00:05Ariana Grande is suing Forever 21 over using a look-alike model in their campaign.
00:10Specifically, the singer is seeking $10 million in damages after the fashion retailer
00:14allegedly hired a look-alike model for their social media campaigns in January and
00:19February of this year. According to the complaint filed in California federal court,
00:23it all started when Forever 21 approached Ariana to participate in an endorsement deal
00:28leading up to the release of her highly anticipated Thank U Next album. The complaint states,
00:33the endorsement deal Forever 21 sought with Miss Grande centered around social media
00:37marketing, including but not limited to Twitter posts, Instagram posts and Instagram stories.
00:42According to negotiations, the rate for a single post from the singer is well into the
00:46six figures and since a retailer wasn't willing to fork up that kind of cash, Ari said
00:51Thank U Next. Now according to the complaint, rather than pay for the right to use her
00:55image and likeness, Forever 21 quote, simply stole it by launching a misleading campaign
01:00across its website and social media platforms. They continued saying that the campaign
01:04capitalized on the success of her latest album by quote, publishing at least 30
01:09unauthorized images and videos misappropriating Miss Grande's name, image, likeness and music
01:14in order to create the false perception of her endorsement.
01:20And don't copy it. The singer claims that the strikingly similar model wore the same
01:24hairstyle and hair accessories she did in the Seven Rings video, dressed in a top worn by her
01:29in numerous well-known photographs, and struck a pose for which Ari is known for.
01:34Daniel Petrocelli, the attorney that's representing the singer, is claiming Forever 21's activity
01:38constitutes a violation of California's right of publicity statute, false endorsement,
01:43trademark infringement and copyright infringement. Forever 21 has yet to comment on the whole ordeal.
01:49For more on this story, head to THR.com and until next time, for The Hollywood Reporter News,
01:53I'm Neha Joy.
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