Florida singer and songwriter Jason Derulo has been sued by one of his co-workers for sexual harassment in the workplace. The new lawsuit was filed against the musician on October 5th, demanding reparations.
The plaintiff, Emaza Gibson, is a singer who worked alongside Derulo as a backup vocalist and songwriter. However, she has now come forward against the Talk Dirty artist (real name Jason Desrouleaux), alleging that he violated California’s Civil Rights Act by sexually harassing her on a quid pro quo basis, promising career advancement.
Gibson’s lawsuit also addresses retaliation, breach of contract, and a failure to remedy the workplace harassment of Gibson, who is now seeking a jury trial. Moreover, the court document obtained by NBC highlights an event where Derulo allegedly violently charged at her.
Speaking with NBC News, Gibson stated, “I’m at this point in my life right now. It’s very heartbreaking. I have anxiety. I’m traumatized. I’ve dealt with inhumane work situations. I’m at this point where I’m back to zero, and I have nothing.”
After her days as a backup singer for Derulo in 2021, Derulo reached out to Gibson, promising her a solo record deal on his label, Future History. However, Desrouleaux began pressuring Gibson to drink with him in the studio and persistently invited her to dinner. Despite Gibson’s rejections, the lawsuit insists that the ‘Whatcha Say’ vocalist eluded to an “explicit demand for sex-in-exchange-for-success.”
The lawsuit filed in California demands unpaid wages, loss of earnings, deferred compensation, further emotional distress damages, and employment benefits. Although the case has only been filed recently, the document unveils that Gibson’s Atlantic Records contract was terminated in September of last year.
Gibson’s lawyer Ron Zambrano shared in a statement with NBC: “[Derulo’s] threats of physical harm and unconscionable sexual advances toward this young woman who is just trying to break into the industry were outrageous and illegal.”
