Renowned comedian and actor Kevin Hart has initiated legal proceedings in response to serious allegations of infidelity made by his former personal assistant, Miesha Shakes, during an online interview with YouTuber Tasha K. The lawsuit, filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, sheds light on a contentious situation that has unfolded in the public eye.
Shakes, who served in Hart’s company from August 2017 to October 2020, made shocking claims during an interview published on Tasha K’s Instagram and YouTube channel, Unwine with Tasha K, on December 22. The accusations include assertions that Hart, 44, engaged in an extramarital affair at his office and had a gambling problem. The preview of the conversation was ominously captioned, “The interview that Kevin Hart will WISH NEVER CAME OUT!!”
Hart’s legal complaint, obtained by PEOPLE, outlines the details of the lawsuit, naming both Shakes and Tasha K as defendants. The lawsuit alleges that Kebe demanded money from Hart, threatening to release the interview unless a substantial sum, reportedly $250,000, was paid. According to the document, an individual affiliated with Tasha K informed Hart’s representative in November about the damaging nature of the interview, leading to the extortion attempt.
Hart’s Response:
In response to the alleged extortion, Hart took swift action, contacting law enforcement and issuing a cease and desist order to Tasha K, citing the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) between Shakes and himself. The lawsuit argues that the publication of the interview would constitute intentional interference with contractual relations.
Beyond the NDA violation, Hart’s complaint asserts that the interview contained false and defamatory statements about Hart, including accusations related to legal disputes and fabricated claims about criminal charges. Hart is suing all parties involved for civil extortion, invasion of privacy (public disclosure of private facts), and specific charges against Shakes for breach of contract and defamation, and Tasha K for intentional interference with contractual relations.
The lawsuit highlights Tasha K’s history of posting defamatory content about celebrities, adding a layer of context to Hart’s legal action. In response to PEOPLE’s request for comment, Tasha K directed to watch the full interview on her website, TashaKLive.com. Shakes was unreachable for comment.
Tasha K has faced criticism in the past for airing controversial allegations about other celebrities, including Will Smith and Duane Martin. The Smiths publicly denied the claims, expressing their intention to take legal action. Cardi B previously won a libel case against Tasha K in 2022, accusing her of making “malicious” claims.
The legal battle initiated by Kevin Hart underscores the challenges celebrities face in navigating public scrutiny and dealing with potentially damaging allegations. As the case unfolds, it will shed light on the boundaries of free speech, the impact of social media on reputations, and the legal consequences of making unverified and defamatory statements.
