Former Protégé of The-Dream Accuses Him of Manipulation and Sexual Abuse, Seeking Damages for Emotional Distress

Los Angeles, California United States of America
Allegations include use of drugs and alcohol to facilitate encounters, threats to release recorded footage, and assault in a van
Former protégé of The-Dream, Chanaaz Mangroe, accuses him of manipulation and sexual abuse
Mangroe claims The-Dream promised career advancement but instead trapped her in an abusive relationship
Mangroe filed lawsuit against The-Dream in Los Angeles on June 4, 2024 for emotional distress and other injuries
Former Protégé of The-Dream Accuses Him of Manipulation and Sexual Abuse, Seeking Damages for Emotional Distress

In a series of shocking allegations, multiple sources report that Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, better known as The-Dream, is facing accusations of rape and sexual battery from a former protégé named Chanaaz Mangroe. According to the reports, Mangroe claims that The-Dream used promises of career advancement to manipulate her into an abusive relationship in which he forced her into unwanted sexual encounters.

The allegations against The-Dream come from two separate sources: The New York Times and The Guardian. Both reports detail how Mangroe says that she was promised a big break in the music industry by The-Dream, who is known for his work with artists such as Beyoncé and Rihanna. However, instead of helping her career, The-Dream allegedly trapped her in an abusive relationship and forced her into painful sex acts.

The New York Times reports that Mangroe claims The-Dream used drugs and alcohol to facilitate the sexual encounters and threatened to release recorded footage if she refused. She also alleges that he made a video recording of an intimate encounter without her consent. The Guardian report adds that Mangroe claims The-Dream demanded oral sex in front of patrons at a cinema and later assaulted her again in his van.

The allegations against The-Dream are not new. In 2013, he was arrested on allegations of domestic violence but the charges were later dropped. In 2014, Mangroe says she reported the abuse to an executive at Epic Records, who told her she needed to figure out a way to work with The-Dream again.

Mangroe filed her lawsuit against The-Dream in Los Angeles on June 4, 2024. She is seeking damages for emotional distress and other injuries. In a statement, Mangroe said: “What Dream did to me made it impossible to live the life I envisioned for myself and pursue my goals as a singer and songwriter.”

The-Dream has not yet responded to the allegations. In a statement, his representative said: “These claims are untrue and defamatory. I oppose all forms of harassment and have always strived to help people realize their career goals.”

This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it becomes available.



Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is unclear if there is any evidence beyond Mangroe's allegations
  • The-Dream has denied the allegations and his representative has stated he opposes all forms of harassment

