With Harvey Weinstein’s many allegations against him for sexual harassment and assault, more and more women have come forward to discuss their own situations. Today, The Daily Beast has released a report about former model Natasha Prince’s claims that David Blaine raped her in 2004. Get to know more about the allegations, Blaine’s response and some background on Prince.
1. David Blaine’s Attorney Has Denied the Claims
Marty Singer, Blaine’s attorney, has released the following statement about Prince’s claims:
My client vehemently denies that he raped or sexually assaulted any woman, ever, and he specifically denies raping a woman in 2004. If, in fact, there is any police investigation, my client will fully cooperate because he has nothing to hide.
Singer also told The Daily Beast:
Anyone can make a claim — especially with this Harvey Weinstein thing … The last time my client saw Ms. Prince was approximately five years ago, on the streets of New York, where Ms. Prince approached my client and invited him to see her at the Gagosian Gallery, where she works. This conduct is completely inconsistent with any claim that my client engaged in any wrongful conduct approximately 13 years ago with Ms. Prince.
And as for what Blaine himself has to say, he stated to The Daily Beast:
Wow … there’s absolutely nothing … that’s crazy.
2. Prince Alleges that the Rape Took Place After Meeting Blaine at a Nightclub in 2004
In an interview with The Daily Beast, Prince said that she was raped by Blaine in the summer of 2004, before she turned 21 years old. Prince said that she and Blaine met at the Wellington, which is a nightclub in Knightsbridge. She said that he was at a private table and was nice to her. Prince said that the next day, he texted her, inviting him to a friends’ home for drinks.
3. Drugs Are Implied to Have Been a Part of the Alleged Incident with Blaine
Former model Natasha Prince accuses David Blaine of rape after what sounds like being drugged in 2004 t.co/3LJwLd0mOj
In Prince’s account of the alleged incident, she seems to imply that there may have been something put in her drink. She recalled that Blaine brought her a vodka and soda “in a tall crystal glass.” Prince explained:
I decided to have that one drink that night. It wasn’t strong; it tasted mostly like soda … He spun around quite quickly and said, ‘Kiss me.’ I did kiss him. And then he said, ‘Finish your drink’ and took the glass from me and put it on the table, and that’s really the last thing I remember … At some point, I was on the bed, face-forward, and he was behind me. I think it woke me up a little bit, because I’d never had that [anal sex] done to me before. I remember moving around a lot. I was limp, and I was very floaty; I was in and out of a deep sleep.
Prince then said:
When I woke up, I was very relaxed — very stoned.
4. The Scotland Yard Is Investigating the Claims
After claims against Blaine were made in 2016 by Prince, the Scotland Yard has decided to open an investigation, telling The Daily Beast that:
Officers from the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command are investigating an allegation of rape. The allegation was reported to police on 17 November 2016 by a woman who alleged she was raped at an address in Chelsea in June or July 2004 when she was aged 21. There have been no arrests at this stage and inquiries continue.
The Scotland Yard has requested that Blaine travel to the UK for an “interview under caution.”
5. Prince Said She Quit Modeling Early Due to Feelings of Insecurity After the Alleged Rape
Though Prince was a working model, she told The Daily Beast that she left her career early, after the incident. Prince explained:
I quit modeling very early … After this happened, I didn’t want to go out, and I didn’t want to go to my castings. I wouldn’t get the job because now I was insecure.
Prince later became involved with art dealing. She also became sober and went into therapy.
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Natasha Prince: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know