Jason Derulo Denies Singer’s ‘False and Hurtful’ Sexual Harassment Claims

LOS ANGELES - APR 3: Jason Derulo at the iHeart Radio Music Awards 2016 Press Room at the The Forum on April 3, 2016 in Inglewood, CA — Photo by Jean_Nelson/Deposit Photos

Calling an up-and-coming singer’s sexual harassment claims “defamatory,” Jason Derulo has responded to the woman’s lawsuit insisting the allegations are “completely false.”

Emaza Gibson filed the lawsuit Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The suit, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, says Derulo signed Gibson to a recording contract under his Atlantic Records imprint Future History in 2021, then allegedly demanded sex in exchange for helping to advance her career.

The complaint says “Derulo informed plaintiff that if she wanted to be successful in ‘this business,’ plaintiff would be required to partake in ‘goat skin and fish scales,'” which is a Haitian term referring to conducting sex rituals, sacrificing a goat, goat blood and doing cocaine.

“The manner and timing of such a statement meant that Derulo was demanding sexual acts from [Gibson] in order for Derulo to fulfill his role as her mentor, supervisor and musical collaborator,” the lawsuit states.

Related StoryLizzo Calls Sexual Harassment Allegations ‘Outrageous’ in Response to Lawsuit

Derulo, 34, was born in Miramar, Florida, and is the son of Haitian parents.

The complaint says Gibson eventually insisted that her mother/manager attend meetings or recording sessions, which allegedly angered Derulo.

Gibson claims the “Talk Dirty” singer later went “radio silent” about recording her album because she “refused to drink with him or have sex with him.”

She was ultimately fired in September 2022, according to the lawsuit.

As a result of her dealings with Derulo, the complaint says Gibson suffered “breakdowns, weight loss, insomnia, mood swings, hopelessness, loss of motivation,” and sought mental health treatment.

Derulo denied the claims in the lawsuit with a video statement uploaded to X/Twitter on Oct. 5.

“I wouldn’t normally comment but these claims are completely false and hurtful,” Derulo stated. “I stand against all forms of harassment and I remain supportive of anybody following their dreams. I’ve always strived to live my life in a positively impactful way, and that’s why I sit here before you deeply offended by these defamatory claims. God Bless.”

Gibson is also suing Derulo’s manager Frank Harris, Atlantic Records, Future History and RCA Records for allegedly ignoring her complaints.

Her suit seeks damages to cover unpaid wages, loss of earnings, emotional distress and medical expenses, as well as attorneys’ fees. She is seeking a jury trial for the case.

In May of this year, Gibson posted a diss track on her Instagram page. Among the lyrics were: “You know I can’t sell my soul to no luminati. Tell Derulo he a b–h, should’ve never signed me.”


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About Anita Bennett

Anita Bennett is the editor and founder of Urban Hollywood 411. She can be reached on Twitter @tvanita.