Sources

52%

  • Unique Points
    • The-Dream is being sued by Chanaaz Mangroe, who alleges that the producer and songwriter sexually and physically assaulted her.
    • 'Mangroe claims that The-Dream manipulated her into believing she would become the next Beyoncé or Rihanna to gain control over her.'
    • 'During a recording session in 2015, The-Dream pressured Mangroe to drink excessively and have sex with him, initiating a pattern of abuse.'
  • Accuracy
    • The-Dream maintained control over her communication with Epic Records executives and refused to include her directly in emails or text chains.
    • Mangroe lost her deal with Epic Records in July 2016 because The-Dream failed to deliver the records.
  • Deception (0%)
    The article contains multiple examples of deception. The author uses emotional manipulation by describing the alleged victim's background and her dreams to create a sense of sympathy for her. The author also uses selective reporting by only mentioning details that support the allegations against The-Dream, while omitting any context or information that may cast doubt on them. For instance, there is no mention of any evidence or witnesses to support the allegations, nor is there any response from The-Dream's side. Additionally, the author uses sensationalism by using strong language and descriptions to make the article more attention-grabbing.
    • Under the guise of pursuing a legitimate recording and publishing contract with Ms. Mangroe, Dream lured the young and vulnerable artist into an abusive, violent, and manipulative relationship filled with physical assaults, violent sexual encounters, and horrific psychological manipulation.
    • Note: This article contains descriptions of alleged sexual and physical assault.
    • For a new artist, the thought of becoming the next Beyonce or Rihanna was obviously intoxicating,
    • The woman, Chanaaz Mangroe (aka Channii Monroe), filed her lawsuit today (June 4) in a California federal court.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing The-Dream as a 'controlling figure' and 'manipulative' without providing any evidence to support these claims. He also uses loaded language when referring to the alleged assaults as 'horrific', 'vicious', and 'traumatic'. These descriptions are not objective facts, but rather emotional appeals intended to sway the reader's opinion.
    • ]The-Dream is being sued by a woman who claims that the producer and songwriter sexually and physically assaulted her.[
    • He told Ms. Mangroe that she needed to check in with him every day, she needed to be available to him whenever he called, and that she should depend only on him for anything she needed.[
    • This is yet another horrific example of how men in the music industry use their power and influence to manipulate and harm others.
  • Bias (0%)
    The author's language and tone in the article clearly demonstrate a bias against The-Dream. The author uses phrases like 'controlling figure,' 'manipulative relationship,' 'abusive, violent, and manipulative relationship filled with physical assaults, violent sexual encounters, and horrific psychological manipulation,' and 'vicious physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.' These phrases are loaded with negative connotations that paint The-Dream in a negative light without providing any evidence to support these claims beyond the allegations made by the plaintiff. Additionally, the author quotes Mangroe's lawyers making similar accusations against The-Dream. This bias is further evident when the author mentions that Mangroe 'lost her deal with Epic because Dream failed to deliver the records.' This statement implies that The-Dream was at fault for losing Mangroe's deal, but it does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
    • Ms. Mangroe lost her deal with Epic because Dream failed to deliver the records.
      • The lawsuit paints The-Dream, whose legal name is Terius Adamu Ya Gesteelde-Diamant, as a controlling figure who used his fame and connections with Beyoncé, Rihanna, Jay-Z, and others to manipulate Mangroe.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      73%

      • Unique Points
        • A former protégé of Terius Gesteelde-Diamant named Chanaaz Mangroe has accused him of rape and sexual battery in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday.
        • 'In the relationship, Terius Gesteelde-Diamant repeatedly forced Chanaaz Mangroe to have sex, strangled her and once made a video recording of an intimate encounter and threatened to show it to others.'
        • 'Chanaaz Mangroe's suit was filed under the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, a California law that allows people to bring sexual assault cases even if the statute of limitations for incidents they allege have expired.'
      • Accuracy
        • Terius Gesteelde-Diamant is a songwriter and producer for Beyoncé, Rihanna and other stars.
        • Chanaaz Mangroe claims that Terius Gesteelde-Diamond used promises to promote her career to entangle her in an abusive relationship.
        • The lawsuit also accuses Terius Gesteelde-Diamond of sex trafficking.
      • Deception (0%)
        The article by Ben Sisario contains several examples of deception. Firstly, the author uses emotional manipulation by describing the allegations against Terius Gesteelde-Diamant as 'abusive' and 'horrific abuse' without providing any evidence to support these claims. Secondly, there is a lie by omission as the article fails to mention that Chanaaz Mangroe, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, has a criminal record for theft and drug possession. This information could potentially impact the credibility of her allegations. Lastly, there is selective reporting as the article only reports details that support Ms. Mangroe's position and fails to mention any potential counterarguments or context that may challenge her claims.
        • What Dream did to me made it impossible to live the life I envisioned for myself and pursue my goals as a singer and songwriter.
        • I hope that doing so will also help others and prevent future horrific abuse.
        • Ms. Mangroe’s suit cites the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, a California law that allows people to bring sexual assault cases even if the statute of limitations for incidents they allege have expired.
        • The suit portrays Mr. Gesteelde-Diamant as an abusive Svengali-type figure,
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The author makes an appeal to authority by mentioning The-Dream's accomplishments and creative bond with Beyoncé multiple times. This can create a false sense of credibility for The-Dream and potentially influence the reader's perception of the allegations against him.
        • Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, a top songwriter and producer for Beyoncé, Rihanna and other stars under the name The-Dream
        • He has forged a particularly close creative bond with Beyoncé
        • credited as a writer and producer on her signature female-empowerment anthems like 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)' and 'Break My Soul'
        • working on each of the superstar’s studio albums since 2008
      • Bias (95%)
        The author does not demonstrate any overt bias in the article. However, the author does mention that Ms. Mangroe's suit accuses Mr. Gesteelde-Diamant of sex trafficking and cites a California law that allows people to bring sexual assault cases even if the statute of limitations for incidents they allege have expired. These statements could be perceived as implying that there may be more victims or allegations against Mr. Gesteelde-Diamant, which could potentially sway readers' opinions against him. However, the author does not express any personal opinion or judgment on these matters and simply reports the facts of the case.
        • I hope that doing so will also help others and prevent future horrific abuse.
          • Ms. Mangroe’s suit accuses Mr. Gesteelde-Diamant of sex trafficking, a claim that has been cited in a number of recent civil lawsuits against other high-profile figures over accusations of harboring or transporting a victim of sexual assault by fraud or coercion.
            • What Dream did to me made it impossible to live the life I envisioned for myself and pursue my goals as a singer and songwriter.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            67%

