Singer Ariana Grande has filed a $10 million lawsuit against clothing retailer Forever 21 and a related beauty company, claiming that they misappropriated her name, image, and likeness to promote their products following failed endorsement deal talks between Grande and Forever 21. Grande claims that after she declined to enter into the deal due to an insufficient financial offer, Forever 21 and beauty company Riley Rose hired a lookalike model and launched a social media campaign intended to coincide with the release of her fifth album.
In the lawsuit, Grande alleges that the companies used at least 30 images and videos without permission in an effort to deceive customers into believing that she endorsed them. Her lawsuit seeks a jury trial to determine actual damages, punitive damages, and disgorgement of the money the defendants obtained due to their alleged trademark and copyright violations.
Additional Reading
Ariana Grande sues Forever 21 over failed deal and lookalike model, The Los Angeles Times, September 3, 2019
Complaint, Grande-Butera et al. v. Forever 21 Inc. et al., filed September 2, 2019
Photo credit: Shutterstock.com / Tashatuvango