T.I., Tiny Harris & Soulja Boy Called Out By #MeToo Movement In Letter To Black Survivors + ‘T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle’ Production Suspended

T.I., Tiny Harris, Soulja Boy

T.I., Tiny Harris & Soulja Boy Called Out By #MeToo Movement In Letter To Black Survivors + ‘T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle’ Production Suspended

Production for T.I. and Tiny Harris’s VH1 reality show “T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle” has been put on pause amid allegations against the couple.

A spokesperson for MTV Entertainment told Deadline: 

“We are aware of the allegations, and while they are not connected to our show, we have reached out to T.I. and Tameka Harris, as well as local and state officials. Given the serious nature of the allegations, we have decided to suspend production in order to gather more information.”

The season 4 premiere is also reportedly on hold. It was initially scheduled for this spring.

The #MeToo movement has also called out T.I., Tiny Harris, and Soulja Boy as they face sexual assault claims.

The organization released a statement titled Open Letter in Defense of Black Survivors, condemning the alleged actions earlier this week.

The letter begins by referencing recent allegations against the celebrities, noting B2K singer Raz B’s claims the group’s former manager, Chris Stokes, molested him when he was a teenager.

Raz B, Chris Stokes

“Dear Survivor,

Over the last week, we know countless of you have come forward with credible accusations of horrific sexual abuse and violence at the hands of Black celebrities – including Soulja Boy and T.I. and Tiny. R&B singer Raz B has spoken out once again about his experience of sexual abuse – yet no media outlets, corporate actors, or systems of justice have centered survivors’ stories or promised accountability.” 

It compared the accusations to R. Kelly and Bill Cosby, who are both in jail for sex crimes.

R. Kelly

Bill Cosby

“Like you, we are carrying the emotional weight of this news and know that we are reliving a collective trauma akin to the exposing of Cosby and R. Kelly.”

It added that it will stand with the women despite their accusations against celebrities and people of power.

“Today, we write to hold space for what this moment is bringing up for Black survivors.

Over the next few days, we know your stories and the experiences of Black survivors may be dismissed. We know people will try to discredit and scrutinize you. We know people will evaluate your stories by a set of questions that shift responsibility from the accuser to the accused: “What were they wearing? What do they do for a living? What is the social status of the abuser?” And we know that when the alleged abusers are not only famous, but held up as pillars in the Black community, the tendency will be to sweep these allegations under the rug.”

It then called on the media and the black community to stand with the alleged victims.

“We are calling on and for:

• The media: Make Black survivors’ experiences visible and reframe the narrative to center justice for survivors. Treat Black survivor stories with journalistic integrity. Conduct thorough investigations and examinations of claims made by the survivors.

• Our community: Show your support for the survivors in your life by redirecting harmful narratives that shame or blame survivors for coming forward. Let’s hold each other accountable by calling out the behaviors that keep all of us from feeling safe and healing.

• To survivors: Know that your stories are valuable, your voice is needed, and we are here to support you.”

As previously reported, T.I. and Tiny Harris have been accused of drugging, kidnapping, and sexually assaulting several women through the years. The claims came after Tiny Harris’s former friend alleged T.I. pulled a gun on her. See the allegations here.

Soulja Boy

A woman, identified as Jane Doe, also recently took legal action against Soulja Boy with allegations that he sexually assaulted her several times. She claimed that he held her hostage and didn’t pay her for the majority of the 18 months she worked for him.

She’s suing for sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, infliction of emotional distress, and damages for the alleged unpaid wages. See her claims here.

T.I., Tiny, and Soulja Boy have all denied the claims against them.

What are your thoughts on #MeToo’s open statement? Comment and let us know.