Photo: Julia Reel (TikTok)
A white woman who accused a Black bouncer of shoving her down the stairs at a Chicago restaurant is now facing a defamation lawsuit after new footage shows another side of the story. Hubbard Inn, a restaurant and lounge in the Windy City's River North neighborhood, is suing TikToker Julia Reel over her now-deleted video alleging a Black bouncer got physical with her and her friend on March 10.
"I’m immediately grabbed by this man and he’s grabbing my arm, he’s pushing me, he’s manhandling me," the 22-year-old woman said, claiming the bouncer screamed at her before throwing her down the stairs. "I’m just pushed down. He sends me flying down the staircase."
The TikTok garnered over 100,000 views before it was taken down. Reel has since privated her social media pages, as well.
Hubbard Inn responded to Reel's allegations with their own TikTok, including security footage of the bouncer safely escorting Reel and her friend out of the restaurant. The bouncer isn't violent with either of the women and they're seen walking down the stairs. The footage ends with the bouncer pointing them toward an exit and taking them to a door.
The restaurant claims they've suffered reputational harm, negative reviews, cancellations, and threats over Reel's TikTok, according to court filings obtained by NBC Chicago. The lawsuit also claims the TikToker and her friend were escorted out for being verbally abusive toward staff in the bathroom.
Corboy & Demetrio, the law firm representing Reel, posted a video calling the restaurant's post "self-serving." Attorneys also allege their client suffered injuries, including a concussion and a laceration, in an area that wasn't videotaped.
"Respectfully, we urge the public to hold off on a rush to judgment and/or victim shaming until all of the evidence is presented in a court of law," the video concludes.
Reporters said the case will got to court on May 23.
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