How Tory Lanez case demonstrates Hollywood’s misogyny

Bott told the jury they should believe Megan, as she ‘never would have subjected herself to the torrent of public abuse she’s received if she wasn’t telling the truth’.

‘Why would she lie?’ the LA County DA said. ‘She’s been subjected to a stream of hate. For what? For coming forward as a victim of domestic violence?’.

The DA’s comments highlight the continued issue Hollywood has with successful Black women. And women, period.

At the core of this case is a woman abused violently by a man.

Yet even in the courtroom, Lanez’ attorney tried to spin the incident and paint Megan as a scorned woman.

In his closing argument, George Mgdesyan told jurors that Megan’s story was a lie to cover up ‘the embarrassing, potentially career-damaging truth that she was shot by her best friend – not Lanez – in a jealous dispute over him’.

Mgdesyan’s words are telling. Not only do they claim that to be shot by another woman is ‘embarrassing’, implying that woman-on-woman violence is in some way laughable.

But they also disregard Megan’s pain and trauma, despite Mgdesyan stating that Megan was in fact shot – even if not by Lanez himself.

Mgdesyan mocked Megan’s experience along with countless members of the press and public.

‘It’s been so bad for her,’ he said. ‘She’s won Grammys. She’s had number ones on the Billboard charts.

‘You know who it’s been bad for? That man right there,’ Mgdesyan said of Lanez. ‘He hasn’t been able to work. He’s had to go through this with his family for 2 1/2 years.’

Using Megan’s achievements to validate her status as a liar, to minimise her suffering – as if fame and success can outweigh any form of trauma – highlights the dismissal of Black women by those in positions of power.

Following the trial, Megan’s lawyers told reporters ‘the jury got it right. I am thankful there is justice for Meg’.

Lanez will face up to 22 years in prison for the attack. But while his supporters continue to dismiss Megan, the case has sparked international conversation around the treatment of Black female victims, their reluctance to speak to the police, and the gender politics of hip-hop.