One of the biggest pop stars in the world is getting set to hit court, all that remains is finding a jury. But before that happens, raise your hand if you didn't even know there was a Taylor Swift court case.
For all you people out there who were unaware, here's what's happening in Mueller v. Swift.
The Incident
In 2013, Taylor Swift was on her Red tour. She had a show in Denver, Colorado where she did a meet-and-greet with radio host David Mueller and his girlfriend. According to Swift and her team, Mueller reached under the singer's dress and grabbed her bottom.
"He took his hand and put it up my dress and grabbed onto my ass cheek, and no matter how much I scooted over, it was still there," Swift says in court documents.
Mueller's Lawsuit
After Swift went public with her accusations, David Mueller sued the singer, saying she cost him not only his job, but his reputation. He claims Swift's team put pressure on his employer after sending them the pictures they claimed showed the alleged groping.
"The contention that Mr Mueller lifted up Ms Swift's skirt and grabbed her bottom, while standing with his girlfriend, in front of Ms Swift's photographer and Ms Swift's highly trained security personnel, during a company-sponsored, VIP, backstage meet-and-greet, is nonsense," wrote his lawyer in court documents.
"The radio station was given evidence immediately after the incident," Swift's spokesperson later confirmed to People magazine. "They made their independent decision."
Continue reading to see how Swift's team reacted to this, and what the pop star is seeking from Mueller.
Swift's Legal Action
After Mueller's lawsuit alleging defamation, Swift responded by counter-suing Mueller for assault and battery. In a deposition in 2016, Swift revealed she felt "violated in a way I had never experienced before."
What Mueller Is Suing For
David Mueller is suing Taylor Swift in the hopes of getting $3 million in damages as well as a cleared name.
"The contention that Mr. Mueller lifted up Ms. Swift's skirt and grabbed her bottom, while standing with his girlfriend, in front of Ms. Swift's photographer and Ms. Swift's highly trained security personnel, during a company sponsored VIP, backstage meet-and-greet, is nonsense, particularly given that Ms. Swift's skirt is in place and is not being lifted by Mr. Mueller's hand in the photograph," Mueller's complaint reads.
What Swift Is Suing For
$1. Yep. That's it. She is suing for a single dollar. According to court documents, Swift is not concerned about the money, but hopes the case serves "as an example to other women who may resist publicly reliving similar outrageous and humiliating acts."
"Pursuing legal action is not only protecting her own honor and dignity, but [that of] every voiceless woman who might not have been able to fight against similar inappropriate actions," said public relations and brand strategist Marvet Britto. "Taylor is aware that her defiance in fighting against these allegations "” not only made toward her but other artists and colleagues "” will achieve global visibility around sexual assault issues that, in many cases, go unreported and ignored and are marginalized."
When Is The Trial?
Court proceedings have already begun, with jurors being selected for the trial. Potential jurors must fill out a 15-page questionnaire which asks questions surrounding if they've ever been inappropriately touched, falsely accused, or consider themselves Taylor Swift fans. One juror was dismissed for claiming on her application that she found Swift to be "petty and dishonest." No jurors have been selected thus far.
Swift herself was in court with her lawyers during jury selection. The trial will be open to the public who can watch the proceedings live.
Do you think Taylor Swift will win this case? Or is she wrongfully accusing David Mueller? Let us know your take!
