French Montana, rapper and fiancé of Dubai’s Sheikha Mahra, once faced assault allegations and survived shootings

Dubai’s Princess Sheikha Mahra is officially engaged to Moroccan-American rapper French Montana, according to a report by TMZ on August 27. The pair were recently spotted together at Paris Fashion Week, sparking rumors that were later confirmed when the outlet reported the engagement took place in June during the fashion event.

The two have been spotted together since 2024, from mosques to upscale restaurants in Dubai and Morocco.

However, there were times when the rapper was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

French Montana Once Faced Sexual Assault Allegations

French Montana, born Karim Kharbouch, has previously been the subject of serious allegations. As reported by The Independent, he was sued for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman while she was incapacitated.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of a plaintiff identified as Jane Doe, named Montana, his associate, and several business entities as defendants.

The complaint alleged that on March 28, 2018, Doe was “sexually assaulted, sexually harassed” by Montana.

Later developments revealed that the case was resolved out of court. As reported by The Blast, the lawsuit, which accused Montana and his business partner of “assault and battery, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, supervision and retention, and negligence,” was set to go to trial in March.

However, court filings showed the matter was settled just days before trial, and it remains unclear whether any financial settlement was involved.

The shooting incidents

In January 2023, during the filming of a music video for French Montana's song "Igloo" in Miami Gardens, Florida, a shooting broke out near the shoot location outside a soul food restaurant called The Licking. Ten people were injured, including rapper Rob49, as per the LA Times.

The rapper later expressed his condolences and said he was "in the wrong place at the wrong time" during the incident.

French Montana himself was shot in the back of the head in an incident in 2003, which he described as a "set-up" linked to his rising success and presence in his old neighborhood.

According to HipHop, the shooting happened while French was visiting a studio on 133rd Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx. Two gunmen approached him, and a scuffle ensued, resulting in the rapper suffering a non-fatal gunshot wound to the head. The shooter was killed by friendly fire from the other assailant.