Falling In Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke has reportedly been named in a defamation lawsuit brought by celebrity chef and Superhumn CEO Jade Cheng, stemming from a rental dispute over a Hollywood Hills mansion. The suit reportedly accuses Radke of making false and damaging statements about Cheng on social media, with claims that include libel, slander and emotional distress.
According to Yahoo, Cheng's defamation claim centers on four categories of accusation Radke allegedly leveled at her, including statements involving chlamydia, sex work or criminal conduct, and claims that she took money from him. The dispute reportedly traces back to a lease Cheng's company, Superhumn Properties LLC, entered into with Radke in February for what's been described as a $3 million Hollywood Hills mansion.
Radke has reportedly accused Cheng of improperly taking roughly $220,000 connected to the rental, though a separate characterization of the figure put the amount closer to $200,000. Cheng disputes that accusation. Per Chaoszine, the case was reported by Lambgoat citing the New York Post and California Post, and Cheng's lawsuit alleges that Radke made false statements about her personal life and conduct — including accusations of criminal wrongdoing that have not been established as facts.
Videos, Threats, and an Unresolved Mess
Radke allegedly used threatening language toward Cheng in videos and social media posts, according to Chaoszine's reporting. Footage reportedly also showed Radke criticizing the condition of the rental property, including trash visible in the clips — though the outlet's report notes it was unclear how the trash got there or whether Cheng was responsible for it, and original reporting could not determine who was at fault for the conditions shown.
Cheng is reportedly seeking an unspecified amount in general and compensatory damages, the same account notes. As of initial reports, Radke and his legal representatives had not publicly responded to the lawsuit, though the station's report says Radke was contacted for comment.
What the Law Actually Says
California law draws a technical line between the two claims at the heart of Cheng's suit. Under California Civil Code Section 45, libel is defined as a false and unprivileged publication by writing, printing, picture, effigy or another fixed representation to the eye. Slander, meanwhile, is defined under California Civil Code Section 46 as a false and unprivileged oral publication, a definition that also extends to communications made by radio or other mechanical means. Neither statute's excerpt resolves how the law would apply to Cheng's specific claims, and no court finding or adjudication of the allegations has been verified. The case remains unresolved based on information currently available.
The dispute has already stirred reaction online. A post on Reddit's r/punk forum read, “Y'all should be aware of what Ronnie Radke of Falling in Reverse is doing to a woman owned business,” reflecting the kind of fan-community chatter the r/punk thread captured.
Radke's Band and Its Chart History
Radke is the sole founding member of Falling In Reverse, a band he formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2008 under the original name From Behind These Walls. The group, which now includes Radke alongside Christian Thompson, Marc Okubo, Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz and Luke Holland, records for Epitaph Records.
The band's 2011 debut album, “The Drug in Me Is You,” entered the Billboard 200 at No. 19 and sold 18,000 copies in its first week, later earning RIAA gold certification in December 2019. Falling In Reverse went on to release “Fashionably Late” in 2013, which reached No. 17 on the charts, followed by “Just Like You” in February 2015, “Coming Home” in 2017, and “Popular Monster” in August 2024.
