{
  "id": 3618970,
  "title": "Selena Gomez Fights ‘Absurd’ Fraud Claims in Wondermind Investor Lawsuit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/selena-gomez-fights-absurd-fraud-claims-in-wondermind-investor-lawsuit",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-26T23:35:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/pro/selena-gomez-fights-wondermind-investor-lawsuit/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Selena Gomez is vigorously contesting allegations that she was implicated in fraud at the mental health startup Wondermind, dismissing the lawsuit as \"egregiously improper and legally deficient.\" Her legal team has filed a motion on Wednesday to remove Gomez from the ongoing legal battle, which was initiated by five Wondermind investors two weeks ago. These investors claim they were misled into investing $1.2 million in the company, which is led by Gomez's mother, Mandy Teefey.\n\nAccording to Gomez's legal representatives, led by Mathew Rosengart, the accusations of fraud are baseless. Rosengart's team argues that the notion of Gomez engaging in any form of \"fraud\" is absurd, stating that she should not have been dragged into the lawsuit. The lawsuit centers on claims that Teefey and her former co-CEO, Daniella Pierson, misrepresented the company's structure and finances to the investors, including saying that Gomez would have a significant role as the head of marketing when, in fact, Gomez actively distanced herself from the company.\n\nGomez's lawyers claim that this specific allegation alone proves that she cannot be involved in the lawsuit, as she had no role in Wondermind's fundraising or management. They argue that even if Gomez had access to the financial information, it does not mean she knew about the misleading communications between the company's executives and the plaintiffs. The motion further states that without any direct allegations or evidence of Gomez's involvement in the operational state or financial condition of Wondermind, the fraud claims against her should be dismissed.\n\nIn a statement to Billboard, Rosengart emphasized that the motion demonstrates the claims against Gomez are completely meritless and frivolous. The lawyers are also exploring additional avenues of relief for Gomez, including seeking sanctions against the plaintiffs for improperly including her in the lawsuit. The investors' attorneys have not yet responded to requests for comment on Wednesday. Wondermind, founded in 2021, aimed to develop mental health media initiatives, including a digital magazine, mobile app, and podcast. The company faced significant scrutiny after The Cut published a report in 2022 alleging dire financial conditions due to Teefey's alleged substance abuse issues and erratic behavior. Teefey denied these allegations at the time and insisted that Wondermind remained viable.",
  "summary": "Lawyers say the pop star and actress “should never have been dragged into” a legal fight over the mental health startup.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}