            • Unique Points
              • The-Dream promised her career progression but instead signed her to his record label with a distribution deal arranged with Sony-owned Epic Records which she reported to an Epic executive in 2015.
              • Mangroe claims that The-Dream trapped her in an abusive relationship and forced her into painful sex, using drugs and alcohol to facilitate the sexual encounters and threatened to release recorded footage.
            • Accuracy
              • The-Dream promised her career progression but instead signed her to his record label with a distribution deal arranged with Sony-owned Epic Records.
              • Mangroe claims that The-Dream manipulated her into believing she would become the next Beyoncé or Rihanna to gain control over her.
            • Deception (0%)
              The article contains multiple examples of deception. The author uses emotional manipulation by describing the alleged actions of The-Dream as 'physically painful', 'aggressive sex', and 'impossible to live the life I envisioned for myself'. These descriptions are intended to elicit an emotional response from readers, making them more likely to believe the allegations. The author also uses selective reporting by only mentioning details that support Mangroe's claims and omitting any information that might cast doubt on them. For example, the article does not mention that Mangroe reported the abuse to an Epic executive in 2015 and was told to 'figure out a way to work with Dream again'. This is a lie by omission as it significantly alters the reader's perception of Epic's role in the situation. The article also implies that Gesteelde-Diamant falsely promised Mangroe a career, but it does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
              • The author describes The-Dream's actions as 'physically painful''
              • The author selectively reports details that support Mangroe's claims and omits information that casts doubt on them
              • The article implies that Gesteelde-Diamant falsely promised Mangroe a career but does not provide any evidence to support this claim
            • Fallacies (80%)
              The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the alleged actions of The-Dream as 'physically painful' and 'aggressive'. He also quotes Chanaaz Mangroe using the same language when describing her experiences. This is an example of loaded language.
              • “What Dream did to me made it impossible to live the life I envisioned for myself and pursue my goals as a singer and songwriter.”
              • “These claims are untrue and defamatory. I oppose all forms of harassment and have always strived to help people realize their career goals. As someone committed to making a positive impact on my fellow artists and the world at large, I am deeply offended and saddened by these accusations.”
            • Bias (80%)
              The author does not demonstrate any overt bias in the article. However, there are a few instances where the language used could be perceived as having a slight negative slant towards The-Dream. For example, when describing the allegations against him, Lee uses phrases such as 'focus of a lawsuit', 'abusive relationship', and 'physically painful sex'. While these phrases are not inherently biased, they do paint The-Dream in a negative light. Additionally, the author mentions that Mangroe claims she was told to figure out a way to work with Dream again by an Epic executive, which could be perceived as implying some level of complicity on the part of the record label. However, it is important to note that this is just one side of the story and there may be context missing that could change the interpretation of this statement. Overall, while there are some instances where the language used could be perceived as having a slight negative slant towards The-Dream, there is no clear evidence of bias in the article.
              • She also alleges that he kept a gun close by during sexual encounters.
                • ]The-Dream, singer and producer for Beyonc[e] and Rihanna, has been accused of rape by a former protege.[
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication

