ATLANTA (CN) - A music producer claims in court that a reality TV star defamed him on "Love and Hip Hop Atlanta," by claiming he beat her up. Mickey Wright Jr. demands $65 million in damages from Kimberly Michelle Pate, Viacom International, Monami Entertainment and NFGTV, in Fulton County Superior Court. Wright claims that Pate, pka K. Michelle, defamed him while starring in 12 episodes of the show produced and distributed by Viacom and its co-defendants. He claims the defamatory statements suggested he is a criminal and "unqualified to work as an executive in the music industry." Wright, who calls himself MeMpHitz, claims: "The false and defamatory statements were published to enhance the popularity and ratings of LHHA ["Love and Hip Hop Atlanta"] and have operated to assassinate Mr. Wright's character, impair his future career as a music executive and entertainer, and cause acute anguish to him and his family. "While Mr. Wright recognizes the popularity of reality television shows, defendants Viacom International Inc., Monami Entertainment LLC, and NFGTV Inc. are not granted an unfettered right or privilege under the First Amendment to defame individuals, even if they are considered public figures, by purposefully publishing malicious false statements and unfounded accusations." Wright, the CEO of talent agency Do Work Enterprises and founder of Memphis-based production company Hitz Committee Entertainment, claims he had a brief romantic relationship with K. Michelle in 2009, after she signed a record deal with help from his production company. He claims she defamed him on the show by making false statements about him and their relationship. According to the complaint: "On June 18, 2012, during the broadcast of the premiere episode of LHHA, defendants Viacom International Inc., Monami Entertainment LLC, and NFGTV Inc. aired the following statements by K. Michelle: "'Recently got out of a nasty relationship that affected my music career but now I'm on my way back up and I'm using my music to tell my story. I was signed to Jive Records to a guy who was from my home town, and he was gorgeous I mean he had huge arms, tattoos, and he gave me my dream that I always wanted and that was a record deal. About six months later we started to date and um it wasn't a bad relationship until one day he flipped and he beat my ass. All I can remember is just screaming and saying it's me like it's me I love you it's me K, it's me. He wasn't there. People behind the scenes from the record label to everywhere they knew the truth. When business is involved no one cares if you get hurt everybody wants you to sing, shut up and make the money. He bought chains, rings, everything out of my recording budget. It was over 2 million dollars. With nothing to show for it. No album, no music, no anything. So you got your fans like where is the music, oh she's a flop, what's going on, don't nobody know. So I'm caught in the middle right now you know working with new people. I still have to fight down this stereotype that K. Michelle is outright crazy. My last couple of years on that label I was crazy as shit. I got beat up. Nobody's gonna help me? Nobody helped me. I eventually got out and I'm here where I am now and I'm grateful to still be in the business. I'm back, you know new place, just wanna fresh start from the situation you know.' "K. Michelle knowingly and maliciously made false statements with the intent to cause harm to Mr. Wright and increase ratings for LHHA during said episode." Wright claims K. Michelle defamed him on the 11 subsequent episodes of the show as well. He claims Viacom, Monami and NFGTV intentionally aired the false statements to create controversy and increase ratings, never verified K. Michelle's statements, and failed to retract them after Wright sent them notice that the statements were false. He claims the statements harmed his reputation and business and caused him emotional distress. He seeks more than $65 million in compensatory and punitive damages for defamation and negligence. He is represented by Alcide Honore with Hooper & Honore.
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