Michele Evans News & Advocacy

Sometimes when people Google your name, they only see fragments. 🤷‍♀️🙄👀

But the fuller story is this:

I’ve been covered by The New York Times, The Times of London, Gothamist/WNYC, The Sun, and other outlets for my writing, my experience at Rikers, my book Rikers Island: Criminalized Survivor, my advocacy around the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, and my work as a 2024 Rikers Narrative Change Community Fellow in sculpture.

I am not just a headline.

I am a writer.

I am an artist.

I am a filmmaker.

I am a survivor.

I am a public witness to systems most people only read about.

My work has moved through courtrooms, jail dorms, books, newspapers, film, sculpture, and survivor advocacy — and I’m still here, still creating, still telling the truth.

Don’t reduce me to one headline. The record is bigger than that.

Links below  🗞️📚🎬🗽⚖️🎨

Major Media & Credibility Coverage

1. Gothamist / WNYC — “NY prosecutors undermining state law that protects domestic violence survivors in court”. Current DVSJA/survivor-justice article quoting me. (Domestic Violence Survivors Act)
2. The Times of London — “Creative Rikers Island inmates writing books to pass the time”. Mentions my Rikers Island experience and book. (Creative Inmates Writing Books)
3. The New York Times — “How a Notorious Jail Became a Literary Hotbed”. Article about how Rikers Island became a literary hotbed. (Rikers - Literary Hotbed)
4. The New York Times opinion — “I Got Covid at Rikers. I’m Still Suffering”.  Op-Ed about my time in Rikers Island when Covid hit New York (Covid in Rikers)
5. Hour Children repost/link — “I Got Covid at Rikers. I’m Still Suffering”.  Useful secondary link for the NYT Covid/Rikers essay if NYT itself is paywalled or hard to surface. (Repost - Covid In Rikers)

*Gothamist/WNYC’s Rikers Island reporting has been recognized as a 2025 Pulitzer Prize finalist.

Rikers / art / sculpture / exhibition coverage

1. Weeksville Heritage Center — “Torture Island: Past, Present, Future”. Lists my exhibit, "Whispers Unfinished" among the Narrative Change Community Fellows Exhibitions. (Weeksville)
2. Prism — “Exhibit on Rikers Island history provides deeper insights into jail’s impact”
   Prism covers the Rikers Public Memory Project’s “Torture Island: Past, Present, Future” exhibition at Weeksville Heritage Center and lists visual artist Michele Evans among the 2024 Narrative Change Community Fellows whose work was featured in the exhibition.  (Prism)
3. New York Almanack — “Riker’s Island Exhibit Explores ‘Torture Island’s’ Past, Present, Future”. Covers the Weeksville/Rikers Public Memory Project exhibition and lists me as a sculpture fellow. (New York Almanack)
4. Rikers Public Memory Project — About / Fellows page. Lists me as the Sculpture Cohort. (A Community Truth and Healing Process)
5. Rikers Public Memory Project Instagram — sculpture reel  References me saying I am a Rikers Public Memory Project fellow and working on a sculpture called “Whispers Unfinished” using clay, metal, and chains. (Instagram)
6. Note (Japan) — “Whispers Unfinished” / Rikers Public Memory Project.  Japanese arts and oral-history feature showcasing photographs of Michele Evans’s sculpture work, where clay, chains, and fragmented forms transform incarceration, memory, and survival into visual testimony. (Japan)

