In a notable turn of events in the realm of celebrity legal battles, a judge has dismissed a jury’s defamation ruling against blogger Milagro Cooper, who was found liable for defamation and other claims in a lawsuit filed by rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
Cooper, known on social media as Milagro Gramz, was previously held responsible for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and promoting an altered sexual depiction of Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete. However, Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga overturned the defamation verdict, citing the plaintiff’s failure to provide the required legal notice to Cooper before initiating the lawsuit. Under Florida law, a plaintiff must serve a media defendant with written notice detailing the alleged defamatory statements at least five days prior to filing a complaint.
In her ruling, Judge Altonaga emphasized that this legal requirement was not fulfilled, leading to the dismissal of the defamation claim, although the court upheld the findings related to emotional distress and the promotion of an altered sexual depiction. Additionally, the damages Cooper was ordered to pay Megan Thee Stallion were reduced from $75,000 to $59,000.
During the trial, Megan Thee Stallion testified that Cooper engaged in a coordinated online campaign designed to harass and defame her, alleging that Cooper acted as a “paid surrogate” for Tory Lanez, who was convicted in connection with a shooting incident involving the rapper in July 2020. The judge noted that while Cooper faced liability for other claims, the defamation charge was not substantiated due to procedural errors by the plaintiff.
Cooper’s attorney expressed relief at the outcome, pointing out that the blogger prevailed on the key defamation accusation, which was central to the case, and that the financial repercussions were significantly lower than the amounts initially sought by Megan Thee Stallion.
Megan Thee Stallion’s legal team stated that they would seek to recover legal costs incurred during the trial; however, any requests for fees will be deferred until all post-trial motions or appeals are resolved.
In her testimony, Megan highlighted how Cooper’s actions contributed to a hostile environment on social media, where she felt attacked and misrepresented. The jury reviewed various social media posts by Cooper that allegedly undermined Megan’s credibility regarding the shooting incident.
While Tory Lanez, who was not a defendant in this particular lawsuit, was involved in the earlier criminal trial, he has faced significant legal repercussions following his conviction. His appeals have so far been unsuccessful, further complicating the dynamics of this ongoing saga.
As this case continues to evolve, it serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate relationship between celebrity culture and social media, and the legal implications that can arise from it.
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