Social media influencer and rapper Dank Demoss, born Dajua Blanding, has filed a lawsuit against Lyft, alleging weight-based discrimination after a driver refused to give her a ride earlier this month.
According to Fox 2 Detroit, the incident occurred when Demoss requested a Lyft ride to a Detroit Lions watch party. When the driver arrived, he allegedly told her, “You can’t fit in this car,” Demoss responded, “I can fit in this car.” The driver reportedly insisted, “Believe me, you can’t,” before explaining that his tires could not handle her weight.
The driver then suggested that Demoss order an Uber XL to accommodate her size and assured her that he would refund the ride to avoid any charges.
Following the incident, Demoss retained attorneys Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan to file a lawsuit against Lyft. Marko condemned the driver’s actions, stating, “I knew that it was illegal, and I knew that it was wrong.” He further emphasized that weight is a protected characteristic in Michigan, making it unlawful to deny someone service based on size.
https://www.instagram.com/dankdemoss/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=a2658193-729f-4bbe-87bf-3bbc8f2839b8
“Denying a person a ride because of their weight is the same as denying someone because of their race or religion,” Marko added.
A Lyft spokesperson responded to the lawsuit, stating:
“Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination—we believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness. Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.”
The lawsuit has sparked mixed reactions online. Supporters argue that Demoss was unfairly discriminated against, while many critics question whether the driver’s refusal was due to legitimate safety concerns rather than bias.
As the case develops, legal experts will examine closely how Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws are applied in this context.
