Axl Rose Settles Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Denies Allegations: ‘There Was No Assault’

Axl Rose, the iconic frontman of hard rock legends Guns N’ Roses, has reached a settlement in a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him in November 2023 by former Penthouse model Sheila Kennedy. The lawsuit, which centered on an alleged incident from 1989, has been settled out of court, with Rose vehemently denying the claims.

The Allegations

Kennedy’s lawsuit accused Rose of forcibly dragging her from one hotel room to another at a New York hotel and then subjecting her to physical and sexual assault. According to the complaint, Rose allegedly tied her hands behind her back and sexually assaulted her without consent, using graphic and disturbing language to describe the event. The lawsuit detailed that Kennedy felt powerless and trapped, believing that refusing Rose would lead to further violence.

Kennedy’s claim stated she was left feeling as though she had no option but to endure the assault, fearing physical harm or worse if she resisted. The accusations also included allegations of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and gender-motivated violence.

Rose’s Response

In response to the allegations, Axl Rose denied any wrongdoing. His legal team quickly moved to dismiss the suit, citing inconsistencies in Kennedy’s account. Notably, Rose’s lawyers pointed to Kennedy’s 2016 memoir, No One’s Pet, in which she described the alleged encounter as consensual. She wrote, “I was okay with this. I had wanted to be with him since the minute I’d first laid eyes on him, and now I was getting him.”

Rose, in his statement, reiterated his innocence, saying, “As I have from the beginning, I deny the allegations. There was no assault.” His lawyer, E. Danya Perry, expressed relief that the case was being discontinued, commenting that Rose had suffered greatly from the prolonged legal battle. “Mr. Rose has suffered greatly from this lawsuit, and I am pleased that he will now be able to move on with his life,” Perry said.

Settlement and Legal Implications

The settlement, which has been reported by Rolling Stone, ends the legal dispute with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be reopened. While the financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed, both parties agreed to cover their own legal costs. This agreement marks the conclusion of the case under the window provided by the 2022 Adult Survivors Act, a law that temporarily allowed victims of sexual assault to file lawsuits despite the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Though the lawsuit has been settled, it remains a complex and emotional issue for those involved, and its conclusion does little to erase the pain and controversy surrounding the case.

Moving Forward

For Axl Rose, the settlement offers a chance to move past the legal battles, but the shadow of these accusations will likely continue to linger in the public eye. Despite the settlement, the broader conversations around consent, assault, and the legal rights of survivors remain an ongoing and critical issue in the entertainment industry and beyond.

As fans, we can only hope that the resolution of this case allows both parties to heal and move forward, while recognizing the importance of a fair and respectful approach to serious allegations such as these.