As if, fast-fashion giant, Forever21 wasn’t going doing already, with the filing for bankruptcy and a possible chance of falling out of business, the brand is surrounded by a new controversy, which might just shelve it for good.
International pop star, Ariana Grande has filed a lawsuit against Forever 21 and has claimed damages of at least $10 million in damage for using a model who looks strikingly similar to Grande for a social media campaign.
The complaint filed in the California federal court says Forver21 had contacted Grande’s representatives in anticipation for her latest album, —
thank u, next — for striking an endorsement deal.
"Notably, the endorsement deal Forever 21 sought with Ms. Grande centered around social media marketing, including, but not limited to, Twitter posts, Instagram posts, and Instagram stories."
In the complain, Grande adds the market value of even a single Instagram post from her is "well into the six figures," says negotiations commenced but that deal "never came to fruition because the amounts that Forever 21 offered to pay for the right to use Ms. Grande’s name and likeness were insufficient for an artist of her stature."
"Rather than pay for that right as the law requires, Defendants simply stole it by launching a misleading campaign across its website and social media platforms primarily in January and February 2019," continues the complaint. "The campaign capitalized on the concurrent success of Ms. Grande’s album Thank U, Next by publishing at least 30 unauthorized images and videos misappropriating Ms. Grande’s name, image, likeness, and music in order to create the false perception of her endorsement."
Photo courtesy: Diet Prada’s Instagram
