Ariana Grande is suing Forever 21 for using a look-alike model in a recent marketing campaign. Per Reuters, Grande recently filed a $10 million lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court, claiming trademark infringement.
Grande was reportedly in talks with Riley Rose — a line started by the daughters of Forever 21 founders — on a joint marketing campaign. However, Grande rejected the idea in February as the company failed to offer enough money. Now, Grande is claiming that the company is profiting off her likeness to flog their products.
The complaint relates to Forever 21 hiring a “strikingly similar” model in the campaign, it also highlights the appropriation of Grande’s track ‘7 rings’ in at least 30 images and videos. One of the posts shared to Forever 21’s Instagram features the lyrics “gee thanks, just bought em” from the track.
“The resemblance is uncanny,” the complaint said.
Forever 21 has since released a statement addressing the lawsuit.
“Forever 21 does not comment on pending litigation as per company policy,” the company shared. “That said, while we dispute the allegations, we are huge supporters of Ariana Grande and have worked with her licensing company over the past two years. We are hopeful that we will find a mutually agreeable resolution and can continue to work together in the future.”
Watch: Ariana Grande – ‘7 rings’
Last month, Ariana Grande made her triumphant return to Manchester for the first time since her One Love Manchester special charity concert in 2017, to perform at a Pride Event.
During her performance, Grande shared a heartfelt messaged with the LGBT community.
“My heart has always, you know, the gays have always had my heart, personally. I spent some of the happiest times of my teenage years singing in gay bars in New York City,” she shared. ” I was in a Broadway show and whenever I finished a show I’d just go to a gay bar and sing Whitney Houston covers… thank you so much for accepting and celebrating me.”
