Two women have now come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Aerosmith's lead singer, Steven Tyler, related to separate events in the 1970s when both were minors.
Jeanne Bellino's lawsuit alleges that Tyler assaulted her when she was 17, while earlier this year, Julia Misley also accused Tyler of sexual misconduct that started when she was 16.
Bellino claims the incident occurred in or around 1975 when she traveled to New York for a fashion show. After meeting Tyler and Aerosmith at the Warwick Hotel, Tyler allegedly forced her into a phone booth, engaging in non-consensual sexual acts.
Despite the alleged assault, Bellino says she remained with the group due to lacking the resources to leave. Tyler purportedly continued his advances at the hotel, which Bellino escaped, later fleeing to her home where she confided in her sister.
Misley's prior allegations include Tyler performing "criminal sexual conduct" against her in the 1970s. Notably, in 1974, Misley's mother granted Tyler legal guardianship over her, during which time Misley claims she became pregnant and was coerced by Tyler into an abortion under threat of financial cutoff.
Tyler has responded to Misley's accusations, insisting that their relationship was consensual and asserting that he cannot be sued due to his status as Misley's legal guardian at the time.
These lawsuits come as part of a broader societal reckoning with sexual assault, particularly where power dynamics and the exploitation of minors are involved.
