Singer Emaza Gibson, who records as Emaza Dilan, is suing Jason Derulo for sexual harassment, retaliation, and breach of contract, alleging he pressured her for sex in exchange for career support and had her dropped from his label after she refused. The Jason Derulo sexual harassment lawsuit was first filed in Los Angeles in October 2023, dismissed on a venue technicality in April 2024, and refiled in Manhattan state court in September 2025, where it remains pending. Derulo denies the allegations and calls them fabricated.
How Gibson Ended Up at Derulo’s Label
In August 2021, Derulo contacted Gibson about a joint venture between his imprint, Future History, and Atlantic Records. She signed artist and recording agreements in February 2022. The deal required her to deliver a mixtape within four months and an album within six, along with a single featuring Derulo, and she began working with him on material for Atlantic executives.
What Gibson Alleges
Gibson’s complaint says Derulo repeatedly pressured her to drink heavily during late-night meetings and made sexually explicit comments. It describes a specific incident on or around November 2, 2021, in which Derulo allegedly told her that to succeed in the music industry she would have to participate in “goat skin and fish scales,” which the complaint defines as a Haitian reference to sex rituals, sacrificing a goat, and using cocaine. Gibson characterizes the statement as a demand for sex in exchange for career advancement.
After she rejected him, the complaint says, Derulo became “increasingly disinterested and aloof,” pulled back promised support, and stalled her releases. Gibson also describes a June 2022 recording session at Derulo’s Malibu home where he allegedly charged at her, causing her to fear for her safety. On September 6, 2022, she was dropped from both Atlantic Records and Future History. The lawsuit calls the termination pretextual retaliation for refusing Derulo’s advances.
Who Else Is Being Sued
The suit names Atlantic Records, Future History, and Derulo’s manager Frank Harris as co-defendants. Gibson says she and her mother emailed Atlantic’s human resources department to report Derulo’s behavior and got no follow-up. The complaint quotes an Atlantic A&R executive telling Gibson in July 2022 that “the Atlantic team wants you to win, but I can’t say the same for Jason.”
Harris’s attorneys moved in December 2023 to remove him from the California case, arguing he had “no place in this litigation” and that his involvement amounted to “a few conversations” with Gibson and her mother. When Gibson’s mother contacted Harris about the June 2022 confrontation, Harris allegedly told her that “Derulo is his own man.” Atlantic Records did not publicly respond to the original lawsuit.
Derulo’s Response
Derulo denied the allegations the same day the original suit was filed, posting a video on Instagram on October 5, 2023. “I wouldn’t normally comment but these claims are completely false and hurtful,” he said. “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.”
In an interview with Graham Bensinger recorded in September 2025 and released that December, Derulo called the case “a completely fabricated story” and said it had cost him “millions” in lost brand deals. He singled out the goat-sacrifice allegation as “not even slightly believable” and said that going forward he would never be alone in a room with a woman he works with.
Why the First Case Was Dismissed
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Kerry Bensinger dismissed the original complaint on April 16, 2024. The ruling turned on forum selection clauses in the February 2022 agreements Gibson had signed, which required disputes arising from the recording relationship to be litigated in New York County courts. Derulo’s attorney, Camilo Echavarria, argued the clause was “extremely broad” and reached all claims tied to the parties’ agreement. Judge Bensinger agreed, finding that “the entire existence of this entire relationship originates from the agreement.”
Gibson’s California attorney, Ronald Zambrano, argued that the harassment claims made “no reference to a contract” and arose from conduct in California. The judge was not persuaded. The dismissal did not touch the merits of the harassment allegations; it was about where the case had to be heard.
Where the Case Stands Now
On September 18, 2025, Gibson refiled a 49-page complaint in Manhattan state court, represented by J. John Bral of the Derek Smith Law Group. The new complaint names the same defendants and restates the core allegations under New York law, adding hostile work environment, discrimination, and intentional infliction of emotional distress to the sexual harassment, retaliation, and breach of contract claims. The case number is E2025022406.
In his December 2025 interview, Derulo said the lawsuit had been “dismissed twice” in two different states. The Derek Smith Law Group issued a statement on December 17, 2025 calling that claim part of a “public campaign of misinformation,” clarifying that only the California case had been dismissed, that the dismissal was procedural, and that no court had ruled on the merits. The firm said the New York case is actively pending in New York State Supreme Court.
As of the most recent reporting, the New York case is in its early stages with no hearings scheduled. Lawyers for Derulo, Atlantic Records, Future History, and Harris have not publicly responded to the refiling. Derulo’s legal team has said it expects the New York courts to dismiss the claims; Gibson’s attorneys have said their “commitment to achieving justice” is “unwavering.”