Azealia Banks Takes Legal Action Against Matty Healy Over X Posts.
US rapper Azealia Banks has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Matty Healy, the frontman of The 1975, following a heated exchange on X where he threatened to slap her. On Sunday, Banks posted a screenshot of the letter on X, which she claimed her lawyer sent to Healy.
However, the post was deleted on Monday, replaced by a notice from X indicating it violated the platform's guidelines. The letter, which was reportedly reviewed by NBC News before its removal, accuses Healy of making defamatory remarks and threatening her with violence.
It demands that he stop making "further threats and defamatory statements" against Banks. Additionally, the letter requests a public apology and seeks $1 million (£784,000) in damages. Wallace Collins, Banks's attorney, confirmed he drafted the letter on Saturday. He stated that Banks "unequivocally stands by the factual allegations and legal claims as outlined in the December 7, 2024 letter," in a statement sent to NBC News.
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The conflict between Healy and Banks began last week on X when Healy criticized her for her negative comments about pop star Charli XCX's looks. Healy, whose account is now deactivated, told Banks that "the women you attack seem to be culturally relevant, attractive, divisive and NICE people. I think this makes you jealous because you're so talented but everything else about you is a failure." Healy later posted that he would "f*** you up" and "slap" anyone who insulted his fiancée, Gabbriette Bechtel.
Banks reacted by describing Bechtel as resembling "Frankenstein," and remarked that she and Healy, who has been candid about his recovery from heroin addiction, "look like you share needles." In response, Healy labeled Banks a "rat" and issued a threat to "slap" her in a post that has since been deleted.
Entertainment Weekly reported that Healy later shared an apology before his account was shut down, stating: "Nah I can't be saying I'm gonna hit a girl that's insane I'm sorry. "You just can't keep being so mean about my mates and my mrs; it's really hurtful and makes me quite defensive." This tweet was not captured by Lawyer Monthly. Azealia Banks’ legal action against Matty Healy highlights the ongoing tension between the two artists. Her cease-and-desist letter demands a public apology and damages, escalating the feud that began on X. This conflict underscores the growing impact of social media on celebrity relationships and legal matters.
