Grammy Winner Ashanti Reveals Dark Truth Behind Stalker

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I can hardly fathom the experience of being Ashanti, the illustrious R&B monarch who has enchanted us with everlasting melodies like “Foolish” and “Always on Time”. Yet, even as you revel in your dream, there lurks a shadow – the unsettling obsession of a stranger. For more than a decade, Devar Hurd’s persistent harassment cast a pall over Ashanti’s life, turning it into a rollercoaster ride of fear and uncertainty.

More recently, the 44-year-old vocalist courageously disclosed the troubling facts concerning Hurd’s intrusive behavior, ranging from inappropriate messages to unexpected appearances at her sister’s functions. This ordeal exposed the deep emotional impact it had on her, leading her to strengthen security measures and confront him in court several times.

Invasion of Ashanti’s privacy by a terrifying stalker

In 2003, Devar Hurd developed an intense interest in Ashanti which grew stronger by 2006. Instead of addressing Ashanti directly, he started bombarding her mother Tina Douglas with troubling text messages and photos, claiming they were intended for Ashanti. He even spun intricate tales about a romance that never occurred, despite it being fictitious. (Source: CBS)

In 2009, Hurd was found guilty of stalking and harassment and spent two years behind bars. Upon his release, he persisted with problematic conduct. He disregarded restraining orders by bombarding the singer-actor Ashanti’s Twitter account with over a hundred inappropriate messages between 2012 and 2013, some of which contained explicit material.

Currently, an R&B artist and actor has spoken openly about a challenging experience she faced – dealing with stalking by Hurd that felt intrusive and caused her significant distress. On the April 28 episode of Investigation Discovery’s docuseries titled “Hollywood Demons” in the segment called “Stalking the Stars“, Ashanti revealed:

I’m fortunate to have some truly fantastic fans worldwide, so I strive to be considerate and polite at all times. However, there are moments when the attention becomes quite overwhelming. In 2009, while I was portraying Dorothy in The Wiz on Broadway, my mother started receiving photos and texts of me (as reported by Entertainment Weekly).

I’m blessed with some truly exceptional fans worldwide, and I always aim to be kind and respectful. But sometimes the attention can feel a bit too much. In 2009, while playing Dorothy in The Wiz on Broadway, my mom started receiving pictures and messages (as reported by Entertainment Weekly).

Ashanti disclosed that Hurd was persistently and intimidatingly insisting they were a couple with the singer, leading to her seeking legal action for safeguarding herself.

How did the Hurd’s harassment “change” Ashanti’s life?

Initially, Judge Devar Hurd ordered two years’ imprisonment for the individual in question; however, they were released after only one year. The singer Baby believed that by contacting the law, she successfully eliminated her dangerous stalker; unfortunately, this was not the case. Despite the court imposing a “no contact” directive, Hurd persisted in harassing Ashanti and even shared a photograph he had taken with her sister, Kenashia Douglas, at an event.

Due to breaking the rules set by the court, his trial for stalking resumed; this prolonged legal process lasted from 2009 to 2016. In 2014, Hurd opted to represent himself in court, which led him to question Ashanti during cross-examination. Eventually, in 2016, he was found guilty of a second-degree felony stalking charge but was freed a year later.

Ashanti described the whole incident as unsettling and remarked:

Changed my life… it’s unsettling, it’s disheartening, and it makes you question who’s the victim.

Regardless of the harrowing ordeal and prolonged psychological distress, Ashanti continues to maintain a positive outlook on life, believing strongly that Hurd understands the lesson from his error.

In the concluding part of “Hollywood Demons,” airing on Investigation Discovery, the episode titled “Chasing Cosmic Beings” will be aired on April 28th at 9 p.m. EST/PST. You can catch it on ID or stream it on Max.

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2025-04-28 23:24