Keke Palmer recently took to social media to accuse Trey Songz of sexual intimidation, after it was brought to her attention that she made an appearance in his music video for “Pick Up The Phone” without her knowledge. The Scream Queens actress expressed to fans how disgusted and outraged she was that Songz and his team blatantly ignored her request to be removed from the final video. Her testimony also sought to raise awareness on the treatment of women in the industry.
“This was not approved. You can not use someone’s “likeness” without their approval. Casing point of female disrespect in the industry,” Keke tweeted on Jan. 21. The singer continued her rant on Twitter, stating that she said repeatedly that she did not want to be in the video, but felt “pressured.” “I literally said no. I can’t believe they still put me in it. I said no,” she added.
This was not approved. You can not use someone's "likeness" without their approval. Casing point of female disrespect in the industry. https://t.co/mhwazDvcat
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) January 22, 2017
I literally said no. I can't believe they still put me in it. I said no! https://t.co/J8zuXimE4c
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) January 22, 2017
Keke also took to Instagram, where she released a series of videos and a drawn out statement, elaborating on the situation. “This is preposterous. How am I in this video, Trey,” she wrote on Instagram. Attached to her statement was a screen grab of the music video that was originally posted on The Shade Room. She then proceeded to tell the story, in which she allegedly felt so uncomfortable, that she hid in a closet in order to avoid conflict with Trey and his music team. “You found me in a closet HIDING because I was so afraid of anymore conflict. Literally my last option was to hide because you all would not listen when I said I did not want to be in the video the FIRST time,” she explained. “Just cause you give someone food and alcohol and throw in a little sexual intimidation doesn’t mean they will buckle.”
She also claimed that he “disrespected me as a young women, whom you’ve known since she was TWELVE.” “YOU STILL, defied my wishes and in turn showed your lack of respect for a brand that took me fourteen years to build and put me in the video against my wishes,” she continued.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPjBn4cjOSF/
Keke wrapped up her message by pointing out the type of disrespect and “misogyny” women reportedly face within the entertainment industry. “This is what I’m referring to in my previous post, this is the sexism and misogyny I refer to because if I was a dude, he wouldn’t have even tried me like this,” she said. “Let this be a lesson to all, I’m not for the bullshit. I’m serious about my business and you will not use my likeness without MY permission… NO MEANS NO!!!!!!!”
But the “Foreign” singer did not let her get the last word. Soon after Keke’s comments circulated the web, he took to Twitter to blast her for her approach. “Babygirl buggin’. Point blank period. Got my number, coulda called, saw the cameras and the lights, heard action,” he tweeted.
Babygirl buggin. Point blank period. Got my number, coulda called, saw the cameras and the lights, heard action.
— Trey Songz (@TreySongz) January 22, 2017
He later released a longer statement on Instagram, attached to a pic of himself smiling. “So sorry for those that believe everything without knowing anything. However, I cannot devote my life to responding to, or clearing up every side of every story you hear about me, when would I actually live,” he said in response to the drama. “I know my character, I know my truth, I know my heart. God does too. Words to anyone who’s being tested right now…I feel you, it’ll pass, I’ve been in a million storms…they all pass. Don’t let the noisy thoughts of others drown your inner voice, or inner peace for that matter.” It’s unclear if the two have since resolved the issue, but check out their posts on social media here.