Milagro Gramz has filed a motion asking a federal judge to halt enforcement of a reinstated $75,000 defamation judgment in favor of Megan Thee Stallion, citing financial hardship and the risk that collection efforts could undermine her pending appeal.
On May 29, Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga entered an amended final judgment in favor of the three-time Grammy winner, born Megan Pete, on three counts against Milagro Elizabeth Cooper. The decision reverses an earlier dismissal and restores the jury's verdict of defamation liability, according to AllHipHop.
Four days later, on June 2, Gramz filed a stay request by representing herself as she takes the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
In the filing, Gramz described herself as a "self-employed media commentator, researcher and content creator" whose income flows from subscriptions, platform monetization, and audience support, revenue streams that shift from month to month.
She wrote: "I do not possess substantial liquid assets and do not have the financial resources necessary to immediately satisfy the judgment or post a full supersedeas bond." Gramz also told the court that, as a "self-employed individual," she supports a household with two minor children.
Her filings warned that moving to collect before the Eleventh Circuit weighs in could bury her appellate effort before it starts. "Immediate collection efforts would create a substantial hardship and could significantly impair my ability to pursue my appeal, including costs associated with filing fees, transcripts, record preparation, legal research, and other necessary appellate expenses," Gramz wrote. The vlogger also asked the court to waive, reduce, or modify the bond requirement entirely. Megan's legal team opposes the stay, per AllHipHop.
The jury that originally found Gramz liable had determined she coordinated with Tory Lanez and his father to defame Megan, awarding $15,000 in defamation damages, $8,000 for intentional infliction of emotional distress, and $2,000 in combined punitive damages, per Rolling Stone.
The defamation portion was initially tossed after the jury also found Gramz qualified as a media defendant, before Judge Altonaga's May 29 reinstatement order brought the total back to $75,000.
The financial stakes may increase. According to TMZ, Florida law could also require Gramz to cover Megan's attorney fees, pushing the total obligation well past the judgment amount. Judge Altonaga's ruling on the stay motion will determine whether Gramz must begin paying immediately or carry the debt into the appellate process.