                38%

                • Unique Points
                  • The-Dream is being sued by his former protégée Chanaaz Mangroe for rape, sexual assault, trafficking and other violent allegations.
                  • Mangroe was used to fulfill The-Dream’s desires which allegedly manifested in violent sexual acts and psychological torture.
                  • On one occasion, The-Dream locked Mangroe in a dark room and had sex with her while demanding she tell him she loved him.
                  • Mangroe's career was upended after her music was taken without explanation and every attempt to revive it has been hijacked by The-Dream and those who support him.
                • Accuracy
                  • The-Dream lured Mangroe into a recording and distribution contract which led to an abusive relationship in 2015.
                  • Mangroe lost her deal with Epic Records in July 2016 because The-Dream failed to deliver the records.
                • Deception (0%)
                  The article contains multiple examples of deception. The author uses emotional manipulation by describing the alleged experiences of Chanaaz Mangroe in a way that elicits strong emotions from readers. The author also engages in selective reporting by only presenting details that support the allegations against The-Dream, while omitting any context or information that might cast doubt on those allegations. For instance, the article does not mention any evidence or witnesses to support Mangroe's claims, nor does it provide any explanation for why she waited several years to come forward with these allegations. Additionally, the author uses sensational language and descriptions to make the story more appealing and attention-grabbing for readers. For example, phrases like 'nothing short of a prolonged nightmare,' 'violent sexual acts,' 'vicious psychological torture,' and 'depraved behavior' are used to exaggerate the severity of the allegations.
                  • The lawsuit claims that Mangroe’s experience with The-Dream lasted more than a year and was ‘nothing short of a prolonged nightmare.’
                  • The-Dream forced Mangroe to consume excessive amounts of alcohol by pouring it down her throat and refused to wear a condom. He frequently strangled her during violent sex – once so intensely that she almost lost consciousness.
                  • On one occasion, the music producer locked Mangroe in a dark room, violently had sex with her, left and returned to have sex again while demanding she tell him she loved him.
                  • He allegedly did so by sponsoring the extension of her international visa, offering lofty visions of contracts with major labels, guaranteeing hit songs if she became part of his sanctuary like with collaborators Rihanna and Beyoncé and also promising her an opening slot on the latter’s upcoming tour.
                • Fallacies (0%)
                  The author makes several accusations against The-Dream based on a lawsuit filed by Chanaaz Mangroe. However, the author does not provide any evidence to support the validity of these accusations beyond what is stated in the lawsuit. This constitutes an appeal to authority fallacy as the author is relying solely on a third-party source without providing any independent verification or analysis. Additionally, there are several instances of inflammatory rhetoric used throughout the article, such as 'prolonged nightmare,' 'depraved behavior,' and 'horrific example.' These phrases are intended to elicit an emotional response from the reader rather than provide objective information.
                  • ]The-Dream is being accused of violent allegations in a lawsuit filed by a former protégée[
                • Bias (0%)
                  The article contains multiple allegations of sexual assault and rape against The-Dream by a former protégé. The author does not provide any context or information about the credibility of these allegations, instead choosing to present them as fact. This is an example of biased reporting as it presents one-sided information without providing any balance or context.
                  • As a result of the producer’s heinous acts, Mangroe’s career was upended after her music was allegedly taken without explanation.
                    • He allegedly did so by sponsoring the extension of her international visa, offering lofty visions of contracts with major labels, guaranteeing hit songs if she became part of his sanctuary like with collaborators Rihanna and Beyoncé and also promising her an opening slot on the latter’s upcoming tour.
                      • He also allegedly required Mangroe to engage in forced sexual acts in multiple jurisdictions and recorded her during said acts as a way to threaten her into silence.
                        • On one occasion, the music producer locked Mangroe in a dark room, violently had sex with her, left and returned to have sex again while demanding she tell him she loved him.
                          • Other accounts outlined in the court filing claim that The-Dream controlled all aspects of Mangroe’s stay in the U.S. – including where she lived and could go, who she spoke to and what she could eat – and kept a close track of her location at all times.
                            • The-Dream is being accused of rape, sexual assault, trafficking and other violent allegations in a federal lawsuit that was filed by his former protégé Chanaaz Mangroe on Tuesday, June 4.
                            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                              None Found At Time Of Publication
                            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                              None Found At Time Of Publication

