It’s a discrimination lawsuit.
A 554-pound rapper, who identifies as a “big beautiful woman” (BBW), has filed a lawsuit against Lyft, claiming that a driver in Detroit hurt her feelings by refusing to give her a ride to a Detroit Lions watch party. Dajua Blanding, also known as Dank Demoss, recorded the incident on January 18 and shared it on TikTok and Instagram before hiring Marko Law, PLLC to represent her in a lawsuit accusing Lyft of discrimination.
During the encounter, Blanding, 36, tried to convince the driver of a Mercedes-Benz sedan that she could fit in the car. However, the driver apologized and explained that his car’s low-profile tires couldn’t support her weight, which Blanding later stated in a social media post was 554 pounds. The driver suggested she order an Uber XL, a larger vehicle, and offered to refund the fare.
Blanding, visibly upset, responded that she had ridden in smaller cars before and wanted to make it known that the incident hurt her feelings. Attorney Jon Marko filed the lawsuit under Michigan’s Elliott-Larson Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on various characteristics, including weight. Marko argued that denying someone a ride due to their weight is as unacceptable as discrimination based on race or religion.
The lawsuit also seeks compensation for emotional distress and damages. Other social media users, however, expressed differing opinions, with some suggesting that the driver acted out of practicality and not malice. Lyft, in response to the lawsuit, issued a statement condemning discrimination, affirming that its guidelines prohibit such behavior within its community.
