I’m back with a post I had in the drafts, but now that the case has settled, I’ll post my original thoughts along with an amended section about the settlement. This is a longer road so please enjoy and keep the comments polite.

It’s important to note the multitude of power dynamic differences between Shannon and Gabby that are not present in each relationship: a 30+ year age difference, Shannon’s likability and influence as he is well-known and popular, money, race, and Gabby being a sex worker.

Allegedly, they met in 2023 when Gabby was 19 and Shannon was 55. Why was Shannon chasing after such a young woman? I completely understand 19 is legal, but if we are solely relying on legality for all of the choices we make, it only prevents us from seeing the inside of a jail, not the judgement and possible dissociation from others. This lady was more than a decade younger than his youngest child. What was he thinking?

While I personally don’t judge him for dating or hiring a sex worker, consent is non-negotiable. A sex worker is still a person with bodily autonomy. Sex workers are allowed to have boundaries to which sex acts they want to engage in as well as how they engage in them. If what is alleged in the lawsuit is true, she is a victim, no matter the occupation.

When this lawsuit was filed, Gabby wanted her identity protected and Shannon exposed her full name, opening her up to the vitriol and judgement of the internet at such a vulnerable time. Shannon is well-known and liked, he wanted to use the court of public opinion so he is favored, especially because she is a white sex worker. Since doing so, most of the conversations online have been stuck on the racial differences between the two, bringing up Black men who have been falsely accused, taking on the assumption Gabby is lying. Most allegations against men are not believed, especially a rich man as people believe any women is after his money, believing he could or would never commit these types of crimes since many would freely do whatever he wants. Men with money, power, and influence are not immune to committing violence towards women, it is simply those attributes allow them to evade consequences. If the accusations are true, Shannon’s actions have led him here. Not every Black man being accused of a crime is innocent and it is important to keep that in mind.

Shannon initially offered a $10 million dollar settlement. A settlement with such a high price tag makes Shannon seem guilty or at least attempting to hide something from becoming public. Again, it seems like they were in some form of a sex work dynamic so it’s possible choking was a kink of theirs along with racial fetishization, however, threatening to choke someone when you see them isn’t okay. The phone audio released didn’t seem sexual in nature so his statement was inappropriate.

One of the lingering points is Shannon should have chose a Black woman. The underlying implications in the statement are clear: there would be less consequences, if any, if a Black woman was involved. If a man is abusive, him being with a Black woman wouldn’t cure him of it. In fact, a Black woman is more likely to experience intimate partner violence compared to other women. Understanding Black people are less likely to call the police, perpetrators are likely to get away with their crimes. No one should have to experience abuse, violence, assault, etc.

There needs to be full conversations and understanding of sex and consent in all of its nuances. If her allegations are true, wanting justice and accountability is not a ‘shake down.’

Recently this case was settled privately with the settlement yet to be disclosed. Initially Shannon offered Gabby $10 million and she countered with a $50 million lawsuit. She probably received between $11-49 million with rumors swirling she got $23 million. Whatever the settlement I, it is ironic due to some of Shannon’s past comments. When Young Miami was on his show, he told her he didn’t have any money and they would live in section 8. He told his daughter to keep a 30K budget for her wedding. He’s also expressed many times he wants to date his wage, not his age. With this settlement he has retired Gabby, as she has announced on social media along with upcoming projects. Shannon’s three children went to school, got degrees, and have to work, Gabby does not. Are his children going to inherit a similar amount or is this retirement and creation of generational wealth only reserved for Gabby?