Ex-assistant to American Grammy award-winning rapper Kanye West says she was forced into hiding after filing legal proceedings against the artist, triggering intense public backlash and personal threats over her allegations.

The claims were made by Lauren Pisciotta, a 36-year-old who began working with West in 2021. She first filed a lawsuit in 2024, accusing him of sexual assault and stalking. Her updated complaint now includes accusations of sex trafficking, rape, and further harassment.

Mr West has denied the allegations, calling them “fantasy fiction.” The civil case is expected to return to court next month in the U.S., but Pisciotta’s attorney says his client is now in hiding and “afraid” for her safety.

Speaking to BBC News, Pisciotta’s lawyer, Arick Fudali, said she deleted most of her online accounts and is staying out of sight. “It’s really sad,” he said. “She’s been through a lot and has been suffering since she started working for Mr West.”

According to the amended lawsuit filed on July 10, Pisciotta said she was targeted in a “swatting” attack shortly after her legal filing of a false police report led to an armed raid at her Florida home, with authorities being misled to believe she had killed her mother. She also says she began receiving anonymous threatening phone calls urging her to abandon the case.

The lawsuit outlines repeated instances of alleged sexual misconduct by West. One of the most serious, she claimed, happened during the ‘DONDA’ album sessions, when West entered her hotel room, asked to use her shower, then came out naked and allegedly forced her into oral sex.

She also alleged that West regularly filmed sexual encounters with Yeezy staff and sent the footage to her, alongside graphic messages and disturbing fantasies involving her.

Beyond the sexual claims, Pisciotta accused West of fostering a toxic and hateful workplace culture. She said employees were exposed to racist and antisemitic language and were even instructed to draw swastikas (The Nazi Symbol).

In an interview on the BBC’s Fame Under Fire podcast, Fudali said West’s public behaviour mirrors Pisciotta’s accusations. “He has a song called Heil Hitler. He refers to himself as a walking ‘Me Too.’ He’s admitted to harassing staff publicly, so you can only imagine what went on privately.”

Though West hasn’t directly confessed to any crimes online, Fudali said his social media activity would be brought forward during deposition and used as evidence in court.

West’s team has not issued any new statement on the matter. But in an earlier response shared with USA Today, a spokesperson dismissed Pisciotta’s claims as “a breathless new instalment of fantasy fiction.” 

The controversial rapper has also been involved in other controversies in recent times. Adidas and Balenciaga dropped him after he made antisemitic comments, walked out of interviews, and often posted offensive things and comments online.