Jason Derulo Sued By Former Manager For Over $1 Million In Alleged Unpaid Commissions
By Kay on May 4, 2023 at 4:00 AM EDT
Updated on May 4, 2023 at 1:31 PM EDT
Jason Derulo's former manager claims that the singer owes him big time. He's holding the singer to their oral agreement.
Jason Derulo Screwed Over His Mentor
The "Talk Dirty" singer is being accused of not paying up his former manager Frank Harris. According to court docs obtained by The Blast, "Harris has served as Derulo's manager for approximately 23 years" until one day, he just wasn't.
He is responsible for "mentoring and advising Derulo, engineering his artistic style, career, and brand, and enabling him to attain global success. The docs go as far as to say Harris essentially functioned as the "CEO" of Derulo's life.
"Harris advised Derulo on, and participated in, every aspect of Derulo's career." More specifically, "Harris, among other things, represented Derulo's business interests, managed and protected his professional reputation, negotiated contracts on his behalf, planned shows and tours, created marketing and branding strategies, promoted Derulo's music, and assisted Derulo's artistic development."
The former manager also acted as somewhat of a father figure to Derulo, helping him manage his money and financial wealth. He "provided Derulo with financial, legal, and family guidance, helping Derulo navigate various personal and professional challenges."
Jason Derulo And Frank Harris Parted Ways
The legal docs claim, "On or about September 24, 2022, Derulo and Harris agreed to part ways." While he officially stopped being Derulo's manager, he claims that an oral agreement in 2014 is being reneged on.
The verbal agreement states:
"In or about January 2014, as the term of the 2009 Management Agreement expired, Derulo and Harris orally agreed that Harris would continue to act as Derulo's manager, performing the same services then being performed, on the same terms and conditions then existing under the 2009 Management Agreement, including Derulo's obligation to pay Harris a commission of 20 percent of any Gross Earnings received by Derulo during the parties' professional relationship, and to continue paying Harris, after the termination of the parties' professional relationship, 15 percent of Derulo's Gross Earnings derived from engagements, contracts, and agreements entered into or negotiated while the parties' professional relationship remained in effect (the "2014 Oral Agreement")."
Harris wants to know where his money at! The court docs claim:
"Derulo owes Harris approximately $1 million in revenue commissions." Furthermore, Harris wants anything "Derulo received for engagements, agreements, and contracts that were entered into while Harris was acting as Derulo's manager (the "Unpaid Commissions")."
Jason Derulo Is No Stranger To The Law
Unfortunately, every few years, the "Jiggle Jiggle" singer seems wrapped up in litigation. In Jan 2022, he was involved in an altercation in Las Vegas. He was accused of committing battery against two people at Aria Resort and Casino.
In 2017, he was accused of damaging a limo. He was hit with a $10,000 lawsuit because of it. He was 27 then so that grace can be given, but fans were provoked when he was accused of stealing a sample from a Polynesian TikTok musician.
He ended up giving credit where it was due, but Derulo had to be rebuked online for that to happen. However, it did save him from a lawsuit. When the artist Jawsh told Variety, he was in talks to sign off on the sample, but Derulo lost patience and moved forward anyway.
It's hard to stay mad at Derulo because he goes and does something like leaving a gigantic tip for a waiter that ends up paying his tuition for the school year. He doesn't seem to have a problem giving money away.