A sexual harassment lawsuit previously filed and dismissed against Jason Derulo in Los Angeles has been refiled in New York.
In the lawsuit, obtained by Rolling Stone, singer Emaza Dilan claims Derulo sexually harassed her when they started working together, and he became “deeply hostile" when she rejected him. Dilan initially sued Derulo and Atlantic Records in LA in October 2023; however, a judge later tossed the complaint, pointing to clauses in Gibson’s artist agreement that said any legal issues had to be filed in New York courts.
Dilan resurrected her complaint last week in a Manhattan state court, which includes the same allegations, but under the purview of New York laws. In addition to sexual harassment, the 27-year-old accuses Derulo of discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, breach of contract, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
“This case arises out of a recording deal gone wrong due to egregious sexual harassment, broken promises, and retaliatory career sabotage,” the filing claims. “What began as a dream opportunity quickly descended into a nightmare of quid pro quo sexual harassment and intimidation.”
In the lawsuit, Dilan says she and Derulo first connected over direct message in August 2021, when he told her he wanted to sign her to his Atlantic imprint, Future History. She says she was “over the moon” at the idea of working so closely with Derulo.
She says that their relationship soured around November 2021, after he allegedly insisted she drink alcohol with him during late-night meetings. Dilan also accuses him of making sexually explicit comments to her, apparently telling her that if she wants to “make it” in the music industry she would have to participate in “ritualistic sex acts.” Upon rejecting him, she says Derulo “became increasingly disinterested and aloof.”
“Derulo exploited his power, implying that plaintiff’s success was conditioned on participating in degrading sexual rituals and cocaine use,” the New York suit states. “When plaintiff resisted Derulo’s advances and later complained about his misconduct, defendants retaliated by withdrawing support, stalling her music releases, and ultimately terminating her contract under pretextual circumstances.”
The lawsuit also describes ways in which Derulo allegedly “intimidated” Dilan, including “lunging at her and screaming.” She also says Derulo “sabotaged her career and dream” when she rebuffed his sexual advances.
“We are fully committed to defending Jason’s innocence against these blatantly false and baseless claims. If these false accusations are refiled in New York, we are confident that the New York court will ultimately dismiss the case and prove Jason’s innocence. The court was correct in dismissing the lawsuit in California,” Derulo’s legal team told Rolling Stone last year, after the LA case was thrown out.
Dilan also spoke with the publication in 2023, describing the situation as “super devastating.” She added, Jason was one of my favorite artists on the pop scene. I accept this amazing offer only to find out the person I looked up to would put me through such a traumatic situation.”
Derulo addressed Dilan’s allegations in an Instagram post last October, saying, he’s “against all forms of harassment” and is “committed to supporting people following their dreams.”
He continued, “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.”