Viacom has avoided a defamation trial stemming from a 2014 lawsuit filed by former music executive, Perri "Pebbles" Reid over the TLC VH1 biopic, CrazySexyCool, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The company came to a settlement with Reid, who formerly managed the groundbreaking girl group, before the trial was expected to start on Sept. 24.

Reid had filed a $40 million lawsuit against the company, over her depiction in the 2013 biopic, saying Viacom defamed her in the film. In the movie, scenes depict Reid paying the band only $25 per week, and not giving the group members—Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Rozonda  "Chilli" Thomas—enough time to properly look over contracts before signing them. Reid objected to her portrayal as a "conniving and dishonest business woman who hoodwinked three innocent girls and exploited their talent for her own personal gain."

For their part, Viacom stood by the film.

“‘CrazySexyCool’ was a docudrama about the experiences of the members of TLC told from their perspective," the network told Page Six back in 2016. "We are confident that our First Amendment rights to tell this story will ultimately be vindicated, although we are disappointed that the court chose not to dismiss the entire case on summary judgment.”

The case was officially closed on Aug. 24 and the terms of the settlement are confidential.

 

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