#MusicBiz – Perri ‘Pebbles’ Reid Settles With Viacom Over TLC Biopic
Media giant – Viacom has avoided a defamation trial stemming from a 2014 lawsuit filed by former music executive, Perri “Pebbles” Reid over the TLC VH1 biopic, CrazySexyCool, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
Viacom came to a settlement with Reid, who formerly managed TLC, before the trial was expected to start on Sept. 24.
Pebbles Reid had filed a $40 million lawsuit against Viacom, over her depiction in the 2013 biopic, saying Viacom defamed her in the film. In the movie, scenes depict Reid paying the band only $25 per week, and not giving the group members—Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas—enough time to properly look over contracts before signing them. Reid objected to her portrayal as a “conniving and dishonest business woman who hoodwinked three innocent girls and exploited their talent for her own personal gain.”
“‘CrazySexyCool’ was a docudrama about the experiences of the members of TLC told from their perspective,” the network told Page Six back in 2016. “We are confident that our First Amendment rights to tell this story will ultimately be vindicated, although we are disappointed that the court chose not to dismiss the entire case on summary judgment.”
The case was officially closed on Aug. 24 and the terms of the settlement are confidential.
