The cake-king is getting sued!
While Steve Aoki‘s stage antics have become a part of his identity, they’ve also served as one of the biggest criticisms of his shows. Despite the backlash against these antics of his performances, Aoki has continued with crowd-rafting and cake-throwing because well, no one has stopped him for doing it. Now, however, he may have a legal-basis to stop.
SOURCE: Steve Aoki Facebook
Back in 2012, Michigan native Brittany Hickman attended a Steve Aoki concert in San Diego without having any knowledge about the nature of his. Standing with friends at the front of the crowd, Hickman soon found herself a the receiving end of a giant pool raft and a stage-diving Aoki. The stage-dive knocked Hickman unconscious, and days after the show, she found out that the incident had led to her breaking her neck.
Hickman has now filed a lawsuit against both Aoki and Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. She told ABC 10 News:
“I was trapped underneath the pool raft because they threw it out right where I was standing. My friends told me he landed on top of the pool raft, hit me on top of the head and I got knocked over.”
Hickman was not immediately aware of her condition. She only discovered the seriousness of her injury when she visited the hospital for a CAT scan a few days later. She later reflected:
“If I would have thrown my arms above my head or reached for something, I could have paralysed myself.”
SOURCE: Steve Aoki Facebook
The case is now headed to trial. ABC 10 reached out to Steve Aoki’s team for a response, to which they replied:
“Thank you for your inquiry. As you know I am the attorney representing Mr. Aoki. This matter arises out of an incident which occurred at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, three years ago. In addition to Mr. Aoki, Ms. Hickman is also suing Hard Rock. Trial in this matter is scheduled for August 28, 2015 before Judge Pressman of the San Diego Superior Court. Because of the ongoing litigation and the pending trial date it would not be appropriate for us to respond to your inquiry at this time or permit an interview.”
What are your thoughts on Aoki’s antics? Let us know by sounding off in the comments section.