Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose has been accused of sexual assault and battery in a new lawsuit that was filed today (Nov. 22) in New York.
Former Penthouse model Sheila Kennedy alleges that Rose violently assaulted her in his hotel room after they met at a club in New York City. Rose allegedly invited Kennedy back to his room to party with former MTV Headbanger’s Ball host Riki Rachtman. From there, Rose allegedly urged her to partake in group sex, and when Kennedy tried to leave the room, she claims Rose became “furious.” He grabbed her by the robe, knocking her to the floor and allegedly “caused her knees to bleed from scraping on the rug.”
After that, the singer allegedly threw her on a bed, tied her hands behind her back with pantyhose, and sexually assaulted her. “He treated her like property used solely for his sexual pleasure,” the lawsuit says.
Following the alleged incident, Kennedy claims to have suffered from “lifelong emotional, physical, psychological, and financial impacts.” In 2016, Kennedy first revealed the allegations in her autobiography, No One’s Pet. In 2021, she discussed the alleged incident in Look Away, a documentary about sexual misconduct in the music business.
Kennedy is seeking unspecified damages.
In a statement provided to SPIN, Rose’s attorney, Alan S. Gutman, denied Kennedy’s allegations.
“Simply put, this incident never happened. Notably, these fictional claims were filed the day before the New York State filing deadline expires,” Gutman said. “Though he doesn’t deny the possibility of a fan photo taken in passing, Mr. Rose has no recollection of ever meeting or speaking to the Plaintiff, and has never heard about these fictional allegations prior to today. Mr. Rose is confident this case will be resolved in his favor.”
