The trio quickly became on-campus stars for their popular twerking videos, which Megan later got in trouble for. Habitual Backpedaler Kelsey Harris' 80-Minute Interview Played For Jury In Tory Lanez Trial, Megan Thee Stallion's Bodyguard Goes Missing Before Testifying. (photos by Meghann M. Cuniff) Tory Lanez is now scheduled to be sentenced on April 10 for shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion, unless a judge grants his looming motion for new trial. Prosecutors allege that all three left a party in an SUV being driven by Lanez's bodyguardJauquan Smith and subsequently had a heated argument, in the middle of which Megan Thee Stallion asked Smith to pull over and got out. He was ultimately charged with assault with a semiautomatic firearm, discharging a firearm with gross negligence, carrying a loaded gun, as well as having an unregistered firearm in a vehicle. [21], In early 2018, Megan Thee Stallion signed with 1501 Certified Entertainment, an independent label in Houston run by T. Farris[7] and owned by former baseball player Carl Crawford. Kelsey Harris, or Kelsey Nicole as she goes by online, is Megan Thee Stallions former assistant and close friend. [108] In a Rolling Stone cover story, Megan revealed that she collaborated with Future for her upcoming second album on a song titled "Pressurelicious". "I mean, this has happened in the face of a million people," she added, mentioning that she felt hurt by Megan Thee Stallion's statements about her. Tory Lanezs criminal trial for the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion continued in court today with Megans former friend Kelsey Harris back on the stand and cross-examination underway. Kelsey, I understand it was alcohol, Petersons attorney, George Mgdesyan, said during cross-examination on Thursday, before proceeding to ask if there had been a physical fight between her and Pete. [108], Megan Thee Stallion mentioned being part Creole in her songs "Cocky AF" and "Freak Nasty" as well as in a tweet in September 2017. Let me do this. In October 2020, she partnered with Amazon Music's rap rotation and launched the "Don't Stop" scholarship fund that awarded two women of color pursuing associate, bachelor or postgraduate degrees, $10,000 each. The two exchanged insults via social media on Tuesday (August 30). Kelsey Harris was Megan Thee Stallion's former close friend who was present when Tory Lanez allegedly shot the singer. This girl told me out her mouth, He told me, Oh, thank you for not saying nothing. According to Rolling Stone, Megan cut ties with Kelsey because she continued to hang out with Tory after the alleged shooting occurred at a Hollywood party in 2020. She insisted that Lanez come with her, though he wanted to stay. Currently dealing with a death. The song gained acclaim, with many critics noting that it samples and interpolates the 1995 song "Who Shot Ya?" As the star of Rolling Stone's 2022 Hot Issue, Megan Thee Stallion got a lot off of her chest. [9] Tina Snow was positively received by critics. Kelsey Nicole Harris -- who was the other woman in the car with Tory Lanez and MTS during the 2020 shooting -- caused fireworks Wednesday when she was called to the stand by the prosecution almost immediately asking for immunity in the case, and receiving it for her testimony. She confirmed, without repeating it, that Lanez called her and Megan Thee Stallion "b*tches and hoes," to which the Houston rapper testified on Tuesday. Kelsey went on to work as an assistant to Megan and the singer toldRolling Stone in February 2020: Kelsey is very business-minded, very organized, very on-time. [5] Pete began writing raps at age 14. 1 on Billboard Hot 100", "Kenny Chesney Lands Ninth No. Kelsey Harris is Megan Thee Stallion's ex-friend and personal assistant. "[113] In a Teen Vogue interview, she spoke about Nicki Minaj as another influence: "[she] was here before us, so this is who we had to look at, at this time. ", She said her three texts to Megan Thee Stallion's bodyguard which read "Help," "Tory shot meg" and "911" were based on "assumptions. [13] After taking time off from school, Pete resumed her studies at Texas Southern University. [50] That same month, she announced her debut album Suga and released the lead single "B.I.T.C.H.". Have something to tell us about this article? The exposure helped Pete gain a larger digital presence and following on social media. Who is Kelsey Harris? It's become apparent that Megan Thee Stallion and Kelsey Nicole are not friends now, as many fans believe the hip-hop star recently took aim at her ex-bff in a new