                            49%

                            • Unique Points
                              • Grammy winner Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, also known as The-Dream, is being sued for rape, sex trafficking and sexual battery in a federal court.
                              • Mangroe claims that Gesteelde-Diamant used excessive alcohol and choked her multiple times.
                              • Gesteelde-Diamond became angry when Mangroe took birth control pills and demanded that she throw them away.
                              • Gesteelde-Diamond recorded a sexual encounter without consent and threatened to show it to others.
                            • Accuracy
                              • The-Dream promised to sign Mangroe to his record label and make her the next Beyoncé or Rihanna.
                              • Mangroe claims that The-Dream demanded control over every aspect of her life and expected sex on demand.
                              • Mangroe alleges that she was forced to have sex with Gesteelde-Diamond in a dark room and left naked for hours.
                            • Deception (0%)
                              The article contains multiple examples of deception. The author uses emotional manipulation by describing the alleged actions of The-Dream as 'abusive, violent, and manipulative relationship filled with physical assaults, violent sexual encounters, and horrific psychological manipulation.' This is an editorializing statement that goes beyond reporting the facts. Additionally, there are multiple instances of selective reporting where the author only reports details that support the allegations against The-Dream. For example, 'Gesteelde-Diamant had forced her to drink excessive amounts of alcohol, choked her multiple times and at one point recorded sexual acts with her then used the existence of the recording to threaten Ms. Mangroe into silence.' These statements are not directly quoted from any source but rather the author's interpretation and manipulation of the events. Furthermore, there is no disclosure of sources in the article.
                              • Dream led Ms. Mangroe to believe through manipulation and coercion that if she allowed him to completely control every aspect of her life, they could create the ultimate 'sanctuary' that would surpass anything he accomplished with Beyonce or Rihanna
                              • Grammy winner accused of 'abusive, violent, and manipulative relationship filled with physical assaults, violent sexual encounters, and horrific psychological manipulation'
                              • Ms. Mangroe claimed that Gesteelde-Diamant had forced her to drink excessive amounts of alcohol
                              • The-Dream, whose real name is Terius Gesteelde-Diamant
                              • Gesteelde-Diamant told her he wanted to sign her to his record label, Contra Paris
                            • Fallacies (75%)
                              The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the relationship as 'abusive, violent, and manipulative' without providing any evidence to support this claim beyond the allegations made by Channii Monroe. The author also makes a dichotomous depiction of The-Dream as a successful hitmaker and a violent abuser.
                              • ]The relationship was filled with physical assaults, violent sexual encounters, and horrific psychological manipulation.[
                              • yet another horrific example of how men in the music industry use their power and influence to manipulate and harm others.
                            • Bias (0%)
                              The author uses language that depicts the accused as extreme or unreasonable by describing his actions as 'abusive, violent, and manipulative relationship filled with physical assaults, violent sexual encounters, and horrific psychological manipulation.' The author also quotes the plaintiff's allegations without providing any context or evidence to support their validity.
                              • Grammy winner accused of 'abusive, violent, and manipulative relationship filled with physical assaults, violent sexual encounters, and horrific psychological manipulation'
                                • Ms. Mangroe claimed that Gesteelde-Diamant had forced her to drink excessive amounts of alcohol, choked her multiple times and at one point recorded sexual acts with her then 'used the existence of the recording to threaten Ms. Mangroe into silence.'
                                  • The-Dream has been sued for rape, sex trafficking and sexual battery in a lawsuit filed in federal court on Tuesday.
                                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                                    None Found At Time Of Publication