The viral video of a white woman having a meltdown at a Victoria’s Secret store in 2021 has resurfaced with new revelations and legal implications. The woman, identified as Abigail Elphick, has filed a countersuit against the Black woman who filmed her, Ijeoma Ukenta, claiming that she is disabled and was mislabeled as a racist. Ukenta, on the other hand, has accused Elphick of assault and discrimination, and has raised over $100,000 on GoFundMe to sue her and the mall security. What happened to Abigail Elphick and what is the latest update on the Victoria’s Secret Karen lawsuit? Here is everything you need to know.
Lawsuit Claims There’s More to the ‘Victoria’s Secret Karen’ Story
According to a report by The New York Times, legal filings have revealed that there is more to the story of the Victoria’s Secret Karen incident than what was captured on camera. The report claims that Elphick is disabled, with a long history of medical and psychological conditions, and that her meltdown was triggered by fear of losing her job and housing.
Allegations of Disability Being a Factor
The report cites Tom Toronto, the president of Bergen County’s United Way, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and services for people with disabilities. Toronto said that Elphick lives in a residential complex reserved for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and that she “has a disorder” and “anxiety”. He also said that she had a meltdown and that the world we live in took over and made it something entirely different than what it actually was.
History of Medical and Psychological Conditions
The report also mentions that Elphick has a long history of medical and psychological conditions, including bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and borderline personality disorder. She has been hospitalized several times for suicidal ideation and self-harm, and has been on medication since she was 12 years old. She also suffers from seizures, migraines, and chronic pain.
What Happened to Abigail Elphick?
Elphick has filed a countersuit against Ukenta, claiming that she is disabled and that the video violated her right to privacy. She also denied being racist or assaulting Ukenta, and said that she was having a panic attack and wanted to be left alone.
Filed Countersuit Stating She is Disabled
Elphick’s lawyers argued that she is disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and that Ukenta’s video invaded her privacy and caused her emotional distress. They also said that Ukenta provoked Elphick by standing too close to her and recording her without consent. They claimed that Ukenta exploited Elphick’s disability for financial gain and fame.
Mental Illness as a Contributing Factor
Elphick’s lawyers also said that her mental illness was a contributing factor to her meltdown, and that she was afraid of losing her job as a teacher’s aide and her housing if the video went viral. They said that Elphick had no history of racism or violence, and that she apologized to Ukenta after the incident.
Who are Ijeoma Ukenta and Abigail Elphick?
Ijeoma Ukenta and Abigail Elphick are the two women involved in the viral video of the Victoria’s Secret Karen incident. They have different backgrounds and identities, and played different roles in the video.
Backgrounds and Identities
Ukenta is a Black woman who immigrated from Nigeria to the United States in 2007. She is a mother of two children and works as an IT analyst. She said that she went to the Victoria’s Secret store at the Short Hills Mall in New Jersey to buy a free pair of underwear with her coupon.
Elphick is a white woman who lives in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. She works as a teacher’s aide at a special education school. She said that she went to the Victoria’s Secret store to buy some perfume.
Role in Viral Video
The video shows Ukenta filming Elphick after she allegedly tried to hit her. Elphick then starts crying, screaming, lying on the floor, chasing Ukenta around the store, and asking her to stop recording. Ukenta asks the store employees and the mall security to intervene, but they do not seem to help much. The video also shows Elphick calling 911 and claiming that Ukenta threatened her.
Recent Updates on the Victoria’s Secret Karen Lawsuit
The Victoria’s Secret Karen lawsuit has been making headlines recently, with new developments and statements from both parties. Here are some of the recent updates on the case.
Abigail Elphick’s Apology and Comments
In an interview with The New York Times, Elphick apologized for her behavior and said that she was not racist or violent. She also said that she was having a panic attack and wanted to be left alone. She said that she felt humiliated and traumatized by the video, and that she lost her job and received death threats because of it. She also said that she hoped to reconcile with Ukenta and move on with her life.
Media Coverage and Reactions
The Victoria’s Secret Karen incident has received widespread media coverage and social media reactions, with many people calling out Elphick for her actions and supporting Ukenta for her courage. However, some people have also expressed sympathy for Elphick and questioned Ukenta’s motives and credibility. The case has also sparked a debate about racism, mental health, privacy, and disability rights in the society.
Conclusion
The Victoria’s Secret Karen lawsuit is a complex and controversial case that involves two women with different perspectives and experiences. The viral video of the incident has exposed the issues of racism, mental health, privacy, and disability rights in the society, and has generated mixed responses from the public. The case is still ongoing, and the outcome is yet to be determined.