track. Hollywood Life Its a shame we here today, truth be told, its cause of you, Kelsey Nicole raps at the start of Bussin Back, the Megan Thee Stallion diss track she dropped on Nov. 25. According to Harris, there was a lot of alcohol and, at one point, Megan Thee Stallion was in Jenner's kitchen making nachos while other people were outside swimming and playing beer pong. The defense claims Lanez's subsequent apologies were for revealing his relationship with Megan Thee Stallion to Harris. ", I didnt see him, and I told you that. In other news, Inside Rich Paul's net worth as Adele engagement rumors spread. "The argument that took place inside carried on," she testified, according to Variety. ", When asked what aspect of testifying was triggering, she said, "Anxiety. After Megan The Stallion dragged Tory Lanez for allegedly shooting her, Megs ex-friend Kelsey Nicole dropped her own diss track. Outside of music, she has focused on her education, graduating from Texas Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration in 2021. [139] On February 17, 2022, it was announced that Megan will co-star in A24's first movie musical titled F*cking Identical Twins, described as "a spin on The Parent Trap". Now, a glance at either persons social presence shows that any memory they once shared has been deleted. At one point, Kelsey did testify that Tory threatened to shoot her (Kelsey) -- but later on the stand, Kelsey seemed to backtrack saying sworn statements she'd given investigators in the lead-up to this trial weren't entirely truthful, despite being played back recordings of her saying just that back in September. She was reportedly present the night that she was allegedly shot. She added that, when Megan Thee Stallion came back inside, she told Harris, "B*tch, we gotta get the f*ck out," and the two tried to leave in Lanez's car with his driver. Kelsey Harris, 27, who was close friends with and working as an assistant to Megan Thee Stallion when she was shot on July 12, 2020, was called to the stand on Wednesday to testify about what she witnessed in the car on the night of the incident. [55][56][57][58], On March 6, 2020, she released the EP, Suga, against the wishes of 1501, after a judge granted a temporary restraining order against the label. An attorney for Harris told CBS: "My client is a . ', "Megan Thee Stallion Launches Her 'Suga' Era With 'B.I.T.C.H. Her statement countered an earlier TMZ report that she had injured her foot on broken glass three days prior when she was in a car with rap and R&B musician Tory Lanez (Daystar Peterson) and an unidentified woman. The singer has accused Lanez of shooting her in the foot after Kylie Jenners Hollywood party in 2020. The lawyers strongly implied that Harris shot her friend and employer after Megan Thee Stallion exited the vehicle, though Harris and Megan Thee Stallion have both made public statements denying that she did so. I can assure you that my client has not been paid a dime by any party involved to remain silent. [116][117], Megan originated the viral catchphrase "hot girl summer" on social media. During the second day of the trial on Tuesday, Megan took. After attending a party at Kylie Jenners Hollywood Hills home, Megan, Kelsey, and Tory were traveling in an SUV when things went wrong. And its not that she didnt literally read her contract , she didnt understand the verbiage at that time and now that she does she simply requested for it to be fixed, Kelsey went explained in her reply. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Related: Shortly after, Megan was honored with the 18th Congressional District of Texas Hero Award by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee for her philanthropy efforts in Houston. [5] Pete was raised in the South Park neighborhood of Houston[7] before moving with her mother to Pearland at age 14, where she lived until she turned 18. She received an honorary key to the City of Houston, a symbolic cowboy hat and belt buckle. Megan Thee Stallion and her former longtime friend Kelsey Nicole Harris have been on the outs since 2020, after the Houston Hottie claimed she was shot by Tory Lanez. [102] In the coming days after Megan's graduation, she signed an exclusive first-look deal with Netflix that will see her create and produce executive content, including television series and other projects. [160], Megan Thee Stallion confirmed her relationship with fellow rapper Pardison Fontaine via Instagram Live on February 19, 2021. She also said in the interview that she witnessed Lanez reach for the center glovebox and that she saw him firing