A Michigan-based rapper is taking legal action against Lyft after claiming a driver refused her service because of her body size—a confrontation that was caught on camera and has since gone viral.
36-year-old Dajua Blanding, better known by her stage name Dank Demoss, recorded the tense exchange earlier this month. In the video, she argues with a Lyft driver who repeatedly insists she’s too large to fit in his car.
“I can fit in this car,” Blanding is heard telling the driver.
His blunt reply: “You can’t, believe me.”
The driver ultimately canceled the ride and assured her she wouldn’t be charged. But for Blanding, the damage was already done. She claims the experience left her feeling humiliated and discriminated against, prompting her to file a lawsuit against Lyft.
“I’ve been in cars way smaller than that,” she said in a later interview. “I just want them to understand how deeply hurtful this was.”
While Blanding’s Instagram post sparked widespread attention, many commenters surprisingly sided with the driver—arguing he handled the situation respectfully and even suggesting she should have booked a larger vehicle like a Lyft XL. Some even cited legal concerns about vehicle weight capacity.
Nevertheless, Blanding remained firm in her stance, calling out the rideshare company for its treatment of plus-sized passengers. “Am I wrong?” she wrote in her post. “Lyft, your treatment of big people is disgusting. It’s like we don’t even belong here.”
Her lawsuit alleges the driver, who pulled up in a Mercedes-Benz, locked his doors and attempted to drive off upon seeing her. When she confronted him, he reportedly told her she was too big for the backseat and insinuated that her weight could damage his tires.
According to her attorneys, Zach Runyan and Jonathan Marko, the incident violates Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws, which include weight as a protected category.
“I knew immediately this was illegal—and wrong,” Marko told Fox 2, likening the refusal to deny someone service based on race or religion.
Despite criticism, Blanding hasn’t backed down. Days after the incident, she posted another video, confidently wearing yoga shorts and a jacket, standing by her decision to speak out.
Blanding has been open about her weight journey. In December, she revealed she once weighed over 500 pounds and has since lost nearly 40.
In a statement, Lyft said: “Everyone should be treated with respect and kindness. Harassment and discrimination of any kind are strictly prohibited by our community guidelines and terms of service.”
As the lawsuit unfolds, it raises serious questions about the fine line between safety and discrimination in the gig economy—and how far a driver’s discretion can go.
