Judge dismisses libel suit against Phoebe Bridgers

A lawsuit against Phoebe Bridgers has been dismissed.

In September 2021, the singer was sued for defamation by Chris Nelson, a Los Angeles-based record producer and owner of the Sound Space studio. Nelson had claimed that Bridgers had used his popular Instagram account to share false and malicious statements about him to his millions of followers « in order to destroy his reputation », adding that it caused him emotional distress.

In February 2022, Bridgers responded to Nelson’s lawsuit stating that she believed « the statements I made in my Instagram Story are true. »

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Now a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has dismissed the lawsuit, Fork confirmed. Judge Curtis A. Kin granted the « Moon Song » singer’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) motion, which restrains others from using lawsuits as an intimidation tactic against those who use their right to privacy. freedom of expression.

“We feel vindicated that the Court found this lawsuit to be frivolous and without merit,” a spokesperson for Bridgers wrote via a statement provided to Fork. “It was not based on law or fact, but was filed for the sole purpose of damaging our client’s reputation and career. This victory is important not only for our client but for all those she sought to protect using her platform.

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Bridgers’ initial statements, which prompted Nelson to file a lawsuit, accused the music producer of « grooming, theft, [and] violence,” and also directed his followers to posts from Nelson’s ex-girlfriend, Emily Bannon.

In Nelson’s lawsuit in September, in which he sought $3.8 million in damages, he said Bridgers « intentionally used his high-profile public platform on Instagram to post false and defamatory statements about [Nelson] to destroy his reputation.