06 October 2023 , 12:10
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Jason Derulo has spoken out against harassment allegations made against him by a former signed singer to his record label.
The singer posted a video of himself on his social media accounts. In the clip, Derulo is sitting in what looks like a dressing room as he talks to the camera.
Derulo captioned the video with what he says. He starts: "I wouldn’t normally comment but these claims are completely false and hurtful. 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," he continued.
READ MORE: Jason Derulo signed aspiring singer to deal and expected sex, she alleges in new lawsuit
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She first met Jason in 2021 (emazadilan/Instagram)
Jason said he's 'supportive of anyone following their dreams' (Getty Images)Emaza Gibson is suing the Whatcha Say singer, accusing him of quid pro quo sexual harassment. She claims that she was dropped from her record deal after rejecting his sexual advances and requests she join him for dinner and drinks.
"I'm at this point in my life right now, it's very heartbreaking," Gibson said during an interview with NBC News, "I have anxiety; I'm traumatised. I've dealt with inhumane work situations...I'm at this point where I'm back to zero and I have nothing."
Gibson has filed her lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Her lawsuit claims that Derulo showed aggressive behaviour and unwanted invitations, and implied that Gibson would have to have sex with him in order to become a successful singer.
The aspiring singer first moved to Los Angeles in 2008 with her sisters and formed a musical group with them named Ceraadi. Their YouTube channel gained more than 1.25 million subscribers.
Derulo invited the group to a work session, according to Gibson. But Ceraadi broke up beforehand, as her sisters dropped out of music.
Gibson started working towards a solo career, and Derulo reached out to her in August 2021. He reportedly wanted to sign her as a solo artist for his joint venture between Future History, his music imprint, and Atlantic Records.
Emaza claims he asked for sexual favours in exchange for a music career (Action Press/REX/Shutterstock)According to her lawsuit, the deal called for Gibson to create a mixtape in four months and an album in six. The deal also required one of her singles to feature Derulo.
At first, it seemed like Gibson was excited. "'I’m like, OK, well, Jason is a great artist — big, international, powered with Atlantic — this should be a no-brainer, and I should be able to, you know, start my solo career," she said.
Her lawsuit alleges that she wanted to keep their relationship professional so she turned down offers for dinner and drinks. Once in September 2021, she was given a drink in the studio by Derulo that had "inappropriately large amounts of alcohol," according to the lawsuit.
Ron Zambrano, Gibson's lawyer, said Jason: “Not only broke promises and breached contracts, but his threats of physical harm and unconscionable sexual advances toward this young woman who is just trying to break into the industry were outrageous and illegal.”
Aspiring singer files lawsuit against Jason Derulo alleging 'sexual harassment'