Ahead of Netflix's Vince McMahon documentary, Janel Grant's team wants you to remember "she is a human being"

With the Netflix documentary on Vince McMahon looming, Janel Grant’s team held a press briefing on Thursday. The day prior, Grant’s team announced the addition of SKDK to their team. Since filing the lawsuit, she has been represented by The Agency Group. Both PR teams will continue to represent Grant. 

Kendra Barkoff Lamy is SKDK’s representative for Grant. They have represented survivors of Jeffery Epstein, Marilyn Manson, and Harvey Weinstein. Their team also supported some of the former Washington Commanders employees in their lawsuit against Dan Snyder, the former team owner. 

In a statement, Lamy said “Janel Grant is a survivor of incomprehensible abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking at the hands of Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE. She has courageously come forward to seek justice for herself and other survivors, and we are honored to support her in sharing her story. It takes immense strength to speak out against Goliaths and we encourage all survivors of sexual harassment, assault, and human trafficking to seek the support they need.” 

Callis also released a statement regarding working with the company. “SKDK has a proven track record of uplifting survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking. We look forward to our partnership in seeking justice on behalf of our client Janel Grant.”

Janel Grant deserves to tell her own story in her own words

During Thursday’s call, Callis and Lamy fielded questions. Callis started the call by reiterating that Grant is a survivor of “incomprehensible abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking at the hands of Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE.” Grant is a smart woman who "now suffers from suicidal ideation and can't leave her home for weeks at a time."

When asked if any other WWE employees have come forward, Callis stated that there were some in the beginning. Since the lawsuit has been stayed as requested by the federal government, they haven’t heard from anyone else. Due to the other NDAs involving McMahon, they have reason to believe that there are others. Callis also confirmed that there was “some outreach in the beginning” from WWE. 

The lawsuit has been stayed until December 2024. Callis says that in the meantime, they are working to get communications between McMahon and Dr. Carlon Colker. Colker treated Grant at McMahon’s request, giving her unknown supplements and IV drips. They have a civil lawsuit as well and would like that to move forward quickly.

When asked if they were frustrated about the federal case taking so long, Callis said they are not. She is a former judge and knows how it all works. “I would rather them be right than fast.” If charges are coming, they hope they come “expeditiously.” They are unaware if the SDNY’s case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, in which he was charged with sex trafficking, will affect the case with McMahon. She said “it’s possible and she hopes so.” 

Grant is not involved in Mr. McMahon, the Netflix documentary. They did contact her about an interview, but nothing came to fruition. Callis explained several times that Grant would like to tell her own story, in her own way, in her own words and did not “want to be part of someone else’s story.” Callis also said that Grant deserves her day in court. 

Janel Grant is "not a storyline"

Tom Cole was a former WWE ring boy that was sexually abused by former ring announcer, Mel Phillips. His brother, Lee, interviewed another ring boy who was abused by Phillips. Lee asked what Grant might say or what Callis would say to people who asked why Grant continued to work for WWE if she was being abused. Callis says that Grant was a victim of abuse. She was coerced, human trafficked, and made to feel like she had no choice. Other WWE employees knew of her relationship with McMahon and “she was met with hostility.” 

Callis was asked about how Grant has been portrayed in the press. Callis reminded everyone that “Janel Grant is a human being. She deserves justice. She is a victim and  a survivor. She is not a storyline.” Several months ago, WWE did a storyline involving Liv Morgan and members of Judgment Day that were very similar to allegations in Grant’s lawsuit. It was disappointing and gross, but not surprising. Lamy also reminded everyone that “Janel is a victim and survivor of human trafficking just like the survivors in Sean Combs’s case.” 

Mr. McMahon is a six-part documentary that will air exclusively on Netflix on September 25, 2024. The documentary was announced in 2020, well before the deal to bring RAW to the platform next January. Since McMahon “retired” during the making of the documentary, the reasons leading to his exit are said to be included.