Selena Gomez and her mother, Mandy Teefey, are the targets of a lawsuit.
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Wondermind SRS 44 LLC and Bespoke Wondermind LLC filed the lawsuit against the former Disney star and Teefey today, Aug. 13, in federal court in Delaware. As reported by Page Six, Wondermind Global and former business partner Daniella Pierson are also named as defendants.
Why Is Selena Gomez and Her Mother Being Sued?
The plaintiffs allege they invested $1.2 million in Wondermind in 2022. They claim Gomez and the other defendants "falsely represented" that the mental health company founded by the actress and her mother, "had the infrastructure, leadership, and resources necessary for the company to launch into a profitable, one-of-its-kind mental health and wellness platform."
The 34-year-old Gomez was singled out in the suit. She is being accused of "ignoring" her contractual obligation to "actively build the company as its head of marketing." She was expected to promote Wondermind through her social media presence, advertising partnerships, and television appearances.
"The partnerships did not exist. The initiatives never materialized. The app was never built," the suit alleges.
The Suit Alleges That Gomez and Her Mom Hid From Investors
The suit further alleges that the company founded by Gomez and her mother "collapsed" for three years. The defendants then concealed this information from investors.
Investors claim they were unaware of Wondermind's difficulties until an article published late last year. It also described the company as being in "utter financial and operational disarray."
The article in The Cut alleges that Gomez's mother has had a "long-running substance abuse problem." This reportedly affected her ability to manage Wondermind.
A staff member quoted in the article claims they saw Teefey snort "what they believe was a line of Ritalin" in her office. However, Teefey denies these allegations in a statement to TMZ.
She says, "It's unfortunate that a few disgruntled employees with an ax to grind can spread lies about me and distort the truth. Even more disappointing that the media is willing to amplify their lies."
The suit also alleges that Gomez and Teefey have a troubled relationship. It states that Gomez distanced herself from her mother and was aware their conflict would make Wondermind "impracticable."
Investors are suing for securities fraud are seeking a jury trial. They are seeking a return of their investments in Wondermind. They also want to be compensated for additional damages, costs, and attorney's fees.
