Selena Gomez Pushes Back Against Fraud Lawsuit Over Wondermind

Selena Gomez is fighting back against a lawsuit that accuses her of fraud over her mental health startup, Wondermind.

Gomez and her mother, Mandy Teefey, were named in a lawsuit filed by investors who claim they were misled before putting money into the company. Gomez’s attorney, Mathew S. Rosengart, has rejected the allegations and says he plans to ask the court to dismiss the claims against her.

“The allegations that Selena Gomez engaged in any way whatsoever in any purported ‘fraud’ or other wrongdoing are completely meritless, both actually and legally,” Rosengart said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. He added that Gomez would “vigorously defend” herself and that a motion to dismiss the claims was being filed.

Wondermind was launched as a mental health and wellness company by Gomez, Teefey and entrepreneur Daniella Pierson. The lawsuit also names Pierson and Wondermind as defendants.

The investors, who say they first invested in the company in 2022, claim they were given an overly positive picture of Wondermind’s business plans and resources. According to the complaint, they were told the company had the infrastructure, leadership and financial opportunities needed to become a profitable mental health platform.

The lawsuit specifically claims investors believed Gomez would take an active role in building the company as its head of marketing. It also alleges that Pierson had secured potential partnerships with major companies, including JPMorgan and Fidelity, and that several revenue-generating projects were already in progress.

The plaintiffs claim those expectations were not fulfilled. They allege Gomez did not carry out duties they say she had agreed to perform and that the claimed corporate partnerships did not exist.

Pierson has also denied the accusations. Her representatives previously told Entertainment Weekly that she would welcome the opportunity to provide financial records and other documentation supporting her position.

“Daniella categorically denies the allegations against her,” the statement said. It also specifically denied claims that she used investor money for personal expenses, saying instead that Pierson invested her own money in Wondermind and did not take a salary.

The lawsuit includes claims of securities fraud, common-law fraud and equitable fraud against Gomez, Teefey, Pierson and Wondermind. Pierson faces additional allegations involving conversion and unjust enrichment, while Wondermind is also accused of breach of contract and other claims.

The investors are seeking a jury trial.

For now, the allegations remain claims in a civil lawsuit and have not been proven in court. Gomez’s planned motion to dismiss will be an early test of whether the claims against her can proceed.