the gun out the window of the vehicle "aiming the gun straight but always in a downward direction toward Megan," according to Rolling Stone. I didnt see him do that, she testified after being asked whether Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion, according to Law & Crime. Kelsey Nicole Harris -- who was the other woman in the car with Tory Lanez and MTS during the 2020 shooting -- caused fireworks Wednesday when she was called to the stand by the prosecution .. At this point, Lanez allegedly yelled "Dance, b*tch" and began shooting from inside the car. Rolling Stone reports they both attended Houstons Prairie View A&M University, so they have been friends for years. [182][183] On December 13, 2022, Megan Thee Stallion testified in Lanez's assault trial, reliving the events from two years prior, stating that she "wish[ed] she had died". on Fallon", "Why Megan Thee Stallion Sued Her Own Label", "Megan Thee Stallion's Label Dispute, Explained", "Label Drama Over Contract Dispute Has Megan Tweeting #FreeTheeStallion", "Megan Thee Stallion announces Suga release date", "Megan Thee Stallion drops EP 'Suga' amid legal battle with label", "Megan Thee Stallion is at Her Peak on 'Suga', "Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage" Looks Poised To Be Her Next Hit Thanks To This Viral TikTok Challenge", "Stay Calm, Beyonc Remixed Megan Thee Stallion's 'Savage', "Travis Scott & Kid Cudi's 'The Scotts' Debuts at No. Megan publicly came forward about severing ties with Houstons 1501 Records, leading the label owner Carl Crawford to question Megs loyalty. Kelsey quickly clapped back with an epic response. The Houston native was once a . She also once worked as Megans assistant. Kelsey used to work for the Houston-based rapper! HITC and GRV Media have reached out to Kelsey for comment. She further testified that Lanez had offered both women a million dollars to not tell police about the shooting. [10] She presents her sexuality throughout her lyrics, videos, and live performances. Megan and Kelsey became friends when they both attended Prairie View A&M University. Kelseys Instagram reveals she has a baby son, Drayven,with Darien Dboy Smith, aka DBoyNo Sleep, who is a 1501 certified executive and Houstonss top manager, according to a Will Hustle YouTube interview. She went to college with Megan. That was definitely my goal. [24] She stated in an interview with Mic that she is not afraid to talk about sexuality, nor does she feel boxed in to either the "intelligent" or "freak" dichotomy. In addition to acting as her manager, Megan's grandmother was a major influence on her decision to study health administration and also helped foster her goal to establish assisted living facilities in her hometown of Houston. While she was outside, prosecutors say Lanez shot at his fellow rapper's feet, after which he allegedly offered both women a million dollars to not disclose that he was responsible for the shooting and repeatedly apologized in private for what happened. Megan aint never been greedy in her life, and whatever he invested he made back plus more, Kelsey wrote. 4. She did, however, deny being the person who shot Megan Thee Stallion, despite efforts by Lanez's lawyers to implicate her in the crime. "[106], Outside of music, on February 15, 2022 - her birthday - Megan Thee Stallion announced the launching of a nonprofit, the Pete and Thomas Foundation, in honor of her late mother and father Holly Thomas & Joseph Pete Jr. Megan Thee Stallion has gotten an apology from Carl Crawford, former MLB player and president of 1501 Certified Entertainment. Postpartum. Youve stayed true to yourself and journey without allowing shit to interfere or slow you down, she wrote in a since-deleted post. On Dec. 23, more than two years after Megan Thee Stallion accused the 30-year-old rapper of shooting her in the feet, a jury found him . "[177][176], Peterson pleaded not guilty to assault with a semiautomatic handgun in late November 2020. In June 2021, she offered a full tuition, four year scholarship to the Roc Nation school of music, sports & entertainment at Long Island University. ', The True Story Behind 'Cocaine Bear': A 175-Pound Beast, a Dead Drug Smuggler in Gucci Loafers and More, Michael B. Jordan Meets Reporter at 'Creed III' Premiere Who 'Teased Him all the Time' in High School: 'I Was the Corny Kid, Right? 