Female Rapper Sues Lyft After Driver Refused To Pick Her Up For This Reason

A rapper from Michigan is pursuing legal action against Lyft, asserting that a driver declined to pick her up due to concerns about her weight potentially exceeding the car’s capacity. Dajua Blanding, 36, known by her stage name Dank Demoss, recorded the incident earlier this month. The video depicts her in a dispute with the driver, where she asserts her ability to fit in the vehicle, while he consistently disagrees.

“I can fit in this car,” Blanding stated in the footage.

In response, the driver remarked, “Believe me, you can’t.”

Ultimately, the driver canceled the ride, assuring Blanding that she would not incur any charges. Nevertheless, she has filed a lawsuit against the rideshare service, claiming that the experience left her feeling humiliated and discriminated against.

“I’ve been in cars smaller than that,” she expressed in an interview. “I just want them to understand that it hurt my feelings.”

After sharing the video on Instagram, she received a flood of reactions, with many supporting the driver. Some suggested that she should have chosen a larger vehicle, such as a Lyft XL, designed for more space.

“It’s against the law to overload a car,” one commenter noted. “The driver was polite, explained his reasoning, and even apologized… try seeing things from another perspective.”

Despite the criticism, Blanding remained resolute. In the caption of her now widely-shared post, she accused Lyft of mistreating plus-sized passengers.

“AM I WRONG?” she questioned. “Lyft, what do you have to say about this driver who discriminated against me? I feel like you all treat big people poorly, as if we don’t belong here.”

Her lawsuit claims that the driver arrived in a Mercedes-Benz sedan but locked the doors upon her approach.The rear of a vehicle displaying a Lyft sticker, Photo Credit: FOX 5 Atlanta/Youtube

In the video, Blanding is heard questioning, “What do I have to do with your tires?”

Her legal representatives, Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan, contend that the driver’s refusal to provide service constitutes a violation of Michigan law, which recognizes weight as a protected characteristic.

Marko stated to Fox 2, “I was aware that it was illegal, and I recognized it as wrong,” drawing a parallel between this incident and the denial of service based on race or religion.

Runyan added, “Refusing someone transportation due to their weight is not only unlawful but also poses a risk. Consider the potential danger if Ms. Blanding had been left in an unsafe situation—this could have resulted in a far worse outcome.”

While some detractors claim that the lawsuit unjustly targets a driver merely attempting to safeguard his vehicle, Blanding has remained resolute. Shortly after posting the initial footage, she shared another video on Instagram featuring herself in yoga shorts and a jacket, stating:

“Me trying to get Lyft to stop discriminating against my weight and allow me in the car! Would you let me in?? Anyway, meet me at the Sexxy Red afterparty.”

Blanding has previously discussed her weight, revealing in December that she weighed over 500 pounds but had recently lost more than 40 pounds.

The side of a car with a blurred driver, Photo Credit: FOX 5 Atlanta/Youtube

In response to the controversy, Lyft issued a statement asserting that the company “unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination.” The statement continued, “We advocate for a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and kindness. Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.”

As the lawsuit progresses, it prompts broader discussions regarding passenger rights, driver discretion, and the delicate balance between personal safety concerns and discrimination within the gig economy.