Topline Singer Emaza Gibson filed a lawsuit against Jason Derulo on Thursday, alleging the R&B megastar expected sex from her after she signed a contract with him as part of an alleged quid-pro-quo arrangement.
Jason Derulo attends the 2019 Global Citizen Prize at the Royal Albert Hall on December 13, 2019 in … [+] London, England. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
Getty Images for Global Citizen Key Facts The lawsuit alleges that after Gibson and Derulo signed a 2021 contract to create music together as well as to release Gibson’s solo music on Derulo’s imprint with Atlantic Records, Derulo continually pressured Gibson to go to bars with him and drink during work, but she objected.
One day, Derulo allegedly responded to Gibson’s rejection by telling her she might have to take part in “goat skin and fish scales,” an apparent reference to cocaine and a sex act involving drugs, goats and blood, which she interpreted as an “explicit demand for sex-in-exchange-for-success.”
The lawsuit also alleges Derulo became aggressive after Gibson’s rejection on a number of occasions, when he yelled and charged at her, and it alleges Derulo failed in his obligations to assist Gibson with her music production after the rejection—she was dropped from Atlantic Records in September 2022.
It also describes Gibson’s interactions with another woman who told her she’d only been invited because Derulo was trying to have sex with her, further reinforcing her belief that he was attempting to trade sex for career advancement.
In the lawsuit, Gibson accuses Derulo—as well as his manager Frank Harris, Atlantic Records and its various business entities—of quid-pro-quo sexual harassment, failure to prevent or remedy harassment, breach of contract, illegal retaliation and intimidation and violence.
Forbes has reached out to multiple representatives of Derulo for comment.
Tangent The suit—filed in Los Angeles state court—asks for unspecified damages, including back wages and pay for emotional distress.
Crucial Quote „I’m at this point in my life right now, it’s very heartbreaking,” Gibson told NBC News, which first reported the lawsuit. “I have anxiety; I’m traumatized. I’ve dealt with inhumane work situations.”
Key Background Gibson, 25, and her sisters moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to pursue careers in music, NBC News reported. They formed the musical act Ceraadi and created a YouTube channel that has more than 1.2 million subscribers. After her sisters decided to quit pursuing music as a career, Gibson continued as a solo act. Derulo reached out to Gibson in 2021 to inquire about the joint venture between the two of them. Derulo, 34, began his solo career in 2009 and has released several massive international hits such as “Talk Dirty,” „Ridin‘ Solo“ and „Whatcha Say.“ Derulo has been accused of misconduct before. In January 2022, Las Vegas police said he committed battery against two people during an altercation at the Aria resort and casino, though neither alleged victim pressed charges.
Further Reading Jason Derulo signed hopeful singer to a deal and then expected sex, she alleges in lawsuit (NBC News)
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