Six models sue Charlotte nightclub, claiming ‘immoral’ use of their images
Six models are suing a Charlotte nightclub in federal court for false advertising by using their images without permission or compensation, a move they claimed was “immoral, unethical, oppressive and unscrupulous.”
Jamaican Flava Lounge at 2103 N. Graham St. allegedly altered images of six professional models on social media to falsely suggest they were affiliated with or endorsed the club, according to a lawsuit filed this summer in U.S. District Court of the Western District of North Carolina. The club owners are Roger Smith and Teresia Hood, according to the complaint. The nightclub touts a patio, music, hookah, food and Caribbean vibes on its social media sites.
The plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial and damages for trademark infringement.
About the models
Models Ashley Ilene of New Jersey, Brenda Geiger of New York, Tiffany Keller, Janet Guzman and Yodit Yemane (also known as Jodie Joe), all of California, and Emily Scott of Australia, said in the lawsuit that they never worked for, endorsed or authorized use of their images for the nightclub.
Each model is well known with significant social media followings and professional modeling experience, according to the complaint.
Guzman has nearly two million Instagram followers and Yemane has over one million followers on Instagram, according to the lawsuit.
Ilene, a model and clothing designer, has over 322,000 followers on Instagram; and Keller, who has been featured on Las Vegas billboards, has over 627,000 social media followers, the lawsuit said.
Geiger has appeared in magazines like Glamour and Maxim and performed alongside rapper Lil Wayne in a music video for singer Keri Hilson. And Scott, a DJ and model, has been featured in Playboy and shows including “Entourage” and “Dancing with the Stars Australia.”
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Models claim no affiliation to Charlotte club
Social media advertisements on Facebook and Instagram with each model’s photo included in the federal filing are from 2021 to 2023.
Promotional advertisements on Jamaican Flava Lounge’s Facebook and Instagram were “intentionally altered” to make it appear as though the women were employees, endorsed or associated with the nightclub, according to the lawsuit.
Jamaican Flava Lounge’s “advertising practices are immoral, unethical, oppressive and unscrupulous insofar as they have sought to confuse the public for their own commercial and financial benefit,” the lawsuit said.
None of the models were paid by the club, and the “illegal use of (Jamaican Flava Lounge) images have caused each plaintiff to suffer substantial monetary damages and harm to reputation,” the lawsuit said.
Jamaican Flava Lounge is no longer in business north of uptown. It’s unclear when the club permanently closed. The last posts on social media are from 2023. No lawyers are listed for the defendants.
The models’ lawyers, John Golaszewski of The Casas Law Firm in New York City and Matthew Gambale of Counsel Carolina in Raleigh, did not respond to requests for comment Monday from The Charlotte Observer.
This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
