Britney Spears Sued for Allegedly Breaking Dancer's Nose

Dawn Noel claims it happened while shooting the "Work Bitch" music video

By Claudia Rosenbaum, Peter Gicas May 06, 2014 5:50 PMTags
E! Placeholder Image

Britney Spears is being sued by a dancer for battery and negligence after apparently being injured during the filming of the singer's "Work Bitch" music video.

In the complaint obtained by E! News, Dawn Noel claims that when Spears arrived for the video shoot in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Aug. 19, 2013, the 32-year-old pop star was "in a disheveled and confused state." She adds that, "although the choreography involving Britney Spears was fairly basic, she was having difficulty learning the moves, performing dance steps and following simple directions."

Noel says that after about a half hour of rehearsing, Spears "twirled in an unbalanced and reckless manner, arms extended out to her sides and forcefully backhanded" her directly in the face.

The lawsuit alleges the breaking of Noel's noise made "a cracking sound" that was heard by other dancers. Noel says she saw a doctor later that day and was promised by Spears' reps and the Reign Deer Entertainment company that her medical bills would be paid.

However, Noel claims that she was later told that the bills would not be paid, which is why she ultimately filed the suit.

Noel is demanding a jury trial. She is suing for serious physical and emotional damages including disfigurement to her nose as well as severe emotional distress and anxiety.