Detroit rapper Dajua Blanding, known as Dank Demoss, is suing Lyft after a driver allegedly denied her a ride due to her weight.
The incident occurred earlier this month when Blanding requested a ride to a Detroit Lions watch party.
When the driver arrived and saw Blanding, he reportedly refused to provide the ride, citing concerns about her weight.
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The encounter was captured on video by Blanding, who has since retained legal counsel to pursue a discrimination lawsuit.
According to Blanding, the driver initially claimed that she would not fit in his sedan.
In the video, she can be heard responding, “I can fit in this car,” to which the driver replied, “Believe me, you can’t.”
The driver later added that his car’s tires could not handle the weight, apologized, and suggested she order an Uber XL, which is designed to accommodate larger groups or passengers.
He also offered to refund the ride to ensure she would not be charged.
Blanding, however, insists that she could have fit in the vehicle.
NEW: 489 pound rapper Dank Demoss has launched a lawsuit against Lyft after one of their drivers denied her a ride because he said she wouldn’t fit in his car.
The driver was apparently worried that his car wouldn’t be able to handle her weight.
Demoss claims in her lawsuit… pic.twitter.com/rOQ8Sj4XuM
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 28, 2025
“I’ve been in cars smaller than that,” she told FOX 2.
“I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings.”
Blanding has hired attorneys Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan to file a discrimination lawsuit against Lyft.
Marko claims that weight is a protected characteristic under Michigan law, making the driver’s actions illegal.
“I knew that it was illegal, and I knew that it was wrong,” Marko said.
He compared denying someone a ride based on their weight to discrimination based on race or religion.
Lyft drivers are permitted to decline passengers if they perceive a security threat, but Marko argued that refusing service based on protected characteristics is not allowed under the law.
Lyft issued a statement condemning discrimination and reiterating its commitment to creating an inclusive community.
“Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination—we believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness.
Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination,” the company stated.
Lyft hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit over a driver telling this morbidly obese rapper his car isn’t big enough for her.
Her lawyers say it’s segregation. pic.twitter.com/zXcrgYfmaW
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 28, 2025
Michigan is one of the few states in the U.S. where weight is a protected characteristic under anti-discrimination laws.
This protection extends to employment, housing, and public accommodations, including ride-sharing services like Lyft.
Marko emphasized that the law is clear on this matter and that the driver’s actions violate these protections.
The case highlights ongoing debates about weight discrimination and the responsibilities of ride-sharing companies to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
While Lyft’s terms of service prohibit harassment and discrimination, incidents like this raise questions about the enforcement of these policies.
Blanding’s legal team intends to move forward with the lawsuit, seeking accountability for what they describe as an illegal and hurtful incident.
The outcome of the case could set a precedent for how ride-sharing companies address similar issues in the future.
As the case unfolds, it underscores the importance of adhering to anti-discrimination laws and fostering inclusivity in public services.
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