Detroit Rapper Dank Demoss Hits Lyft with Lawsuit Over Discrimination Claims, Lyft Responds
Detroit rapper Dank Demoss, whose real name is Dajua Blanding, has filed a lawsuit against Lyft, alleging she was refused a ride by a Lyft driver due to her weight. Blanding claims she could have fit in the vehicle and accuses the company of discrimination. Lyft, in a statement to The North Carolina Beat, has acknowledged the incident and emphasized its commitment to anti-discrimination policies.
Lyft’s Official Statement
In a statement, Lyft said, “Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination—we believe in a community with equal respect and mutual kindness. Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.”
The company declined to comment further, citing the ongoing litigation, stating they could not discuss “specific incidents involving pending litigation.”
The Incident
The dispute began on January 18, when Blanding, represented by Marko Law, PLLC, called a Lyft to travel from home to a cousin’s house to watch a football game. When the driver arrived, he allegedly refused to let Blanding enter his car. According to Blanding, the driver refused her ride, claiming she was “too big” to fit in the car, though this statement is not audible in a video of the incident.
Dank Demoss Weight
In the viral TikTok clip shared by Blanding, the driver suggested she book a larger vehicle and remarked that the car’s tyres could not support her weight. “I’ve been in this situation before,” the driver stated in the video. Blanding responded, “So every big person, you turn down because they can’t fit in your car?” She added that she had not experienced similar issues with Lyft.
Blanding, who revealed in a 2024 social media post that she weighs 554 pounds, expressed her frustration on TikTok, writing, “@Lyft I’m humiliated and embarrassed.”
Legal Claims Dank Demoss sues Lyft for weight discrimination
The lawsuit, filed under the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, seeks compensation for stress, mental anguish, attorney fees, and other damages. According to her attorneys, the driver’s actions constitute illegal discrimination.
“Under the law, refusing someone transportation due to their weight is no different than refusing someone transportation based on their race or religion,” attorney Jon Marko said. “Discrimination of any kind should never be tolerated in our society.”
Attorney Zach Runyan added, “Refusing someone transportation based on their weight is not only illegal, but dangerous. Imagine the consequences if Ms. Blanding were unable to seek shelter after the driver left her stranded. This could have ended even worse than it did.”
Money grab. See the smile on their faces? This is not a race or religious situation. It’s a physical one that could have caused the driver problems with his vehicle.
She need to be ashamed of herself for wasting erebodii time😑
554 pounds!! That tiny car can not handle that kind of weight. Lyft has the option to or XL and XXL cars and she was too cheap. The man was within his rights. He doesn’t have to take anyone that he doesn’t want too. Its a shame she after a money grab bc her music must not be selling. Disgraceful!!!!
Oh hush