Plus-Size Rapper Wins Settlement Against Lyft After Weight Discrimination Incident

Detroit rapper Dank Demoss has successfully reached a settlement in her discrimination lawsuit against Lyft, as reported by Fox News. The artist, legally named Dajua Blanding, filed the suit after experiencing weight-based discrimination when a driver refused her service, claiming she wouldn't fit in his vehicle.

Court documentation indicates the legal dispute was formally resolved earlier this summer. While Blanding's legal representative, Zach Runyan, confirmed the settlement had been reached, he was unable to provide specific details due to confidentiality requirements surrounding the agreement.

The discriminatory incident occurred in January when Blanding requested Lyft transportation to attend a Detroit Lions watch event. Upon the driver's arrival, he refused to complete the scheduled ride, telling her, "Believe me, you can't [fit in the car]," despite Blanding's assurances that she could indeed fit comfortably.

In video footage Blanding recorded during the encounter, the driver can be heard claiming his vehicle's tires couldn't support her weight. He apologized for the situation, suggested she order an Uber XL as an alternative, and offered to arrange a refund for the canceled ride.

"I've been in cars smaller than that," Blanding previously shared with FOX 2. "I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings."

Jonathan Marko, another attorney representing Blanding, explained to FOX 2 following the initial lawsuit filing that denying service based on someone's body size constitutes discrimination equal to refusing service based on race or religion.

"I knew that it was illegal, and I knew that it was wrong," Marko stated in January.

This case has highlighted significant concerns regarding body-based discrimination and raised questions about rideshare companies' responsibilities to ensure all customers receive respectful and equitable treatment regardless of physical appearance.