A contestant is suing the production company behind "America's Got Talent," claiming that new host Tyra Banks "physically manipulated and verbally abused" their young daughter.
Court documents state that the plaintiff and her husband were performing a song "about motherhood" that celebrated her daughter Mary's birth and "the family bond."
The lawsuit then states that Banks abused Mary after she was asked to act "embarrassed by her parent's performance."
"Banks shook Mary's shoulder, pulled Mary's hair back and physically manipulated Mary," the lawsuit reads.
"Mary did not stop Banks' conduct because Mary was fearful. Banks also insinuated that Mary was accidentally conceived, made fun of the performance and ridiculed [the song] in front of Mary, all in front of active cameras that were filming Mary.""As a result of her negative experience from AGT and [the] abusive treatment, Mary was traumatized, and became deeply depressed. Mary would become extremely nervous and anxious whenever... she hears any mentions of [the] song... whenever she ruminates about the events during and related to the performance, and whenever she thinks about the prospective televised airing," it continues.
The plaintiff says she contacted the show about not airing any footage of Mary, herself or her husband.
The plaintiff is suing Marathon for intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, civil battery, and civil assault.
Banks was announced as the new host of "America's Got Talent" recently as it heads into its 12th season following the departure of Nick Cannon.
