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Skylar Grey taking legal action over ex-boyfriend's alleged extortion

Written by . Published: December 16 2017

Singer-songwriter Skylar Grey is taking legal action against an ex-boyfriend who allegedly attempted to extort her by threatening to release intimate photos and videos.


Lawyers for Grey, real name Holly Brook Hafermann, who co-wrote Eminem and Beyonce's duet Walk on Water, and has performed it alongside the rapper on U.K. and U.S. TV, have sent a cease and desist letter to her ex Michael Hays, according to U.S. website The Blast.

In the letter, dated 13 December (17), they claim he has "taken illegal efforts to extort and harass" her and that his behavior constitutes "criminal extortion".

Her legal team have threatened to report him to police officers, the U.S. Attorney, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and prosecutors in Indiana if he continues his alleged "blackmail" of the musician.

Grey's attorneys have accused Hays of threatening to release sexually explicit photos and videos of Grey.

They also allege that in videos posted on YouTube, her ex has claimed the singer-songwriter, who also had a hand in Eminem and Rihanna's 2010 hit Love the Way You Lie, stole lyrics she has written for the hip-hop star.

Her representatives told The Blast any allegations of plagiarism were false.

In their letter Grey's lawyers claim Hays is a "felon with a history of serious convictions" and have threatened him with jail time and a multi-million dollar claim for compensatory and punitive damages.

Grey, 31, and her lawyers are demanding her ex destroys any intimate videos or pictures and removes online posts containing accusations about the star.

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