New Development In Drew Dixon’s Longstanding Legal Battle With L.A. Reid

Music executives Drew Dixon and L.A. Reid have been embroiled in a bitter legal battle since 2023. Their high-profile dispute includes claims that Dixon suffered abuse at the hands of her former boss, with allegations ranging from sexual assault to false imprisonment.

Now, it looks like their years-long case has finally come to an end. Luckily for Dixon, it seems as if she’s come out with the winning hand. Let’s get into it.

As we previously told you, in November 2023, Dixon filed a sexual assault and harassment suit against her former boss and Arista Records founder Antonio “L.A.” Reid. The suit was made possible thanks to the New York Adult Survivors Act, which allowed for a one-year window for abuse and assault survivors to sue, regardless of the statute of limitations. Dixon also claimed allegations of sexual battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and more.

In her suit, she alleged that Reid “digitally assaulted her” in 2001 while on a plane and later in a car that same year. After she attempted to put distance between herself and Reid, he allegedly enacted forms of retaliation by “embarrassing her in front of others or otherwise being curt and unprofessional,” per The Hollywood Reporter.

Additionally, as Dixon further refused to give in to Reid’s alleged advances and requests (including asking that she wear skirts and high heels and meet him in his private hotel room daily), she alleged that her working relationship with Reid took a turn for the worse. She subsequently began experiencing budget cuts for her music projects and mistreatment in front of artists. All of this, in turn, led to Dixon being allegedly and ultimately blackballed from the music industry, which took a toll on her emotional and physical well-being.

Now, just over two years later, it looks like this chapter of Dixon’s nightmare has come to a close. On Monday, Jan. 12, Reid settled the lawsuit against him. Although the exact details of the settlement amount weren’t disclosed, the timing couldn’t be better for him, as the jury selection process for the trial began the same day. Because of that, there will be no standing in front of them or a judge, and Dixon can get back to doing what she always wanted—making music and continuing to be a beacon for other sexual abuse survivors.

Speaking to reporters after the settlement ruling was finalized, Dixon said she was “excited to get back to making music” and described the ordeal as an “arduous process,” per Boston 25 News.

She later added in a statement that she hoped her work with the survivors and advocacy groups would help “to bring us closer to a safer music business for everyone.”

“In a world where good news is often hard to find, I hope for survivors that today is a ray of light peeking through the clouds,” her statement read.

In a separate statement, Dixon’s lawyer, Kenya Davis, added, “Drew has been one of the most courageous and outspoken supporters of survivors of sexual abuse. Her advocacy, including her instrumental role in advancing the Adult Survivors Act, has helped shift the balance of power in the music industry, creating a path to justice for survivors.”

Reid’s legal team also responded to the news of the settlement, explaining that “Mr. Reid has amicably resolved this matter with Ms. Dixon without any admission of liability.”