Selena Gomez‘s legal team has strongly defended the actress following allegations of fraud related to her mental health startup, Wondermind, which she co-founded with her mother, Mandy Teefey, and former business partner, Daniella Pierson.
Gomez’s Legal Response
Mathew S. Rosengart, Gomez’s attorney, addressed the accusations in a statement shared with People. He stated, “The allegations that Selena Gomez engaged in any way whatsoever in any purported ‘fraud’ or other wrongdoing are completely meritless, both factually and legally. We will vigorously defend these false allegations and indeed are filing a motion to dismiss the baseless claims against her.”
The Allegations Against Wondermind’s Founders
The lawsuit, filed on Thursday by Wondermind SRS 44 LLC and Bespoke Wondermind SPV LLC, claims that Gomez, Teefey, and Pierson misrepresented the leadership and partnerships of their mental health startup. Founded in November 2021, Wondermind aims to promote mental fitness through various tools and practices. Investors allege that the trio promised features like an app and substantial advertising deals, with Gomez being a central part of their marketing strategy. The complaint asserts that Pierson was portrayed to investors as a “$200 million executive” involved in numerous revenue-generating initiatives.
Claims of Fraud and Mismanagement
According to the suit, multiple claims of fraud have been levied against the founders, including securities fraud and breach of contract. The complaint states, “The partnerships did not exist. The initiatives never materialized. The app was never built. And for three years, while the company quietly collapsed around them, not one of its founders, officers or directors said a word to the investors whose money was funding the collapse.” The plaintiffs are seeking rescission of the investment contract and damages.
Daniella Pierson’s Defense
In a statement shared with USA Today, a representative for Pierson expressed her intent to contest the allegations vigorously. She stated that Pierson is an investor who has never used company funds for personal expenses, highlighting that “Daniella invested her own money into the business and did not draw a salary from the company.”
The outcome of this legal battle remains to be seen, but Gomez and her co-founders are preparing to fight the accusations head-on, determined to clear their names in the wake of these claims.
