The Sexyy Red lawsuit is back in the spotlight after the woman who filed it, Nicole Barnes, asked a court to grant a $5 million default judgment against the rapper. According to reporting, Barnes says the rapper never formally responded to the civil complaint, which was filed against her in March 2025. The filing seeks a $5 million default judgment, a figure a judge has not approved.
The rapper, whose legal name is Janae Wherry, has not been charged with any crime in connection with the matter. Her attorney has publicly rejected the accusations, and the case remains a civil dispute rather than a criminal one.
What the complaint alleges
According to reporting, Barnes accused Sexyy Red of encouraging her followers to confront and physically harm her. Barnes claims the rapper shared an image of her home and address on a Facebook page that has roughly 45,000 followers.
Barnes says that as a result of the post, she and her family relocated from their home in Hazelwood, a suburb within the greater St. Louis area. In court documents, she describes living in what she called constant fear for her family's safety.
Why a default judgment is being requested
Barnes contends that the rapper failed to answer the complaint after being served, and her side says notice was eventually provided through publication in a newspaper following claims that the documents were dodged. A default judgment is what a plaintiff can request when a defendant does not respond within the required window.
Because the request is a motion, it is not a ruling. A judge still has to decide whether to grant the $5 million figure Barnes is seeking or to deny the request and allow the case to continue on the merits.
How Sexyy Red is responding
The rapper's attorney, Jason Lampert, disputed the accusations in a statement. He framed the case as one his client intends to fight in court rather than settle quietly.
"The claims asserted in this case are baseless and completely without merit. Red categorically denies these allegations and looks forward to defending herself in court," Lampert said.
The statement signals that the rapper's team plans to contest both the underlying claims and the default judgment request itself. Attorneys often move to set aside a default when they argue service was improper or that there is a valid defense.
What happens next
The next step rests with the court, which must rule on whether to grant the default judgment or let the case proceed. If the motion is denied, the dispute would likely move toward the standard civil process, where both sides present evidence. Readers should treat every claim in the complaint as an allegation until a judge or jury resolves it.
