In a recent judicial development, a Los Angeles court has largely dismissed the allegations made against rock star Steven Tyler by Julia Misley, who filed a lawsuit in 2022 alleging that he sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager in the 1970s. Most of Misley’s claims have been dismissed, with only one remaining to be addressed in court.
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The ruling, made public on April 28, confirmed that Misley’s complaint, which included various charges connected to her alleged sexual relationship with the Aerosmith frontman, would proceed solely under the intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED) claim. Misley alleges that she and Tyler had sexual encounters when she was just 16 years old, outlining incidents at a hotel and a public hot tub in California in 1974. The lawsuit asserts that they were once engaged and residing together in Massachusetts by June 1975.
Steven Tyler’s attorney, David Long-Daniels, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, labelling it a significant victory for the singer. “Today, the Court has dismissed with prejudice 99.9% of the claims against Mr. Tyler in this case,” Long-Daniels stated, emphasising the long duration of time that has elapsed since the events in question. The remaining IIED claim is set to be examined further on August 31, 2026.
The judge’s ruling follows previous decisions made in the case, including a 2024 ruling that struck specific claims from Misley’s complaint. These included allegations that Tyler’s autobiography had inflicted emotional distress upon her. Tyler’s defence maintained that because the memoirs were published several years ago, Misley’s claims concerning them were barred by the statute of limitations and protected under the First Amendment rights concerning free speech.
Initially, Misley did not explicitly name Tyler in her lawsuit, yet her accusations mirrored statements made by the singer in his 2011 memoir, “Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?” In the book, Tyler referred to a relationship with a 16-year-old girl but did not identify her. After filing her lawsuit, Misley later specified Tyler’s name in her public statements.
Tyler, who has been vocal in denying all allegations against him, has argued that the relationship was consensual and that, as Misley’s legal guardian at the time, he was immune from responsibility. His lawyer previously contended that Misley was being “gaslighted” by her own legal counsel during their interactions, pointing to the complexity of the case involving emotional trauma and past relationships.
The case against Tyler is not isolated, as another woman, Jeanne Bellino, recently filed a separate lawsuit claiming that he assaulted her twice in one day when she was a teenager in 1975. However, this lawsuit was dismissed in February 2024 by a New York judge, who ruled that Bellino had waited too long to come forward with her allegations.
As the court prepares to address the remaining elements of Misley’s claims, the public and legal communities will continue to monitor the proceedings closely. This case, along with others filed against prominent figures in the entertainment industry, highlights ongoing discussions around accountability for historical sexual misconduct.
For anyone affected by sexual violence or assault, support services such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) and organisations like RAINN are available to offer help and guidance.