Rikers Island/ jail condition coverage

1. The U.S. Sun — “Battered Naked in Shower, Gut-Wrenching Deaths & the ‘Murder Dorm’… Life Inside America’s Most Notorious Jail”.  Features Michele Evans discussing trauma experienced at Rikers Island and the lasting psychological impact of incarceration amid broader reporting on violence and conditions inside the jail system. (The Sun)
2. The UK Sun — “Rikers Prison Hell”. UK version/result references me describing Rikers as “hell on Earth.” (The UK Sun)
3. Santa Clara University — “Compassionate Release: An ‘Extraordinary and Compelling Problem’”.  Cites Michele Evans’s New York Times piece, “I Got Covid At Rikers. I’m Still Suffering,” and uses her observations from Rikers to discuss COVID, social distancing, guards refusing masks, dorm crowding, and the need for compassionate release reform.  (Santa Clara)
4. University of Haifa / Minerva Center — Coronavirus media archive.  Lists my NYT piece under COVID/prison reporting: “What happened in prisons during this pandemic is criminal.”  (Haifa)
5. Cleveland State Law Review / Journal of Law & Health — “Parens Patriae, Punishment, and Pandemics”.  Cites Michele Evans’s New York Times essay, “I Got COVID at Rikers. I’m Still Suffering,” in a legal scholarship article discussing punishment, public health, and pandemic conditions in carceral settings. (Cleveland)
6. Human Rights Watch / Criminal Justice COVID Report — References Michele Evans’s New York Times essay, “I Got COVID at Rikers. I’m Still Suffering,” alongside reporting from The Marshall Project and other major criminal-justice sources documenting dangerous pandemic conditions inside U.S. jails and prisons. (Human Rights)
7. LADbible — “Inmates at ‘hell on earth’ prison speak out”. UK-based media referencing Michele Evans’s Rikers experience, including the domestic-violence context and “hell on Earth” framing. (LADbible)
8. Azor-El v. City of New York — Federal Litigation Filing.  Cites Michele Evans’s New York Times essay, “I Got COVID at Rikers. I’m Still Suffering,” as part of federal litigation concerning COVID-era conditions at Rikers Island, including the serious medical consequences experienced by incarcerated people during the pandemic. (Azor-El)
9. The Marshall Project — “Michele Evans” Record.  Curates criminal-justice reporting involving Michele Evans, including the new Gothamist/WNYC DVSJA article, and categorizes the record under Domestic Violence, New York, Brooklyn, District Attorneys, and Assault. (Marshall)
10. LA Reentry — News Archive. Reposts/indexes Michele Evans’s New York Times essay, “I Got Covid at Rikers. I’m Still Suffering,” preserving it within a reentry and criminal-justice reform resource archive. (Reentry)
11. The Scottish Sun — International coverage/mirror of the Rikers Island article featuring Michele Evans discussing trauma, domestic violence, and conditions at Rikers Island. (Scottish)
12. La Stampa / Tuttolibri — “Rikers Island, il penitenziario dove si scrive per non morire”. Italian literary coverage mentioning Michele Evans as an author of several Rikers-set romances, including one inspired by her real-life story involving a correction officer, showing European literary/media reach. (La Stampa)
13. The Irish Sun — “Rikers Prison Hell”.   Irish edition/mirror of the Rikers article featuring Michele Evans describing trauma, domestic violence context, and conditions inside Rikers Island, showing the story’s reach into Irish media. (Irish)
14. Popular Timelines — Rikers Island Timeline.  Includes Michele Evans’s New York Times essay in a public historical timeline of Rikers Island, noting that her February 2021 article criticized Rikers Island’s handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. (Popular Times)
15. University of Michigan — DCC COVID-19 Resources.   Includes Michele Evans’s NYT essay, “I Got COVID at Rikers. I’m Still Suffering,” in a COVID/resource archive alongside criminal-justice and incarcerated-women materials. (Michigan)
16. Gladiator School: What 18 Months on Rikers Island Can Do to a Person — A powerful look at the psychological, emotional, and physical toll of surviving 18 months inside Rikers Island. (Gladiator)

New York City Council Testimony — Conditions at Rikers Island

Advocacy - Michele Evans testified before the New York City Council’s Committee on Criminal Justice jointly with the Committee on Women and Gender Equity about her incarceration at Rikers Island from January 2019 through June 2020. Her testimony described filthy conditions, cockroaches, rats, overcrowded holding cells, and the lasting impact of what she experienced there. (Transcript)

New York City Council — Committee on Criminal Justice jointly with Committee on Women and Gender Equity

Hearing date: April 27, 2021

Subject: Women’s experiences in New York City jails / Rikers conditions

My testimony begins around page 136 of the transcript. Counsel says, “Next, we’ll hear from Michele Evans,” and then I testify:

“I’m Michele Evans and I was incarcerated in Rikers from the beginning of January 2019 until June of 2020. What I experienced there won’t leave me.”

