CALIFORNIA – In a disturbing turn of events, music producer Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, known in the music world as The Dream, has been accused of sexual misconduct by Chanaaz Mangroe, a former protégé who performed under the name Channii Monroe.
According to Mangroe, in 2015, The Dream used the promise of a music career to lure her into an abusive relationship, repeatedly forcing her to have sex, strangling her, and recording an intimate encounter on video, as reported by The New York Times.
In addition to allegations of sexual abuse, The Dream also faces charges of sex trafficking. The lawsuit was filed under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which allows victims to bring cases of sexual assault even after the statute of limitations has expired.
Chanaaz Mangroe, in a statement, expressed the profound impact these experiences had on her life and career: “What Dream did to me made it impossible to live the life I imagined for myself and pursue my goals as a singer and songwriter. Ultimately, my silence became too painful, and I realized I needed to tell my story to heal. I hope doing so will also help others and prevent future horrific abuse.”
In response, The Dream has vehemently denied all accusations.
Mangroe, born in the Netherlands, recounts that in 2014 she was working in the United States when she was asked to send music samples to The Dream. In January 2015, she flew to Atlanta to meet him. According to her testimony, they went to a strip club where he began recording her and promised to make her the next Beyoncé. Just days later, he coerced her into having sex, telling her it was “part of the process.” The accusation includes incidents where The Dream locked her in a dark room and sexually assaulted her.
Mangroe also accuses The Dream of controlling her every move, with his security personnel constantly monitoring her. Additionally, she alleges he kept her drugged and intoxicated and threatened to release videos of their sexual encounters. During these episodes, she claims he would place a gun next to her, which she interpreted as a threat.
Eventually, Mangroe signed with The Dream’s label, Contra Paris, and he arranged a distribution deal for her with Epic Records, a subsidiary of Sony. However, the abuse continued, and when she wanted to leave, she says she was forced to return by company executives.
This is not the first time The Dream has faced abuse accusations. In 2014, he was accused of assaulting an ex-girlfriend who was eight months pregnant, though the charges were dropped the following year.
The serious allegations against The Dream have shaken the music world. As this case unfolds, it highlights the grim realities of abuse of power in the entertainment industry. Chanaaz Mangroe’s story underscores the importance of listening to and supporting victims, and the need to combat abuse and exploitation in all its forms.
