*Jimalita Tillman, a Chicago woman who gained attention for a playful interaction with Usher at his London concert, is suing Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson, and Sharpe’s Shay Shay Media for defamation.
As Vibe reports, the lawsuit, filed in April, stems from false claims made on their “Nightcap” podcast, alleging Tillman was married and facing divorce due to the viral moment. “I am not married, nor am I currently going through a divorce,” Tillman stated in the legal filing.
The controversy began after a TikTok clip showed Tillman, dubbed “Aunty Cherry,” engaging flirtatiously with Usher as he dangled cherries over her mouth. “When he came around with those cherries, I said, ‘Well, life is a bowl of cherries, I’ll take one, maybe two,’” she told WGN9 in Chicago.
The interaction, fueled by Usher’s “magnetic personality,” sparked rumors that her husband filed for divorce, which Tillman refutes, noting, “That is completely false. I am single.”
Tillman, a retired homeschool mom, was in London scouting venues for a theater festival. She argues that the false narrative spread by Sharpe and Johnson caused emotional distress and harmed her professional relationships.
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@monochromeego I was second hand shy. aunty knew what she came for! #usher #usherday3 ♬ original sound – ? JOANITA. ?
“I’m a private citizen… you better fact check and double check what you’re saying,” she said on “The Morning Hustle,” criticizing the lack of journalistic integrity. She also noted, “Shay Shay Media does not have a policy in place about false information… They do not feel they have to be held accountable, and they do.”
Despite attempts to resolve the issue through emails and letters, Tillman received no response, prompting her to pursue legal action and advocate for private citizens’ rights.
“I don’t got nothing against that man, but at the end of the day, I will protect my name,” she asserted.
The viral spread of the misinformation, reaching millions, has left Tillman frustrated, saying, “I’m tired of being the punchline.”
She plans to take her fight for accountability to Congress.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Chicago Woman Dubbed ‘Aunty Cherry’ Refutes Divorce Rumors Sparked by Viral Usher Moment
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