Jason Derulo "Deeply Offended" by "Defamatory Claims" in Emaza Gibson's Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
Jason Derulo is slamming allegations brought against him in a new lawsuit.
In a video posted to social media, the singer addressed the lawsuit Emaza Gibson filed accusing him of dropping her record deal after she rejected his sexual advances—with him emphatically denying any wrongdoing.
"I wouldn't normally comment but these claims are completely false and hurtful," Derulo said in a video posted to Instagram Oct. 5. "I stand against all forms of harassment, and I remain supportive of anybody following their dreams. I've always strived to live my life in a positively impactful way, and that's why I sit here before you deeply offended by these defamatory claims. God bless."
His statement comes hours after Gibson filed the lawsuit against him as well as his Future History label and Atlantic Records in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
In the filing, she says that the "Whatcha Say" artist contacted her about a joint venture between Atlantic Records, which he's signed to, and Future History in August 2021. As part of the deal, Gibson would work closely with Derulo on a mixtape, an album and a single.
Gibson noted in the lawsuit that she agreed but that things didn't go as she'd expected.
"While recording music, Derulo informed Plaintiff that if she wanted to be successful in the ‘this business' (aka, the music industry), Plaintiff would be required to partake in 'goat skin and fish scales,' which is a Haitian reference referring to conducting sex rituals, sacrificing a goat, goat blood and doing cocaine," the lawsuit states. "The manner and timing of such a statement meant that Derulo was demanding sexual acts from Plaintiff in order for Derulo to fulfill his role as her mentor, supervisor and musical collaborator. This explicit demand for sex-in-exchange-for-success was reinforced through Derulo's subsequent behavior."
Gibson said in the lawsuit that Derulo often scheduled late-night recording sessions and that he "constantly pressured" her to drink despite her expressing she's not a drinker. She further noted in the lawsuit that they met with Atlantic executives in November 2021 to discuss her career and that Derulo told her "minutes before" the appointment that they'd be joined by a woman named Rosa. Gibson alleged that when they were left alone, Rosa said Derulo invited her because he was "trying to be 'on some f--k s--t' with her and have sex.
According to the lawsuit, Derulo's manager Frank Harris—who is also listed among the defendants—later asked Gibson how the meeting went, and she told him she was "thrown off guard" by Rosa's attendance.
"Derulo immediately lost control," the lawsuit states, "and began aggressively hitting his arm rests screaming, ‘What does she have to do with you!? We weren't going to tell you anything! We don't have to tell you anything!'"
Gibson said in the lawsuit that Derulo went "radio silent" on her inquiries after the New York trip but that they did meet at his Malibu residence in June 2022 during which she asked him about her budget for her music but was told she was "worried about the wrong things." Gibson alleged they met days later for a recording session but that Derulo "charged at" her after she was an hour late due to traffic.
Her employment with Atlantic Records and Future History was terminated in September 2022, she noted in the lawsuit, and "no one has ever reached out over Derulo's sexually, emotionally and physically inappropriate behavior towards her."
According to the lawsuit, Gibson is suing for quid pro quo sexual harassment, failure to prevent and/or remedy harassment, retaliation in violation of FEHA, sexual harassment in violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act, intimidation and violence in violation of the Ralph Civil Rights Act, breach of contract and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. She is seeking unpaid wages, loss of earnings, deferred compensation, other employment benefits as well as damages including for emotional distress.
E! News has reached out to Derulo, Future History and Atlantic Records for comment but has yet to hear back.
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