Background of the Case

Detroit rapper Dajua Blanding, professionally known as Dank DeMoss, has reportedly lost her lawsuit against ride-sharing company Lyft. The lawsuit, filed in early 2025, alleged that a Lyft driver refused to provide her service due to her weight, sparking a legal battle over discrimination claims.

The incident in question occurred when DeMoss attempted to book a Lyft ride and was allegedly denied service by a driver. She claimed the refusal was based solely on her weight, arguing that this constituted discrimination under Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which prohibits bias based on weight, race, gender, and other protected characteristics.

Following the incident, DeMoss took to social media to share her frustration, which led to widespread public debate over weight discrimination in ride-sharing services.

Legal Proceedings and Ruling

DeMoss’s legal team argued that the driver’s refusal violated Lyft’s own policies and Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws. However, after a legal review, the court ruled in favor of Lyft, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to prove intentional discrimination. The judge determined that the driver’s actions, while unfortunate, did not meet the legal threshold for discrimination under state law.

Lyft’s legal representatives maintained that the company does not tolerate discrimination and emphasized that drivers have the right to refuse service for reasons unrelated to protected characteristics, such as vehicle capacity and safety concerns.

Reaction and Aftermath

Following the court’s decision, DeMoss expressed her disappointment on social media, stating that the ruling sets a concerning precedent for weight discrimination cases. Supporters of DeMoss have criticized the legal system for not recognizing weight-based discrimination as a serious issue.

Lyft released a statement reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity and anti-discrimination policies but reiterated that drivers have discretion in accepting rides based on vehicle limitations and other non-discriminatory factors.

While this case has concluded, it has sparked a larger conversation about the need for clearer regulations regarding weight discrimination in transportation services.