Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose denies sexual assault allegations
After recent allegations of sexual assault, Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose has come forward to deny any inappropriate activity.
According to a new lawsuit, former Penthouse model Sheila Kennedy alleged that Rose assaulted her in a New York hotel club when she was 26 years old. The alleged assault was said to have taken place in 1989, as Rose and the band were going through the touring cycle for their debut album, Appetite for Destruction.
In a statement issued to Far Out by Rose’s lawyer, Alan S. Gutman, the frontman claims that the incident is entirely fictional, stating: “Simply put, this incident never happened. Notably, these fictional claims were filed the day before the New York State filing deadline expires”.
Outside of the claims of forceful behaviour and pressure to engage in group sex, Kennedy also alleges that the heavy metal frontman pushed her to the floor, dragged her to his room, and tied her to the hotel bed with pantyhose. Discounting a fan photo that could have taken place in passing, Rose’s lawyer Gutman asserts that no assault could have taken place.
As the statement continues, Gutman claimed that Rose did not know Kennedy, explaining: “Though he doesn’t deny the possibility of a fan photo taken in passing, Mr Rose has no recollection of ever meeting or speaking to the Plaintiff, and has never heard about these fictional allegations prior to today”.
This follows many different instances in which Kennedy has spoken about her mistreatment at the hands of Rose. Before the official lawsuit, Kennedy was candid about her experience with the singer when working on the 2021 documentary Look Away, which looks to uncover the various sex crimes committed by some of the biggest names in the industry.
Despite Kennedy’s case, Gutman claims that “Mr. Rose is confident this case will be resolved in his favour”.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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