Rapper 50 Cent has voluntarily dismissed his defamation lawsuit against former girlfriend Daphne Joy, months after she publicly accused him of rape and physical abuse in a now-deleted Instagram post.
Court documents obtained by PEOPLE magazine show that the suit, filed by 50 Cent (born Curtis Jackson) in May, was dismissed without prejudice on Monday, September 9, in Harris County District Court, Texas. This dismissal allows for the possibility of refiling the case in the future.
The lawsuit stemmed from a March Instagram post by Joy (born Daphne Narvaez), in which she alleged that Jackson had only seen their 12-year-old son, Sire, ten times in two years after they moved to New York to be closer to the rapper. In the same post, Narvaez wrote, “I am tired of upholding and protecting an image to our son that you have never even earned. Let’s put the real focus on your true evil actions of raping me and physically abusing me.”
Jackson, 49, claimed in his lawsuit that these “false accusations” had subjected him to “extensive public ridicule, hatred and contempt.” The “In da Club” rapper also alleged that Narvaez’s post was a “purposeful attempt” to damage his reputation and interfere with his relationship with their son.
At the time of filing, Jackson’s attorney told PEOPLE, “Despite being given ample opportunity to retract a false and malicious retaliatory accusation, Ms. Narvaez has shamefully chosen to interfere with her [12]-year-old son’s relationship with his loving father by falsely calling him a ‘rapist.'”
The legal documents also suggested that Narvaez shared her post on the same day reports emerged of Jackson seeking custody of their son. This custody filing followed a March lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs that labeled Narvaez a “sex worker,” claims she later refuted as “100% false and character assassination” in another Instagram post.
Jackson’s lawsuit alleged that Narvaez “retaliated” against his custody filing by posting “multiple defamatory statements” to Instagram. The suit claimed these posts “falsely and publicly accuse Jackson of rape and physical abuse during their prior relationship, in a purposeful attempt to… destroy his personal and business reputation, harm Jackson’s commercial and business interests, negatively affect his custody case, and prevent him from seeing his minor son.”
The hip-hop star had been seeking more than $1 million in monetary damages. The dismissal papers indicate that both parties will be responsible for their own attorney fees.
This legal dispute highlights the complex interplay between celebrity relationships, social media, and the legal system. The case’s dismissal without prejudice leaves open the possibility of future legal action, should either party choose to pursue it.
As of the dismissal date, representatives for 50 Cent had not responded to requests for comment on the case’s resolution. The impact of this legal dispute on the ongoing custody arrangements for their son remains unclear.
People.com