I then describe cockroaches, rats, filthy conditions, working in the mess hall killing cockroaches, and overcrowded Manhattan Supreme Court holding cells where people had to lie on the floor.

Shannon Sharpe / litigation coverage

1. People — “Another Woman Accuses Shannon Sharpe of Sex Assault in Defamation Lawsuit”. Major mainstream entertainment outlet. (People.com)
2. Page Six — “Shannon Sharpe accused of raping second woman…”. Covers my 2023 suit and allegations (Page Six)
3. The U.S. Sun — “Shannon Sharpe’s ex Michele Evans ‘is praying’ for his latest rape accuser…”. Covers my reaction to the Jane Doe case. (The Sun)
4. The U.S. Sun — “Shannon Sharpe judge demands ESPN star and OnlyFans model accuser ‘do not destroy’ sex tape evidence…”. Covers my preservation request. (The Sun)
5. Daily Mail — “Shannon Sharpe is accused of raping a second woman in new lawsuit.” Covers my allegations, prior protective-order history, and related defamation litigation involving Shannon Sharpe. (Daily Mail)
6. The U.S. Sun — “Shannon Sharpe has a love child he’s kept secret…”. Covers my allegations/arguments in the broader litigation context. (The Sun)
7. Media Take Out — “Shannon Sharpe Sued AGAIN, By Redhead Ex Who Claimed He SA’d HER!”.   Covers Michele Evans’s new defamation lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe, focusing on the allegedly false “killer” statement, reputational harm, defamation per se, and the broader legal fallout surrounding Sharpe. (Media Take Out)
8. Complex — “Shannon Sharpe Accuser Says He Threatened to ‘Destroy’ Her After Alleged 2010 Sexual Assault”.  Covered Michele Evans’s allegations against Shannon Sharpe, including her claim that he threatened to “destroy” her after the alleged 2010 sexual assault, adding national entertainment-media attention to the case. (Complex)
9. TMSPN — “Shannon Sharpe Faces New Allegations From Michele Evans Amid Fallout from Fox Sports Controversies”. Covered Michele Evans’s allegations against Shannon Sharpe amid the broader fallout from Fox Sports controversies, placing her lawsuit within a larger conversation about power, accountability, and media figures facing public scrutiny.  (TMSPN)
10. The U.S. Sun — Jane Doe settlement update / my reaction. Mentions my criticism after the settlement of the $50M lawsuit. (The Sun)
11. AllHipHop — “EXCLUSIVE: Shannon Sharpe Accused Of Ruining Woman’s Life & Causing Agoraphobia”  Covers my April 2026 defamation suit. (AllHipHop)
12. AllHipHop — “New Lawsuit Against Shannon Sharpe Could Derail Dream To Come Back To ESPN”. Covers my newer lawsuit as former ESPN producer. (AllHipHop)
13. RadarOnline — “Shannon Sharpe Sued Again as Former ESPN Producer…”  Covers the newer lawsuits and identifies me as a former ESPN producer. (Radar Online)
14. ClutchPoints — “Shannon Sharpe hit with another allegation from ex-girlfriend”.  ClutchPoints covered the renewed controversy after my 2023 lawsuit came to light.  (Clutch Points)
15. RadarOnline — “I’m Shannon Sharpe’s Ex-Girlfriend: He Did the Same to Me…”  Covers my comments comparing my allegations to the later Jane Doe allegations. (Radar Online)
16. RadarOnline — Article mentioning my claim within broader Sharpe lawsuit coverage. Additional Radar result that references me in the broader context of Sharpe’s legal issues. (Radar Online)
17. Feast Magazine (UK) — “Shannon Sharpe Ex-Girlfriend Breaks Silence…”  British culture magazine examining the legal and reputational fallout surrounding Shannon Sharpe while highlighting Michele Evans’s allegations, litigation, and public statements. Feast Magazine article. (Feast)
18. The Shade Room — “Woman Behind 2023 Defamation Lawsuit Against Shannon Sharpe Recalls Alleged Assault In New Interview”. Entertainment/social-media coverage of my interview. (The Shade Room)
19. The Shade Room — “Woman Suing Shannon Sharpe For Defamation Reacts To Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Him”. Covers my reaction to the Gabriella/Jane Doe lawsuit. (The Shade Room)
20. Courthouse News — “Shannon Sharpe accused of sexual assault and battery in $50 million lawsuit”  Mentions my 2023 suit in context of the later lawsuit. (Courthouse News)
21. Yahoo / AOL syndication  — Syndicated on Yahoo/AOL too, widening reach. (Yahoo!)
