At one point, a direct Instagram message seemed like the beginning of a dream. Through independent R&B releases, YouTube, and TikTok, rising singer Emaza Gibson, better known by his stage name Emaza Dilan, had amassed a respectable fan base. She accepted Jason Derulo’s offer to sign her to his label joint venture with Atlantic Records with excitement and maybe a little trepidation. It seemed to be a turning point in my career.
By August 2021, she thought she was about to embark on something especially advantageous: a unique mentorship offer from a platinum-selling artist that promised exposure, studio time, and individualized coaching. However, she says that mentorship changed over the course of the following few months. Her 49-page lawsuit, which was filed in New York, claims that the partnership soon turned hostile. She claims that Derulo coerced her into attending late-night meetings, promoted drinking, and made sexual advances that she flatly refused.
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Individual Involved | Jason Derulo |
| Plaintiff | Emaza Gibson (aka Emaza Dilan) |
| Allegations | Sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, emotional distress |
| Original Filing Location | California (dismissed) |
| Current Filing Location | New York State Court (active) |
| Public Response | Derulo denies all claims; calls them “false and damaging” |
| Reference Link | www.rollingstone.com/music-news/jason-derulo-lawsuit-details-2025 |
The unsettling specificity of one accusation caught my attention. Derulo, according to Gibson, suggested that she engage in “ritualistic sex acts,” referring to what she called the “goat skin and fish scales” ritual. She says that when she refused, the label stopped communicating with her, releases were postponed, and her contract was ultimately terminated for unclear reasons. She claimed that the feeling of betrayal was devastating.
In 2023, she filed her first lawsuit in California, but it was unsuccessful. A contractual provision designating New York as the jurisdiction for legal disputes led a judge to dismiss the case. In Nevada, a comparable attempt was also rejected. Gibson, however, chose to file a new complaint this year in Manhattan, claiming that he had violated New York state laws pertaining to sexual harassment, retaliation, and breach of contract.
The 35-year-old Derulo has continued to vehemently dispute the allegations. He told journalist Graham Bensinger that the accusations were “not even slightly believable” in a recent interview that was recorded at his house and broadcast nationally in December. Even though the cases had been dropped, he continued, the harm had already been done.
He remarked, “I lost a lot of brand deals.” “Fuck the money.” I put a lot of effort into maintaining my reputation, and anyone can say anything?
In that interview, he sounded more tired than angry. He discussed the lack of media attention given to the dismissals in contrast to the original charges. “Why didn’t they at least post the dismissal? “Wouldn’t that be fair?” he asked out loud, clearly annoyed.
He once declared, “I’ll never work with women again,” which sparked a backlash on the internet. Later on, he made it clear that he would never be by himself in a room with a female coworker. Nevertheless, the remark revealed a significant change in his current perspective on professional boundaries. “Every joke has truth in it,” he continued, pausing before repeating himself. “But it’s a depressing reality.”
Previous claims are expanded upon in the new New York filing. Derulo’s actions, according to Gibson’s attorneys, were retaliatory in addition to being improper. The complaint claims that she was “frozen out” of music production, barred from meetings, and eventually fired from the label without explanation after refusing to participate in what she called sexual coercion. This is described as a “pattern of abuse that any reasonable member of the community would find despicable” in the complaint.
She claimed to have admired Derulo for years in an earlier Rolling Stone quote, which I found myself reading again. She remarked, “This is really devastating for me.” “One of my favorite pop artists was Jason. After accepting this wonderful offer, I discovered that the person I admired would subject me to such a traumatic circumstance. It’s especially difficult to overcome that kind of emotional reversal—from inspiration to disappointment.
Derulo has maintained that he has always treated people with respect in professional settings and that he is dedicated to helping up-and-coming artists of all genders. He referred to his work ethic as “intentionally uplifting” and called the accusations “deeply offensive.” According to him, there isn’t much space for men to defend themselves in the current media environment. He remarked, “It seems disgusting to fight against stories that have been told about me.” “It appears that there is no way to win.”
Now, the legal approach moves to New York, where judges might adopt a different stance. Derulo’s team is still optimistic that the case will be dropped once more. However, Gibson’s lawyers have presented the case as involving more than just a personal disagreement. In a recent statement, she stated, “This is about accountability.” “I refuse to be quieted. I’m not going to back down.
Gibson is arguing that young women in entertainment should never feel under pressure to compromise their morals in order to succeed through calculated re-filing and public support. If her allegations are validated, the industry might have to confront power relationships, mentoring, and covert manipulation once more.
Derulo, however, has made the decision to rethink his professional conventions. He claims that whenever he interacts with the women he works with, he will always have another person present. He describes the change as necessary, albeit not ideal. He now feels that even in well-meaning partnerships, the risk is too great.
The past few years have highlighted how fragile trust has become for many artists navigating this industry, whether they are newcomers like Gibson or seasoned pros like Derulo. Beneath it all, people still carry personal narratives shaped by ambition, fear, respect, and, occasionally, profound disappointment. The music may be polished, the branding tight, and the partnerships exciting.
Gibson’s case might not only change the outcome of a single lawsuit, but it might also force structural adjustments to the way that contracts, mentorship, and creative collaborations are handled in the entertainment industry. And maybe that will be the legacy that outlives the litigation, even if it happens gradually.
