Adult actress Nikki Benz filed a lawsuit against the porn production company Brazzers, according to a report from Jezebel. The lawsuit also includes Brazzers’ parent company MindGeek, and her co-stars Tony T. and Ramon Nomar. In the suit obtained by Jezebel, Benz alleges she was “struck on the face, head and breasts hard enough to cause her to bleed” two years ago during a shoot. According to Benz, the encounter was non-consensual, but that she was pressured to say it was consensual in order to get paid.
The shoot in question was for a film directed by Tony T. for the Brazzers imprint. Benz first made the assault accusations on Twitter in December 2016, following the shoot. “The director himself put his hands on me and was choking me. Never in a million years did I think Brazzers would allow it,” she tweeted. She later added, “I guess rape scenes are in now huh?”
Details of the suit read, “[Tony T.] would film with one hand and choke Benz with the other hand. Nomar stomped on Benz’s head. Between Tony T. and Nomar, Benz was hit, slapped choked and thrown on the ground and against the wall.” It goes on to allege that the assault made Benz bleed so much that “water was poured on the walls and floor to cover up her blood.” The suit also alleges that “while Benz was gagged with her underwear,” water was “poured down her throat, causing Benz to choke.”
The actress claims that she "knew nothing else about the shoot" other than "that the shoot would be hardcore and what she would be wearing." Benz claims she only consented to be touched by Ramon Nomar, but that Tony T. also participated. He allegedly slapped her while saying, “Open your eyes bitch” and “Open your fucking eyes.”
According to Jezebel, during her on-screen exit interview, which is a standard procedure in which actors confirm the performance was consensual, Benz was asked if she would do the same shoot again. When she said “no,” the suit claims “Tony T immediately yelled, ‘Stop!’" After turning off the camera, Tony T yelled, "Fuck Nikki, you can’t say that!'" She allegedly had to rerecord the interview and give her consent if she wanted to get paid.
Benz is suing MindGeek, Brazzers, Tony T., and Nomar, for sexual battery, “gender violence,” a “hostile work environment,” and “sexual harassment.” In an email to Jezebel Benz wrote, “I hope me coming forward and standing up for myself will change how female performers are treated in my industry by producers, directors, and certain male talent. We are not objects. Our rights are human rights.”
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