A Michigan rapper is taking legal action against Lyft, claiming that a driver refused to pick her up due to concerns about her size, alleging that he thought she might be too heavy for his car to handle. Dajua Blanding, 36, who performs under the name Dank Demoss, recorded the interaction on video earlier this month, which shows her arguing with the driver. In the footage, Blanding insists she can fit into his vehicle, while the driver disagrees.
“I can fit in this car,” Blanding says in the video, to which the driver responds, “Believe me, you can’t.”
The driver eventually cancels the ride, assuring Blanding that she wouldn’t be charged. However, she has filed a lawsuit against Lyft, claiming the incident left her feeling humiliated and discriminated against.
“I’ve been in cars smaller than that,” Blanding shared in an interview. “I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings.”
After posting the video to Instagram, reactions from viewers poured in, with many siding with the driver. Some suggested she should have opted for a larger vehicle, like a Lyft XL, designed for more space.
“It’s against the law to overload a car,” one commenter pointed out. “The driver was polite, explained his reasoning, and even apologized… try seeing things from another perspective.”
Despite the backlash, Blanding stood firm. In the caption of her viral post, she accused Lyft of mistreating plus-sized riders, writing, “AM I WRONG? Lyft, what do you have to say about this driver who discriminated against me? I feel like you all treat big people like s***.”
In her lawsuit, Blanding claims that the driver arrived in a Mercedes-Benz sedan, locked the doors, and attempted to leave when he saw her. When confronted, she says the driver told her she was too large for the backseat and even suggested her weight could damage his tires.
Her attorneys argue that the driver’s refusal to provide service violated Michigan law, which protects weight as a characteristic. They also emphasize that denying transportation based on weight is both illegal and dangerous, especially if it leaves someone stranded.
Lyft responded to the controversy with a statement condemning all forms of discrimination, affirming their belief in equal respect and mutual kindness within their community. As the lawsuit moves forward, the case raises important questions about passenger rights, driver discretion, and the line between personal safety concerns and discrimination in the gig economy.