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Aside from her business ventures, Kelsey enjoys showing off her little boy Drayven, 7 months old. Megan would later accuse Kelsey of colluding with Tory and accepting bribe money to keep quiet about the details of the alleged assault. Truthfully, I was shocked that I ended up in that place. In August 2019, Twitter created an official emoji for this tongue symbol which could be spawned directly after the hashtag "#megantheestallion". [41] It peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Megan Thee Stallion's first top 20 single,[42] and topped the Rolling Stone 100. Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. ', Chris Pine Admits It Did Look Like Harry Styles Spit on Me, but He Did Not: The Vitriol Against Dont Worry Darling Was Ridiculous, Jonathan Majors Pitches a Rom-Com With Issa Rae: 'I Want to Run Through Central Park Trying to Beat Her to the Airport', HBO's Leading Man: Casey Bloys on Perfecting 'The Last of Us,' HBO Max Streaming Merger and Axing Shows, A24 Sweeps Film Categories at the 2023 SAG Awards as 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' Breaks Record for Most Wins, Jean Smart 'Doing Well, Recovering' Following Heart Procedure, Says Hacks Co-Star Hannah Einbinder, Ke Huy Quan Becomes First Asian Male Film Winner at SAG Awards for 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'. [90] The album debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and at number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums with over 100,000 album-equivalent units sold. "She painted the picture that I betrayed her, shes painted the picture that Im this bad person, bad friend, that I took hush money. [155][156][157] She mentioned her mother's death (Ever since my mama died, 2019) on beginning of her song "Flip Flop" from the second studio album, Traumazine, released on August 12, 2022. Megan Thee Stallion built herself into rap's boldest, brashest new voice all while mourning her mom and chasing a degree . I didnt know what to do. What the f*** do you mean your back is against the wall? [70], Megan Thee Stallion became a Global Brand Ambassador for Revlon in August 2020. Kelsey Harris, was "the one who shot her . I just do not want to be here.". Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Ultimately, she said, He mentioned a million dollarsI guess it was just about the case.. Harris has repeatedly testified that most of the occurrences of that night were blurry because the group had been drinking at Kylie Jenners home prior to the assault. [143] The same month, Megan teamed up with Amazon Music to donate to a Nursing Facility in Houston. Eric Torres of Pitchfork wrote: "she provided plenty of freak anthems with quotable lyrics to wield against ain't-shit men". [26] It was during this time that she was scheduled to support Australian rapper Iggy Azalea on her Bad Girls Tour;[27] however, the tour was later cancelled. "The night was a blur. Harris also testified that she was the one who told her friend that she didn't look as good as when they had arrived and suggested they leave. According toLaw & Crimes Meghann Cuniff,Ta asked Harris at the top of questioning: What happened between September and today that you forgot everything?, referring to a September interview in which Harris gave several details corroborating Petes story that Lanez whose real name is Daystar Peterson had shot her. Harris asserted in the court that she did not pull the trigger on the rapper, which is against Tory Lanez's claims. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Harris testified some things were true in that video, but not all of it repeating she had forgotten much of what she initially said because she is anxious, dealing with postpartum depression and death in the family, a note she made the first time she took the stand on Wednesday. In 2020, Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world on their annual list. Harris had blindsided prosecutors that morning when she immediately requested use immunity, which was granted, but she remained somewhat unresponsive to questions relating to the assault and invoked her fifth amendment rights repeatedly. [67] She released the song "Girls in the Hood" on June 26, 2020,[68] before featuring on Cardi B's single "WAP" and appearing in its music video in August 2020. She testified that she and Harris had been partying at Kylie Jenner's home for several hours before Lanez arrived, and that she wanted to leave because her wig was slipping. In July 2020, Megan Thee Stallion was the victim of a shooting committed by rapper Tory Lanez in Hollywood Hills, California. Originally from Houston, Texas, she first garnered attention when videos of her freestyling became popular on social media platforms such as Instagram.Megan Thee Stallion signed to 300 Entertainment in 2018, where she released the mixtape Fever . [10] "Hot Girl Meg" is another alter ego who is described as embodying Megan Thee Stallion's carefree and outgoing side, which she compares to a "college, party girl. As previously reported the Houston rapper ripped her former friend Kelsey Nicole in her track "Shots Fired" where she alleged that Kelsey took "hush money" from Tory Lanez to keep quiet about him shooting Meg. Megan Thee Stallion On Kelsey Nicole . Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Prosecutors played her initial police interview, where she claimed she saw Tory shoot at Megan, despite arguing that she cant recall details of the night while testifying. [173], On October 8, 2020, Peterson was charged with shooting Megan Thee Stallion by L.A. County prosecutors. Things between Megan Thee Stallion and her ex-bestie Kelsey Nicole are getting heated.. Megan Thee Stallion said the vehicle was stopped soon afterward by police, who ordered all of the occupants out, as her feet were still bleeding. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Here and Now', "Beyonc and Megan Thee Stallion break the internet for charity with 'Savage' remix", "Jameela Jamil Replaced By Dashaun Wesley As Host Of Voguing Competition Series 'Legendary' Update", "Megan Thee Stallion samples NWA's Eazy-E new song 'Girls In The Hood', "Review: Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's 'WAP' is a savage, nasty, sex-positive triumph", "Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion's 'WAP' Debuts at No. Ta asked, according to Rolling Stone. Sign up to receive The Atlanta Black Star Newsletter in your inbox. Heres what to know about Kelsey, the woman currently testifying in the Tory Lanes trial. Prosecutors played her initial police interview, where she claimed she. During her second day of testimony on Thursday, Megan Thee Stallion's former best friend Kelsey Harris took the witness stand and continued to express confusion and amnesia over the circumstances . [170], The same day, in a statement to Variety, Megan's attorney, Alex Spiro, claimed Peterson's representatives had attempted to launch a "smear campaign," using falsified messages to "peddle a false narrative" discrediting Megan. Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta continued her questioning of Harris, whose first-person account had been long-awaited, as Lanez has repeatedly denied shooting Megan whose real name is Megan Pete during a roadside assault in July 2020. She claimed the person who pulled the trigger was Tory, whose real name is Daystar Peterson. Megan Thee Stallion makes her way from the Hall of Justice to the courthouse to testify in the trial of Rapper Tory Lanez for allegedly shooting her on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA. [135], Megan was on the grid of the 2021 United States Grand Prix where attempts to interview her by Martin Brundle were snubbed by her bodyguards leading to criticism, causing F1 to introduce the "Brundle Clause", prohibiting bodyguards on the race grid. [136][137][138], On December 16, 2021, she signed an exclusive first-look deal at Netflix, to create and executive produce new series and other projects. "I dont know," she said when asked what Lanez said to her in the car, according to Law & Crime. My back was against the wall. Shes seemingly in Megans unreleased music video for Girls In The Hood. While Megan has yet to release the official music video for the song, Kelsey can be seen hanging out on what appears to be a set! There are many lies," she said, according to Variety. [35] On June 20, 2019, she was announced to be one of eleven artists included in the 12th edition of XXL's "Freshman Class". "[114], In multiple interviews, Megan Thee Stallion has referred to herself as "Tina Snow", one of her alter egos and also the name of her debut EP, Tina Snow. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. On Wednesday, she testified "some of those things I stated, they were not accurate," the magazine reported. Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. ': Stream It Now", "Megan Thee Stallion, Phony Ppl Get Down in a Car Wash in 'Fkn Around' Video", "Watch Megan Thee Stallion Perform "B.I.T.C.H." Specifically, she pronounces the "Thee" as an unstressed //, and not /i/ as in. "[34] On May 21, 2019, she released the music video for the opening album track, "Realer", which is inspired by the blaxploitation film style. [86] She received four nominations at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and Record of the Year for "Savage (Remix)".