Nicki Minaj has asked a federal judge in Atlanta to dismiss a $30 million legal claim against her by her former wig designer, Terrence Davidson.
Terrence Davidson sued Nick Minaj in February, accusing her of selling wigs based on his designs without permission.
Nicki Minaj’s lawyers argued that the case should be thrown out as Terrence Davidson had failed to state a valid claim.
Terrence Davidson sued Nick Minaj in February, accusing her of selling wigs based on his designs without permission
They added he was “upset because he lost his most famous client”.
Terrence Davidson, who began working for Nicki Minaj in 2010, created wigs the star wore at high-profile events and in her Super Bass music video.
He claims Nicki Minaj and her team reneged on discussions to launch his own reality show and wig line, saying the star had since copied his wig designs and was selling them online.
Christopher Chestnut, Terrence Davidson’s lawyer, said his client’s wigs “significantly contributed” to Nicki Minaj’s notoriety and helped her rise to fame.
The hair stylist stopped working for Nicki Minaj in 2013, citing creative differences.
According to legal papers, Nicki Minaj’s lawyers said Terrence Davidson was seeking to force himself into a business relationship the star and her team had developed in a bid to receive money he had not earned.
Responding to claims, Nicki Minaj prevented him from becoming a reality TV star, they said Terrence Davidson’s “self-described talents are insufficient to garner the same types of business opportunities he may have received when serving as [Nicki Minaj’s] hairstylist”.
Nicki Minaj’s former hair stylist Terrence Davidson is suing the star for $30 million, accusing her of selling wigs based on his designs without permission.
Terrence Davidson began working for the rapper in 2010, creating multiple wigs for high-profile events and her Super Bass music video.
The hair stylist claims he had previously discussed a joint business venture with Nicki Minaj to launch a line of wigs.
Terrence Davidson says the star is now copying his wig designs and selling them online.
According to legal papers filed in Atlanta, Terrence Davidson says he also turned down a contract for a reality TV show on the advice of one of Nicki Minaj’s representatives, with the promise of creating his own reality show with the star about being a celebrity wig stylist.
Nicki Minaj’s former hair stylist Terrence Davidson is suing the star for $30 million, accusing her of selling wigs based on his designs without permission
But after months passed in 2012, Terrence Davidson claims Nicki Minaj and her team “took active steps to isolate [him] and preclude him from the notoriety he deserved for his wig designs”.
Terrence Davidson – whose celebrity clients also include singers Patti LaBelle and Jennifer Hudson – stopped working as Nicki Minaj’s stylist in early 2013, citing creative differences.
Christopher Chestnut, a lawyer for the hair stylist, said his client’s wigs “significantly contributed” to Nicki Minaj’s notoriety and helped her rise to fame.
The lawyer said Nicki Minaj “took a number of his popular wig designs, without his consent, and used them to start her own wig line”, resulting in at least $30 million in losses.
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