Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Star Of Viral Catcalling Video Is Reportedly Suing For Compensation
By
Emma Whitford
Published Jul 14, 2015
Modified Jul 14, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Emma Whitford
Published Jul 14, 2015
Modified Jul 14, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Shoshana Roberts, the woman who appeared in a viral video that showed her being subjected to incessant catcalls over the course of 10 hours walking around New York City, is reportedly suing both anti-street-harassment group Hollaback! and video director Rob Bliss, on the grounds that both parties used her likeness to "promote their agenda."
"10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman" has received more than 40 million views to date. Reached by e-mail, a spokeswoman for Hollaback! said that while Bliss published the video on a personal YouTube channel, he "asked if he could put a call to donate to Hollaback! at the end of the video to raise awareness about street harassment."
According to Hollaback!, this was the extent of the collaboration between nonprofit and director.
Last fall, Hollaback! stated that Roberts "volunteered to be the subject" in the video. After it went viral, she was subjected to numerous rape threats.
TMZ reports that Roberts is suing for at least $500,000. Her lawyer Kevin Goering told the tabloid that Roberts, who reportedly did not have a written agreement with Bliss, didn't get "everything she was promised" after the video went viral. According to TMZ, Roberts is also suing Google, YouTube, and T.G.I. Friday's for an undisclosed amount. The fast food chain played off of 10 Hours in a notably tone-deaf ad back in March:
The Hollaback! spokeswoman added via e-mail that, "We haven't been served and don't have any information about this case, or further comment at this time." Bliss, also, had no comment. We have also reached out to Roberts's lawyer, and will update with any additional information.
This is not the first time parties have clashed over 10 Hours, which many viewers have claimed was edited to reflect racial bias. Two days after the video was published last October, Hollaback! issued a statement distancing itself from Bliss's company. According to Hollaback!:
"We are grateful for his [Bliss's] work and the wide reach that this video has achieved but we feel the need to directly address other responses to the video. We regret the unintended racial bias in the editing of the video that over represents men of color."
In response, Bliss told us that "demographics of NYC have to be considered" and that "a video where whites are in the minority, and blacks/hispanics make up the majority isn't even that strange from a statistical demographic standpoint."
Tagged
catcalling
rob bliss
Shoshana Roberts
street harassment
Emma Whitford
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
2 men accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD detective in the Bronx plead not guilty
Sneider Mejia and D’Angelo Caraballo are both facing several charges, including attempted first-degree murder.
By
Charles Lane
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 2:40 p.m. ET
Man who pushed his baby and her mother from a Bronx balcony arraigned from psych ward
Angel Carrasco, who shoved his infant daughter and her mother from a 15th floor balcony, appeared virtually in Bronx criminal court.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Man who pushed his baby and her mother from a Bronx balcony arraigned from psych ward
Angel Carrasco, who shoved his infant daughter and her mother from a 15th floor balcony, appeared virtually in Bronx criminal court.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NYC looks to grow involvement in Open Streets as applications open for 2027
By
Catalina Gonella
New Yorkers are paying $300 million for natural gas they don't even use
By
Rosemary Misdary
Early Addition: Eric Adams did not convince a Wisconsin town to build a data center
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .