In a lawsuit filed in federal court, music executive L.A. Reid is facing accusations of sexual assault and harassment from Drew Dixon, who worked for him at Arista Records. The lawsuit claims that Reid assaulted Dixon on two separate occasions and retaliated against her when she rejected his advances, ultimately derailing her promising career in the music industry. Dixon, who played a pivotal role in the creation of numerous hit songs, has come forward seeking accountability for the misconduct she endured. This latest allegation adds to Reid’s history of sexual harassment claims, which led to his resignation as chairman of Epic Records in 2017.
Introduction
L.A. Reid, a Grammy-winning music executive known for his work with artists such as Usher and TLC, is facing sexual assault accusations in a lawsuit filed by Drew Dixon, a former employee at Arista Records. The lawsuit, filed under the Adult Survivors Act, alleges that Reid’s misconduct had a detrimental impact on Dixon’s career in the music industry.
Accusations against L.A. Reid
The lawsuit claims that L.A. Reid assaulted Drew Dixon on two occasions while she was working as a vice president at Arista Records. Additionally, the suit alleges that when Dixon rejected Reid’s advances, he retaliated against her by impeding her ability to sign or develop artists, thus hindering her career progression.
Impact on Drew Dixon’s career
As a result of the alleged assaults and subsequent retaliation by L.A. Reid, Drew Dixon’s career in the music industry took a significant hit. Although she had contributed to the recording of a platinum soundtrack and several hit singles, Dixon was never able to fully recover her promising trajectory as a music tastemaker.
Reid’s history of sexual harassment allegations
This is not the first time that L.A. Reid has faced sexual harassment allegations. In 2017, an assistant accused him of sexual harassment, leading to his resignation as chairman of Epic Records. Despite the accusations, Reid went on to co-found another record label, HitCo, before it was sold in the following year.
The Adult Survivors Act and Dixon’s complaint
Drew Dixon’s lawsuit falls under the jurisdiction of the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law that allows individuals who experienced abuse after turning 18 to file civil lawsuits. Dixon, an advocate for the law, took the opportunity to seek accountability for her alleged assault by filing the lawsuit against L.A. Reid.
Dixon’s previous accusations against Russell Simmons
In 2017, Drew Dixon was one of three women who accused music mogul Russell Simmons of rape. While she worked at his Def Jam label, Dixon experienced the same alleged pattern of abuse. She repeated her accusations against Simmons in the 2020 documentary “On the Record,” but her lawsuit against Reid does not name Simmons as a defendant.
Dixon’s work at Arista Records
During her time at Arista Records, Dixon worked closely with the company’s founder, Clive Davis, and rose to the position of vice president of A&R. She played a significant role in the success of notable songs, such as Whitney Houston’s “My Love Is Your Love” and Carlos Santana’s “Maria Maria.”
Change in relationship with L.A. Reid
According to Dixon’s lawsuit, her relationship with L.A. Reid took a drastic turn when he became the president of Arista Records in 2000. What was once a professional and cordial relationship quickly turned into what the lawsuit describes as Reid “sexualizing and harassing” Dixon.
Alleged assault during a company retreat
In January 2001, Arista Records organized a companywide retreat in Puerto Rico. Drew Dixon attended the retreat alongside L.A. Reid and other executives, but upon arrival, she discovered that she was the only passenger on the private plane with Reid. The lawsuit states that Reid proceeded to assault Dixon without her consent during the flight.
Attempts to evade L.A. Reid’s advances
After the alleged assault, Drew Dixon took measures to avoid being alone with L.A. Reid. Despite this, Reid continued to invite her to meetings in his hotel room and persistently made advances towards her. To navigate this uncomfortable situation, Dixon sought guidance from a life coach, all while trying to maintain her job and preserve her health insurance due to a recent cancer diagnosis.
Retaliation against Dixon
When Drew Dixon successfully evaded Reid’s advances, the lawsuit claims that he retaliated against her by embarrassing her in front of others and being unprofessional in their interactions. Furthermore, Dixon alleges that Reid punished artists she had signed or intended to sign by reducing promotional and recording budgets or rejecting their demos and auditions.
Second assault and continued retaliation
Despite Dixon’s efforts to resist L.A. Reid’s advances, the lawsuit alleges that he assaulted her again in 2001 after a work event. This pattern of resistance from Dixon and subsequent retaliation from Reid continued, leading Dixon to realize that her career would continue to be stifled if she remained at the company.
Dixon’s departure from the company
In 2002, Drew Dixon made the decision to leave Arista Records and pursue further education at Harvard Business School. While Dixon maintained some involvement in the music business, her encounters with L.A. Reid and his enablers left her shaken, ultimately steering her away from a full-fledged return to the industry.
Impact on Dixon’s career and life
The alleged incidents involving L.A. Reid had a profound impact on Drew Dixon’s career and personal life. The lawsuit seeks to address the financial losses, damage to her reputation, and other hardships she experienced as a result of leaving the music industry. Dixon hopes to find some form of closure and hold Reid accountable as the look-back window for civil lawsuits under the Adult Survivors Act comes to a close.
Closing of the look-back window
The Adult Survivors Act, the legislation under which Drew Dixon filed her lawsuit, allows for a one-year window for individuals to file civil lawsuits for abuse they experienced after turning 18. This look-back window is set to close on November 24, highlighting the urgency of Dixon’s legal action.
Conclusion and legal actions
In conclusion, L.A. Reid, a prominent music executive, is facing sexual assault accusations from former employee Drew Dixon. Dixon’s lawsuit, filed under the Adult Survivors Act, outlines a history of alleged assaults and retaliation that significantly impacted her career in the music industry. As the look-back window for civil lawsuits draws to a close, Dixon seeks accountability and hopes to find closure by holding Reid responsible for his actions.
