Megan Thee Stallion, also known as Megan Pete, emerged victorious in her defamation case against blogger Milagro Gramz, aka Milagro Elizabeth Cooper. On Monday, December 1, a Florida jury sided with the 30-year-old rapper after she filed a lawsuit against Cooper in October 2024 for allegedly spreading lies as a "paid surrogate" for Tory Lanez and impersonating him online.
The jury initially awarded Megan $75,000, but U.S. District Court Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga reduced the amount to $59,000, considering Cooper as a media defendant. A source close to the matter reveals that Cooper might also be responsible for covering Megan's legal fees in this case. As Megan exited the courthouse, she expressed her joy, saying, "I'm just happy."
Cooper's attorney, Nathacha Bien-Aime, expressed respect for the jury's decision but also raised concerns about the future of free speech online in a statement: "While we respect the jury’s decision, today’s verdict raises serious concerns about the future of open dialogue online. This case highlights the increasing vulnerability of independent commentators, bloggers, and digital creators who discuss public figures and matters of public interest. The First Amendment was designed to protect criticism, commentary, and opinion even when it is sharp, uncomfortable, or controversial. When verdicts like this occur, they can create a chilling effect. Everyday people may become afraid to speak, post, or participate in public conversations out of fear that they will face litigation for their words."
Megan previously testified in court in Miami on November 21, sharing how Cooper's actions had deeply affected her mental health and music career. The rapper became so depressed that she felt like life was not worth living due to this case. Megan sued Cooper in October 2024 for alleged harassment and "churning out falsehoods" related to her 2020 shooting case against Tory Lanez online.
In the lawsuit, Megan alleged that Cooper "acts as a paid surrogate" for Lanez and spread lies on his behalf. She claimed that Cooper shared a "deepfake pornographic video" of her with X and falsely claimed that the firearm used by Lanez (real name Daystar Peterson) to shoot her was missing. Megan's lawyers pointed out that the Los Angeles Police Department had the firearms. Furthermore, the lawsuit highlighted Cooper's continuous doubt over whether or not Peterson actually shot Megan, despite his being convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison for the violent crime.
Lanez was convicted of assaulting Megan with a semi-automatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence in December 2022. The shooting occurred after a dispute between the two rappers and Megan's former assistant and ex-friend, Kelsey Harris, in Los Angeles in July 2020.
