Jason Derulo “traumatized” an aspiring pop star after she signed a contract with him and later realized he expected sex in return, according to a bombshell new lawsuit.
Emaza Gibson, now 25, said she was thrilled when the “Whatcha Say” singer promised her a record deal in 2021 – until it turned out there were strings attached, according to a filing in Los Angeles County Court According to the lawsuit, which NBC has seen.
“I’ve just gotten to this point in my life, it’s very heartbreaking,” Gibson said in an interview with the station.
“I’m afraid; I’m traumatized. I have had to deal with inhumane work situations. “I’m at a point where I’m back to square one and have nothing left.”
Iowa-born Gibson claims that Derulo, 34, terminated her recording contract after she declined his invitations for drinks. She accuses him of demanding “sex in return for success.”
Emaza Gibson, now 25, said she was thrilled when the “Whatcha Say” singer promised her a record deal in 2021 – until she realized it came with strings attached, according to a lawsuit filed with Los Angeles County Court shows that NBC has seen. (Pictured: Gibson with Derulo in November 2021)
“I’m afraid; I’m traumatized. I have had to deal with inhumane work situations. “I’m at the point where I’m back to square one and have nothing left,” Gibson said of her relationship with Derulo
Gibson claims that Derulo, 34, terminated her recording contract after she rejected his sexual advances and invitations to drink. In return, she accuses him of sexual harassment. (Pictured: the accused Whatcha Say singer dances with Gibson in a video she posted in October 2022)
At the time of his allegedly inappropriate advances toward Gibson, Derulo was dating Jena Frumes, the mother of his son. The couple welcomed a baby boy named Jason King on May 8, 2021
At the time, Derulo was dating Jena Frumes, the mother of his young son. The couple welcomed a baby boy named Jason King on May 8, 2021.
They split in September 2021 – just a month after Derulo approached Gibson, who was then in a band called Ceraadi with her sisters.
Frumes later lashed out at Derulo and accused him of cheating at the time.
Meanwhile, Gibson and her sisters moved to LA in 2008 and started a YouTube channel dedicated to their music, which now has 1.25 million subscribers.
But the aspiring singer’s sisters lost their love for the music industry while she continued making dance videos and trying to launch a solo career.
Derulo’s request to form a joint venture, then with Ceraadi, its Future History brand and Atlantic Records, came in August 2021.
According to her lawsuit, Gibson agreed to a deal that called for her to produce a mixtape in four months and an album in six months.
Gibson told NBC that she agreed to have drinks with the “Trumpets” singer in the studio in September – the month Derulo split from Frumes.
Derulo allegedly told Gibson that she might have to accept “goat skin and fish scales” – which, according to the lawsuit, is slang for a type of cocaine and rituals involving sex
According to her lawsuit, Gibson agreed to a deal that called for her to produce a mixtape in four months and an album in six months. Gibson told NBC that she agreed to have drinks with the “Trumpets” singer in the studio in September – the month Derulo split from Frumes
Gibson said her world “turned upside down a year ago,” apparently referring to Derulo’s behavior toward her — although she didn’t specifically reference it at the time
Her lawsuit alleges she was given “unreasonably large amounts of alcohol.” Gibson took a sip before telling Derulo it was too strong.
“I told him I’m not a drinker…so it’s like you don’t listen the first time I tell you and you’re still pushing me,” Gibson said in the NBC interview. “There’s a bit of pressure at this point.”
Derulo allegedly responded by telling Gibson she might have to put up with “goat skin and fish scales” — which, according to the lawsuit, is slang for a type of cocaine and rituals involving sex.
The legal document states that Gibson viewed this statement, combined with his alleged predatory behavior, as an “explicit demand for sex in exchange for success.”
In November 2021, Gibson said she was fed up with Derulo’s advances and told him she was not willing to betray her morals to succeed in the music industry.
In June this year, Gibson said she “looked up to” Derulo and was devastated by the way he allegedly treated her.
Speaking to DJ Mad Max on Sports and Hip-Hop about the “toxic work environment” she said he created, Gibson explained: “It’s unfortunate.”
“I really looked up to him, I was a big fan of his music, you know, I saw a black man in pop who didn’t do the normal music like rap…”
“But it is what it is.” “I’ll give my talk and we can always have a discussion.”
In November 2021, Gibson said she was fed up with Derulo’s advances and told him she was not willing to betray her morals to succeed in the music industry
In November 2022, Gibson posted a tearful video on her YouTube channel in which she said, “I just want to make music, but people are making my life hell, and for no reason.”
A month earlier, she released another clip of herself dancing alongside Derulo in a video titled “New Beginnings!” I signed with Atlantic Records and choreographed for Jason Derulo.
Gibson shared more details about how happy she was when she was first approached by the Ridin’ Solo singer about a record deal.
But near the end of the YouTube clip, Gibson cuts to a dark screen with an audio recording of her saying, “I don’t feel comfortable talking to him (Derulo) or anything.”
“I don’t want him near me.”
Derulo said in a recent interview that dating is “not a focus” for him and that he puts his career first.
“It’s difficult for anyone to understand my way of thinking because I don’t have a normal way of life or way of thinking,” he told People.
“When it comes to choosing between my relationship and my work, nine times out of ten my work will win, and I’m probably being generous when I just say nine.”
has reached out to Derulo’s agents for comment. This is an unfolding story.