American TV host Tyra Banks has been sued by a contestant on "America's Got Talent" for humiliating her daughter at a recent taping of the show.
The contestant, Jane Doe, performed a song with her husband at the taping on March 19. The song is about her bond with her daughter named Mary, who too was present at the taping.
Doe has accused Banks of humiliating the family. They felt humiliated by the judges and the audience who criticised the song. The case was filed on Tuesday, reports variety.com.
According to the lawsuit, Banks pulled Mary's hair back, physically manipulated her, and insinuated that the girl was accidentally conceived.
Afterward, Mary was traumatised and became deeply depressed.
"Mary would become extremely nervous and anxious whenever, among other triggering events, she hears any mentions of the song and the song itself, whenever she ruminates about the events during or related to the performance, and whenever she thinks about the prospective televised airing or use online of Jane and her husband, their performance, as well as the airing and use online of any footages of Mary," read the suit.
Reality show contestants are made to sign waivers acknowledging that they may be subjected to ridicule and humiliation.
However, the suit alleges that Marathon Productions got Mary to sign a contract without her parents' knowledge or consent.
After the contestant complained, the company communicated that it would not feature Mary in the broadcast. However, the couple asked that the entire performance not be aired. That request was refused.
The suit, filed at Superior Court here, accuses Banks of battery and assault and seeks damages for infliction of emotional distress.