Dr Dre the music producer and veteran NWA rapper, has reportedly threatened to sue Sony Pictures over a new film about his former girlfriend Michel’le, which depicts him as a woman beater; beating her to an unrecognisable pulp.
The TV movie ‘Surviving Compton,’ is due for release this week, but according to TMZ, Dre’s lawyers have sent a cease and desist letter to the company threatening legal action, insisting that Michel’le, “never sought medical treatment or filed a police report.” The film is said to show Dre’s character punching Michel’le, grabbing her hair and drawing a gun on her. .
Trailer for Surviving Compton: shows Dre’s character gripping Michel’le by the neck and threatening her
Michel’le has accused Dre of breaking her nose and ribs, and giving her several black eyes. Michel’le did not press charges, however, Dre was charged with aggravated battery over an incident which occurred with a Ms Tairrie Barnes in 1991. He pleaded no contest, and was fined $2,513 and sentenced to 240 hours of community service. A civil suit was settled out of court.
Dre has not responded to the allegations separately, but last year apologised in the New York Times to “the women I’ve hurt”.
He wrote:
“Twenty-five years ago I was a young man drinking too much and in over my head with no real structure in my life. However, none of this is an excuse for what I did. I’ve been married for 19 years and every day I’m working to be a better man for my family, seeking guidance along the way. I’m doing everything I can so I never resemble that man again.”
Michel’le has criticised Dre’s litigious approach
“What doesn’t make sense is, why would you publicly apologise for beating women, and then turn around and say, ‘I didn’t beat a woman?’”
She further added:
“That doesn’t make any sense to me, that’s an oxymoron. If he would like to take me to court and sue me, then we should both do our depositions so we can get the story right. And I have witnesses, so I don’t think people are gonna get up there and say, ‘No, we didn’t see anything.’”
