Vanessa LeMaistre: Allegations Surrounding Metro Boomin and Lawsuit Over 2016 Assault
Leland Tyler Wayne, known professionally as Metro Boomin, is facing legal action from a woman who accuses him of s*xual assault that allegedly occurred in 2016. Reports from TMZ Hip Hop, based on court filings, indicate that the lawsuit was officially submitted by Vanessa LeMaistre on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, targeting the Grammy-winning music producer.
Vanessa LeMaistre describes herself as a shaman, motivational speaker, and author from Los Angeles. She is the founder of Soul XO, a business dedicated to providing tarot readings and conducting healing circle rituals, along with offering products such as soy candles.
According to the legal suit, LeMaistre asserts that she met Leland during her period of mourning for her late son and they quickly developed a friendship. However, after months of acquaintance, while at Metro Boomin’s studio, she reportedly consumed Xanax combined with alcohol and subsequently blacked out. Upon regaining consciousness, she alleges that the music producer was assaulting her. Eventually, she discovered she was pregnant and felt compelled to terminate the pregnancy, as detailed in her claim.
Vanessa LeMaistre faced depression following the loss of her infant son when she encountered Metro Boomin
Vanessa LeMaistre, originally from Miami, Florida, has Haitian-American roots and relocated to Los Angeles in the early 2010s. Her SpeakerHub profile outlines that she possesses a Master’s degree in resilient leadership, specializing in sustainability and social justice from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, along with a public relations degree from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida.
As per her insights shared on SpeakerHub, she is not only an author and motivational speaker but also an entrepreneur and shaman. She embarked on her spiritual journey at the age of 25, engaging in yoga and reading literature aimed at “spiritual enlightenment.”
In an interview published in November 2023 with Bold Journey, LeMaistre recounted starting her venture, SoulXO, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, the business focused on selling “positive intention soy candles”and providing “tarot readings.”Currently, it has expanded to include offerings like “mediumship,””shamanic drumming healing circles,”alongside an e-commerce section.
Her podcast, “Believe in Your Soul,”which she launched in 2018, explores themes of spirituality and self-healing, releasing episodes sporadically as noted in its description on Apple Podcasts.
A recent Canvas Rebel profile highlighted that she published her book “Believe in Your Soul”in October 2023 and is also working on a self-love journal expected to be released later this year.
Vanessa’s son, Kamben, was diagnosed with Zellweger syndrome, a rare genetic condition, and tragically passed away in February 2016, just nine months after his birth. The emotional turmoil from losing her son contributed to her depression when she met Metro Boomin during a trip to Las Vegas.
In memory of her son, LeMaistre initiated a non-profit organization called Kamden’s Room, aimed at assisting children in underprivileged regions such as India, Haiti, and Africa—the latter being where Kamden’s father originates. Her initiatives include education support, guided meditation, book donations, and life skills training.
Recent updates on Soul XO’s website indicate support for Khushi School through the Khushi Charitable Society in India, which aids children with educational expenses and resources.
LeMaistre alleges that Metro Boomin referenced her assault in his 2017 song “Rap Saved Me”
As reported by TMZ Hip Hop, Vanessa LeMaistre’s lawsuit details how she first met Metro Boomin during a spring 2016 trip to Las Vegas, where they formed a friendship. Following an invitation to his studio in September, she claims to have witnessed Metro using codeine against the advice of his acquaintances. In a bid to cope with her grief, she took half a Xanax and consumed alcohol, leading her to lose consciousness.
Upon waking up, she reportedly found herself being assaulted by the artist, after which she blacked out again. When she regained her senses, she learned that she was in a Beverly Hills hotel, devoid of any memory of how she had arrived there. Eventually, she discovered her pregnancy and underwent a termination in November.
In response to these allegations, Metro Boomin’s attorney, Lawrence Hinkle II from Sanders Roberts LLP, characterized the claims as “false,”asserting:
“This is a pure shakedown. These are false accusations. Mr. Wayne refused to pay her months ago, and he refuses to pay her now. Mr. Wayne will defend himself in court. He will file a claim for malicious prosecution once he prevails.”
LeMaistre also contends that Metro Boomin referenced her traumatic experience in his 2017 song “Rap Saved Me,”featuring 21 Savage, Offset, and Quavo, with lyrics she believes mock her ordeal: “She took a Xanny / Then she fainted / I’m from the gutter … ain’t no changing.”
For her claims, Vanessa LeMaistre is pursuing unspecified damages for emotional suffering as well as punitive damages intended to penalize the defendant.
Images Credit: We.com
Leave a Reply