POP star Jason Derulo has been accused of dropping a record deal for an aspiring singer after she rejected his sexual advances, according to a bombshell lawsuit.
The suit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday claims Derulo made implications that hopeful singer Emaza Gibson would have to have sex with him to advance her career.
Gibson said Derulo, 34, reached out to her in August 2021 with promises of a record deal that required him to produce a mixtape for her in four months and an album in six, according to the lawsuit.
"I'm like, OK, well, Jason is a great artist - big, international, powered with Atlantic," Gibson told NBC News.
"This should be a no-brainer, and I should be able to, you know, start my solo career."
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However, as time passed, Gibson claimed she considered Derulo's statements an "explicit demand for sex-in-exchange-for-success."
The aspiring artist said Derulo repeatedly invited her out and even pressed for her to drink with him in the studio, the lawsuit claims.
Gibson said she rejected his offers to keep their relationship professional but, in one instance, agreed to have a drink with Derulo.
In September 2021, Gibson and Derulo were drinking in the studio, and she was given "inappropriately large amounts of alcohol," according to the lawsuit.
"I told him that I wasn't a drinker... so it's like, you know, you're not listening to that the first time I tell you, and you're still pushing on me," she told NBC News.
After meeting with executives at Atlantic Records in November 2021, Gibson alleges her deal was signed but that Derulo failed to assign her a project manager and ignored her messages.
Gibson witnessed Derulo's explosive attitude in June 2022 when she was running late to a recording session with him, according to the lawsuit.
Derulo allegedly charged at Gibson in front of her mother and his staff.
"I had to step back... my hand just clutched my chest because I was like, I've, I've never been approached this way by anybody," Gibson told NBC News.
That was the last time she saw Derulo.
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Gibson was eventually dropped by Atlantic Records in September 2022, according to the lawsuit.
"I'm at this point in my life right now, it's very heartbreaking," Gibson told NBC News.
"I have anxiety, I'm traumatized. I've dealt with inhumane work situations. I'm at this point where I'm back to zero, and I have nothing."
Gibson said she and her mother have tried to contact human resources at Atlantic Records through email but have not been able to get in touch with anyone.
"I'm just trying to fight for what's right," Gibson told the outlet.
"Because what was done to me was not OK. And I wouldn't want anybody else to go through what I went through.
"They wasted my time. They promised me things... 'Forget the contract.' That's what I was told.
"But if I wasn't going to do, if I wasn't doing my part according to this contract, I would be in trouble. I would be held accountable."
Gibson's lawsuit accuses Derulo, his imprints, and Atlantic Records of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, a failure to remedy workplace harassment, and violation of California's civil rights act.
She is seeking unpaid wages, loss of earnings, deferred compensation, and other employment benefits and damages for emotional distress.
Derulo broke his silence in an Instagram video, denying Gibson's claims: "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."
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. God Bless."
