Robert De Niro's girlfriend Tiffany Chen testifies in partner's trial against ex-assistant in court
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Robert De Niro’s girlfriend Tiffany Chen made her appearance in the New York City courthouse on Thursday, November 2, 2023.
She testified on the fourth day of the star’s gender-discrimination trial and opened up about her relationship with the plaintiff, Graham Chase Robinson, De Niro's ex-assistant, reports People.
What did Chen say about Graham Chase Robinson?
Robinson is suing De Niro and his production company Canal Productions for violating New York City Human Rights Law.
Meanwhile, De Niro is also counter-suing her for improper spending and binge-watching TV during work hours.
On Robinson's claim that she had to do "whatever" De Niro asked of her, Chen said, “Within professional reasoning, yes. He would direct her and she would delegate to other people [who worked at Canal Productions].”
Chen met Robinson in 2018, and their text message was shown in court. In the texts, De Niro’s partner wrote, “Who the hell are you?!?! We need to repopulate the planet with your DNA…"
The messages further showed Chen saying, “You guys have such a great dynamic and chemistry it comes across so nicely in everything you two do together…. He speaks so glowingly of you and it’s nice to see that even his most complimentary moments have done you justice.”
Chen commented on those texts, claiming that they were “largely sarcastic” and intended to make peace.
“She was very strange from the beginning and always uncomfortable to be around. I was killing her with kindness,” she said.
Tiffany Chen thought Graham Robinson was a 'hot mess'
However, Chen claims that despite her best efforts, Robinson was “mean-spirited and b***hy" during her employment. “She was a hot mess. Her schedule was off all the time.”
Chen claimed it was Robinson’s choice to get involved in De Niro’s personal shopping. “She wanted to be everywhere with him shopping, so she came with when he said, ‘Let’s go pick out plants,’” Chen said. “She volunteered [to help him shop for gifts] on her own.”
On being asked about text messages she had sent De Niro about Robinson having a “demented imaginary intimacy,” and "thinking she’s [De Niro’s wife],” Chen doubled down, claiming, “I think that’s what she was striving to be…. She’s crazy.”
“She was attached to the control she felt she had in this dynamic…. If her fantasy is going to infringe on my personal life and she was in the office, of course I’m going to [acknowledge the behavior]. It’s too weird.”
