unauthorized deepfake video that Gramz allegedly encouraged others to view, stating it was “really embarrassing” to have such content circulated widely.
The lawsuit stems from events surrounding the July 2020 shooting, where Tory Lanez, legally known as Daystar Peterson, was convicted of assaulting Pete by shooting her in the feet. Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and his conviction was recently upheld on appeal. Pete testified that she initially told police she stepped on glass due to fear of law enforcement, a decision influenced by the societal context after George Floyd’s death, as she sought to protect herself and companions during the interaction.
Milagro Gramz, whose real name is Milagro Cooper, took the stand earlier in the trial, denying coordination with Lanez but acknowledging receiving payments from his father for “personal” and “promotional” reasons. The jury was shown social media posts where Cooper claimed Pete was not shot and had a drinking problem, allegations that Pete vehemently denied. Cooper testified that she could not confirm whether Pete was shot but believed she had stepped on glass, echoing initial police reports, and expressed hope to have Lanez as a guest on her channel.
Pete’s legal team is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for defamation, cyberstalking, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, arguing that Cooper’s actions were part of a concerted effort to punish Pete for testifying against Lanez. In response, Cooper’s attorneys have called the defamation claims an “overreach,” stating that some statements were opinion or rhetorical hyperbole and not actionable under law. The trial also revealed that Lanez and his attorney were held in contempt for evading deposition questions, resulting in a $20,000 fine.
The case has highlighted broader societal issues, including the “Protect Black Women” movement, which addresses the dual challenges of sexism and racism faced by Black women. Pete expressed hope that sharing her story would inspire other women to speak their truth, stating, “I’m not going to kill myself because I’m not going to give them what they’re looking for,” and emphasizing her desire for something positive to emerge from the ordeal.
As the trial continues, the outcome could influence how online harassment and defamation are addressed in legal contexts, particularly involving social media influencers. The emotional testimony has drawn significant public attention, underscoring the lasting impact of digital abuse on mental health and the importance of accountability in the digital age. Further proceedings are expected to delve into additional evidence and witness accounts before a verdict is reached.
