Dank Demoss has fought back against her lawsuit against Lyft by illustrating that she does indeed fit into a compact car. The Detroit-based artist, known for her unapologetic attitude took to social media to share a video that has since gone viral. In the clip, Demoss confidently maneuvers into the small vehicle, challenging claims made by a Lyft driver who refused to give her a ride due to concerns about her size.
The video, gaining traction very shortly, was an overt reply to Demoss’ lawsuit, one she had filed against Lyft. In it, she confidently enters a compact SUV, settling slowly, only to lock eyes squarely into the camera lens, exclaiming,
“Yeah, I fit. What now?”
The internet both lit up positively, as fans rallied to support her, as well as negatively, as people questioned whether she had shown it as well as she could.
Demoss’s battle with Lyft began when one of its drivers turned down the ride, stating that his car wasn’t suited for carrying her. In her lawsuit, she alleges that the driver locked the doors and told her she had to hail an UberXL, only canceling the ride. Demoss, who weighed 554 pounds last year, alleges this was an act of discrimination, as well as one that broke Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
In her lawsuit, Demoss alleges that there is weight discrimination, and she hopes that by going to court, she can set an example as to how ride-sharing companies treat plus-size travelers.
“I’m not asking for special treatment, I’m asking for fair treatment. If I pay for an Uber ride, I expect one.”
She told an interviewer last month.
The now-viral video shows Demoss, always stylish, confidently getting into a compact SUV. Demoss winks at the camera while she closes the car door, indicating that the driver had nothing to claim so.
Reactions to the video have also been mixed. Fans inundated the comments section with messages praising her boldness and going against discrimination. “Queen energy! Show them what’s up!” one commented. Others questioned whether the video did enough, however, to tackle the practical realities of ride-sharing apps accepting bigger people.
Lyft has released an announcement later, reaffirming commitment to inclusion and anti-discrimination.
“We take these types of accusations very seriously and have zero tolerance for any form of discrimination on our platform. Both drivers and riders are expected to respect community guidelines,”
the company stated. But the ride-hail giant has not commented specifically on the specifics of Demoss’s case.
Beyond the lawsuit, Demoss has also advocated for body positivity and equal treatment of people who are plus-size.
“I’m here representing everybody out there, my big queens, If I can get myself in that SUV, you guys can get yourselves wherever you need to get!”
Demoss told us during an interview.
With her case still ongoing, this going-viral sensation has only added further discussions about discrimination, accessibility, and respect toward every body shape. Whether it’s on social media or in court, Dank Demoss is proving she’s one you shouldn’t mess with.
