Kevin Hart has taken legal action against YouTuber Tasha K who he claims is holding him to "ransom" after threatening to drop a "damaging" interview.
Hart is taking action against LaTasha Kebe - known as Tasha K - alleging extortion and invasion of privacy. Hart claims that Kebe threatened to release a potentially damaging interview with his former assistant, Miesha Shakes, unless he paid a six-figure "ransom," per Page Six.
According to documents obtained by the outlet, the lawsuit asserts that Kebe conducted an interview with Shakes in November 2023, during which Shakes made "false and defamatory statements" about Hart.
Subsequently, an alleged affiliate of Kebe contacted Hart's team, demanding $250,000 to prevent the release of the interview, citing potential damage to Hart's reputation regarding his marriage and business dealings.
A teaser for the interview was then posted by Kebe, emphasizing its "salacious and damaging nature" as a threat to Hart for not complying with the ransom demand. The teaser allegedly included a statement from Kebe warning: "When you don't pay, we have to get money by any means necessary."
Hart's team promptly contacted the police and issued a cease and desist letter to Kebe, pointing out that Shakes had previously signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement and a Confidentiality Agreement while working for Hart from 2017 to 2020.
Despite these actions, Kebe reportedly proceeded to release the full interview on her subscription-based website on December 22.
In the interview, Shakes discussed various legal disputes involving Hart and made allegations of gambling addiction and habitual cheating against the actor.
As a response, the comedian is now pursuing legal action against both Kebe and Shakes for extortion and invasion of privacy. Additionally, he is suing Shakes for breach of contract and defamation, while seeking intentional interference with contractual relations against Kebe.
In what appears to be a response to the legal filing, Kebe reposted the interview with Shakes on her Instagram Story.
This isn't the first time Tasha K has faced legal troubles, as noted in Hart's lawsuit. The document highlighted her history of "defamatory and otherwise improper content" regarding celebrities, including a previous defamation lawsuit by musician Cardi B.
In that case, Kebe was found liable for damages exceeding $3 million after making false claims about Cardi B, who described Kebe as an "evil person" during the trial.
Despite Kebe filing for bankruptcy after the Cardi B case, a judge ruled that her financial situation couldn't be used to avoid paying the damages awarded to the rapper.
"Kebe has an established history of posting defamatory and otherwise improper content regarding celebrities," states Hart’s lawsuit.