Shannon Sharpe, Chad Johnson Sued for $20M Over Usher Concert Defamation

Jimalita Tillman, a cultural executive and single mother, has filed a $20 million defamation lawsuit against sports media personalities Shannon Sharpe, Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, and their podcast production company Shay Shay Media. The suit stems from false claims made on their podcast that Tillman was married and that her husband was filing for divorce after a viral flirtatious moment with Usher during his April 2, 2025, concert. Tillman asserts she was not married at the time and that the defamatory statements caused emotional distress and reputational harm, affecting her personal and professional life. Despite her repeated requests for the removal of these false narratives, the defendants allegedly ignored her pleas and continued to disseminate the misinformation across their platforms. This lawsuit follows closely after Sharpe's recent $50 million settlement in another case and his exit from ESPN. Tillman's legal action highlights ongoing issues of misinformation and its impact on individuals caught in viral moments.