Drew Dixon is set to confront L.A. Reid in court next week as her sexual assault trial kicks off in Manhattan. The accusations date back to her time at Arista Records where she claims Reid harassed and assaulted her.
Drew Dixon, a prominent music executive known for her contributions to hits including Estelle’s “American Boy” and Whitney Houston’s “My Love Is Your Love,” is preparing for a sexual assault trial against former Arista Records CEO L.A. Reid. Jury selection is scheduled to begin next week in Manhattan federal court, where Dixon alleges that Reid harassed her upon his arrival at the label in 2000, leading to instances of sexual assault.
Dixon’s lawsuit, filed in November 2023, details a pattern of alleged harassment and uninvited advances from Reid. She claims that after she rebuffed his advances, Reid sought to undermine her career, blocking her from signing and retaining artists like John Legend. Feeling the impact of this alleged professional sabotage, Dixon left Arista in 2002 to pursue a degree at Harvard Business School.
Despite attempting to re-enter the music industry in 2004 as a general manager at Homeschool Records with Legend, Dixon contends that she frequently encountered Reid at industry events, which were painful reminders of her past experiences. In her efforts to shift her focus to songwriting, she alleges that Reid continued to antagonize her, further complicating her career trajectory.
Drew Dixon’s music career began over 30 years ago. After completing her studies at Stanford University, she started as an intern at Jive Records before moving to Zomba Music Publishing, where she signed notable acts like Nas. Dixon then joined Def Jam Recordings, where she produced iconic tracks and held the title of A&R director. She later became Vice President of A&R at Arista, where she played a key role in signing influential artists and producing hit songs.
L.A. Reid, on the other hand, is a celebrated figure in the music industry with a history of signing iconic artists and driving successful projects. He co-founded LaFace Records and has helped revive the careers of major stars like Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez. Reid’s tenure at Epic Records from 2011 until 2017 saw a string of chart-topping albums that solidified his reputation. However, Reid’s career faced scrutiny following allegations of sexual misconduct, leading to his departure from Epic.
Dixon’s accusations against Reid include allegations that he initiated unwanted advances at various professional settings. Court documents detail incidents where Reid made flirtatious comments and engaged in inappropriate touching without her consent. Dixon claims that when she tried to avoid his advances, he retaliated by undermining her in front of colleagues.
Reid has denied these allegations, and his attorney has refrained from commenting ahead of the trial. Dixon’s claims first gained traction when she accused Russell Simmons of rape in a 2017 interview, where she also mentioned the harassment she faced from Reid. Both parties are expected to testify during the trial, and notable figures, including John Legend, may also provide testimony regarding the events in question.