Dwight Howard, the former NBA center currently playing in the Taiwanese pro basketball league, finds himself at the center of a legal battle while simultaneously addressing his online critics through unusual TikTok videos. This peculiar situation stems from allegations of sexual assault and battery, with the lawsuit filed against Howard by Stephen Harper in his home state of Georgia, relating to an incident in 2021.
In July 2021, Harper accused the 37-year-old Howard of sexual assault, leading to a legal battle that has recently gained significant attention. Howard has firmly denied these allegations and, instead, stated that the encounter between him and Harper was consensual, as asserted by his attorney.
Amidst this legal turmoil, Howard has chosen to confront his social media ‘haters’ with a pair of peculiar TikTok videos. In the first video, he begins by typing on his computer before dramatically transitioning into a furious rage, a scene accentuated by the sped-up footage. The caption accompanying this post reads, “How they want me to respond to haters online” with a laughing emoji, illustrating his unconventional approach to addressing criticism.
The second TikTok video, even more eccentric than the first, captures Howard standing behind a roaring lion. He attempts to replicate the lion’s fierce roar, creating a visually striking and baffling scene. This video was a response to a message from another TikTok user, inquiring about a person named ‘Kitty.’ This reference originates from Harper’s legal complaint, where he alleged that Howard introduced a man who identified as ‘Kitty’ during their encounter.
In his defense, Howard contended that he and Harper had willingly engaged in consensual activities, including kissing, while claiming that Harper was aware of ‘Kitty’s’ presence at his residence. Harper, on the other hand, maintained that he was subjected to a non-consensual threesome, asserting that Howard pinned him down against his will.
Harper’s lawsuit further includes allegations of intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment against Howard. In response, Howard’s attorney, Bailey, argued that the former NBA star is the victim of an extortion attempt. Bailey stated, “The allegations against Mr. Howard are contested. Mr. Howard intends to present the truth. The truth is Mr. Howard blocked Mr. Harper on social media and then was confronted with two options — pay to protect his reputation or have a fabricated story made public. Despite being an easy target due to the subject matter and his status as a celebrity, Mr. Howard chose to trust in the justice system and will rely on all future court filings to speak for themselves.”
Dwight Howard’s situation serves as a reminder of the complexities of navigating high-profile legal battles, where accusations and counterclaims intersect with social media engagement in unprecedented ways. As his legal battle unfolds, the former NBA star’s unique approach to addressing online criticism continues to baffle and intrigue observers.
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Written by
Derek Chan – Editor