22. HotNewHipHop — “Shannon Sharpe Sued By Former ESPN Producer For Alleged Sexual Assault”.  Covers the newer lawsuit and cites Radar reporting. (HotNewHipHop)
23. Times of India — coverage referencing my comments/claims Times of India pieces in Sharpe-related coverage. (The Times of India)
24. The Urban Spotlight — “Shannon Sharpe Menaced Me with Death Threats”.  Covers Michele Evans’s allegations against Shannon Sharpe, including claims of threats, retaliation, doxing/intimidation, related litigation, and the domestic-violence survivor context surrounding her later incarceration. (Urban)
25. Denver Post — “Sharpe to take leave of absence from CBS.” Reports that Shannon Sharpe stepped away from CBS Sports after a temporary protective/restraining order was filed by Michele Bundy. (Denver Post)
26. CBS News — “Shannon Sharpe Accused of Sexual Assault.” Reports that Michele Bundy filed a temporary restraining order against Shannon Sharpe and that Sharpe stepped aside from The NFL Today.  (CBS Protective Order)
27. AdWeek/TVNewser — “Shannon Sharpe Appears on CBS Pregame Despite Potential Legal Trouble.” Covers Sharpe’s CBS appearance and the public reporting around the pending legal matter involving Michele Bundy. (AdWeek)
28. New York Daily News — “Shannon Sharpe takes leave of absence from CBS after Michele Bundy alleges sex assault.” Reports on Sharpe taking leave from CBS after Michele Bundy alleged sexual assault and sought protective-order relief. (NY Daily News)
29. TMZ — “Former NFL Star Shannon Sharpe’s Accuser: We Dated for Years.” TMZ reports that Michele Bundy described a years-long relationship with Sharpe. (TMZ)
30. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel archive — “Sharpe takes leave from ‘NFL Today’” Michele Bundy petitioned a judge in Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta for a protective order, and that the petition alleged forced sex, threats, and stalking. (Jsonline Archive)
31. Bleacher Report — “Shannon Sharpe and Other Shocking Falls From Grace…” Sharpe resigned/took leave from CBS’s NFL Today after sexual-assault allegations by Michele Bundy. (Bleacher Report)
32. Westword — Sept. 2010 “Shannon Sharpe takes leave from CBS due to restraining order: See documents here” Denver-based coverage specifically tying the CBS leave to the restraining/protective order. (Westword)
33. Georgia Daily News — “Report: Family Violence Restraining Order Filed Against Shannon Sharpe.” Legacy protective-order coverage. (Georgia Daily News)
34. FindLaw — “Michele Bundy Files Restraining Order Against Shannon Sharpe.” Legal coverage stating that Michele Bundy was granted a temporary restraining order in Fulton County Superior Court under the category of “family violence,” and explaining the legal purpose of temporary restraining orders in domestic-violence matters. (Find Law)
35. TheGrio — “Restraining order filed against NFL great Shannon Sharpe”. TheGrio covered the 2010 restraining-order filing,  stating that the petition was classified as “Family Violence” and listed as filed. (The Grio)
36. Deadspin — “Is CBS Letting Shannon Sharpe’s Domestic Violence Case Slide?”
    Covered the 2010 situation and reported that Michele Bundy had been granted a temporary restraining order against Sharpe in Atlanta court, with the matter classified as family-violence. (Deadspin)
37. Sports Business Journal — “Sharpe To Take Leave Of Absence From CBS Over Legal Matter”.  Reported that Shannon Sharpe stepped aside from The NFL Today after being served with a temporary restraining order based on a petition by Michele Bundy. (Sports Business Journal)
38. SB Nation — “Shannon Sharpe Accused Of Sexual Assault, Takes Leave Of Absence From CBS”.  Reported that Michele Bundy accused Sharpe of sexual assault and that Fulton County Superior Court had granted a temporary restraining order under the category of family violence. (SB Nation)
39. TV Guide — “Report: Shannon Sharpe Accused of Sexual Assault”. Covered Sharpe stepping away from CBS Sports after Michele Bundy filed a temporary restraining order and alleged forced sex and threats. (TV Guide)
40. Newstalk 1490 / WERE-AM — “Shannon Sharpe Accused Of Sexual Assault”.  This Cleveland/Radio One outlet covered the 2010 matter, stating that Fulton County Superior Court granted a temporary restraining order after a petition filed by Michele Bundy under the category of family violence. (Newstalk)

