In the midst of sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein, another name is making headlines. Magician David Blaine is being investigated by Scotland Yard after Model Natasha Prince claims he raped her.
It allegedly happened at Blaine's London home in 2004, not long after Prince's 21st birthday. According to The Daily Beast, the two met at a nightclub in Kingsbridge that summer. Blaine texted her the next day to invite her out for drinks. Prince says she hesitated but eventually accepted the invitation.
Once she got to the mansion, she did note other couples were present, but they did not acknowledge her. Blaine left to fix her a drink, which she says wasn't strong. After talking for a few minutes, Prince claims Blaine said he wanted to show her something in a bedroom. It was at that point during the conversation she started crying.
The two stepped outside to get some air, then went into the dark bedroom. Prince says Blaine asked her for a kiss, and she gave him one. She recalled the rest of the interaction. "And then he said, 'Finish your drink' and took the glass from me and put it on the table, and that's really the last thing I remember. At some point, I was on the bed, face-forward, and he was behind me. I think it woke me up a bit because I'd never had that done to me before. I remember moving around a lot. I was limp, and I was very floaty; I was in and out of a deep sleep."
Blaine's attorney Michael Singer says otherwise. "My client vehemently denies that he raped or sexually assaulted any woman, ever and he specifically denies raping a woman in 2004. If in fact, there is any police investigation, my client will fully cooperate because he has nothing to hide."
It is important to note that Britain does not have a statute of limitations on sex crimes. Prince reported the incident to police on November 17, 2016. In a statement to The Daily Beast, Scotland Yard told the publication they are investigating. At this time there have been no arrests. However, authorities have asked Blaine to return to Britain to be interviewed.
