'The Voice's Jordan Pruitt Sues Disney & Ex Manager Over Underage Sex Abuse Claims
Sep. 5 2019, Updated 12:14 a.m. ET
WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT BELOW
The Voice contestant Jordan Pruitt is suing Walt Disney Co, Hollywood Records, and her former manager over claims of underage sexual abuse.
“3 weeks ago as ‘Jane Doe’ I filed a lawsuit against my molester and those who enabled him. No more Jane Doe. I am Jordan Pruitt,” she tweeted this Tuesday, September 3.
In her suit, which was filed on August 14, the singer claimed her ex manager, Keith Thomas, sexually abused her for two years, starting when she was just 14 years old, brainwashed her, and took her virginity.
“I am standing up and speaking out not only for myself, but for the countless victims across the world who have never been given the opportunity for justice,” Pruitt said in her complaint. “It is extremely taboo for anyone to speak about sexual abuse, misconduct and exploitation of minors in the ordinarily conservative and genteel South. Over and above decorum, many fear the repercussions of coming forward for example (getting blacklisted from the industry, losing work, having YOUR reputation tarnished). To many victims, coming forward feels shameful. Even though the #metoo movement has been very powerful for many, there is still much work that needs to be done. No one should ever be punished for telling the truth and seeking justice, period.”
Pruitt said that between 2005 and 2008 — during which she was signed to Hollywood Records — Thomas groomed her for abuse, and even got close to her mother, in order to gain her confidence. He controlled every aspect of her professional life and made her cut off contact with boys her age. Often, he would squash her confidence with negative comments, only to shower her with compliments later on.
Thomas told Pruitt he loved her and their “special” relationship. He convinced her “their love was a secret.”
Pruitt alleged in her lawsuit that the sexual abuse began when she was 14 and continued until a week before her 16th birthday, according to Variety. She claimed it involved kissing, oral sex, and penetration. She said her former manager took her virginity and made her believe it was out of love. One time, she claimed, Thomas drugged and anally penetrated her.
Pruitt said Thomas abused her at the Staples Center, on soundstages at the Warner Bros. lot, in artists’ trailers, hotel rooms, and in parked cars.
She explained that she is suing her former record label, Hollywood Records, and its parent company, the Walt Disney Co., for failing to prevent the brutal abuse.
“Unfortunately, these large companies are primarily concerned with sales, money and charts,” Pruitt said in a statement to Variety. “Too often they fall short of protecting the young talent that they are ‘supposed’ to be caretakers for. Time and time again we see people in positions of power fail us. I couldn’t be more disappointed in how Disney treats their underage talent like cash cows.”
She revealed that she hadn’t realized she was a victim of molestation as a child until last December, at which point she decided to finally take action.
As RadarOnline.com has learned, Thomas has worked with a series of other child stars including Mandy Moore, Jessica Simpson, Vanessa Williams, and Charlotte Church. The veteran Nashville producer and talent manager has focused his attention on teenage female singers since the early 2000s. In 2013, he even starred on Chasing Nashville, a Lifetime reality show that followed four girls in their search for country music stardom.
Thomas, Disney, and Hollywood Records have not commented on the complaint.