* Some older protective-order coverage appears under my former name, Michele Bundy.

Beyond the Headlines:

Rocky Mountain News — “Actress’ road to dream TV gig with Robin Williams had twists”.  2008 profile of Michele Bundy’s path from software engineering and sports reporting to building Tiger Woods’s website, working as an ESPN technical producer, and appearing with Robin Williams on Law & Order: SVU.  (SVU)

Reporter Highlight Reel — Michele Evans
Before becoming the subject of major media coverage, Michele Evans worked in media herself. This reel highlights her reporting, interviews, production background, and storytelling work across journalism and sports media. (Highlight Reel)

A Walk to the Park — Short Film directed by Michele Evans and describes it as a short about a criminalized survivor of domestic violence recalling the events that led to incarceration. (Park)

Jimi Jamison — When Love Comes Down (1991).  Credits Michele Bundy as an assistant engineer on Jimi Jamison’s debut solo album after his time as lead singer of Survivor; songs from the album were later featured on Baywatch, connecting the credit to early-1990s rock, recording production, and television soundtrack history.  (Wikipedia album credits) • (Discogs release credits)

Skip Saylor Recording — was part of the soundtrack of the 1990s. I worked at this Los Angeles studio during the era when credits connected to major releases — including the Baywatch soundtrack featuring Jimi Jamison’s iconic theme “I’m Always Here” — were being made. (Skip)

Studio Sound Recorders — wasn't just another studio,  it was part of the Los Angeles recording ecosystem where serious names came through the door. I worked there during my music-industry years, and the studio’s documented credits include artists such as Smokey Robinson, Clint Black, New Edition, Tiffany etc. (Studio)

Stevie B — Healing (1992) — Recorded in part at Studio Sound Recorders, where Michele Bundy worked during the early 1990s; the album’s creation was a fun experience for  Michele Bundy, cementing her connection to the Los Angeles recording studio scene during that period. (Stevie)

W.A.S.P. / The Crimson Idol — “Woman’s Heart: Deep Ocean of Secrets” — Published book by Michele Evans reflecting on the lifelong influence of W.A.S.P.’s The Crimson Idol, the people behind the album, and its connection to her own creative work, relationships, and memoir writing. The book includes personal acknowledgements to Stet Howland, Mikey Davis, Blackie Lawless, and others connected to the album’s legacy and recording-world history.  (Crimson Idol)

Profiles / indexed pages

1. Amazon — Michele Evans Author Profile.  Book listings. (Amazon)
2. IMDb — Michele Evans Lists my film and writing credits. (IMDb)
3. The Black List — Michele Evans Profile Screenwriting and creative projects. (Blcklst)