Jason Derulo Accuser Refiles Harassment Suit in New York

Pop singer Jason Derulo is once again facing allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation after aspiring artist Emaza Gibson refiled her lawsuit against him and Atlantic Records in New York.

Gibson, who performs under the name Emaza Dilan, originally filed her claims in Los Angeles in October 2023, accusing Derulo of subjecting her to unwanted advances and sabotaging her career when she refused to comply. That case was dismissed last year after a California judge determined her contracts contained clauses requiring any legal disputes to be heard in New York.

Her newly filed 49-page complaint, entered Thursday in Manhattan state court, restates her allegations and now anchors them in New York law. The claims include sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, breach of contract, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

According to the lawsuit, the trouble began after Derulo contacted Gibson in August 2021 through direct message, offering her what appeared to be a breakthrough opportunity. He expressed interest in signing her as part of his joint venture with Atlantic Records and his own label, Future History. Gibson said she was “over the moon” at the chance to work with an established pop star who promised mentorship and collaboration across multiple albums.

However, Gibson alleges that what began as a promising professional relationship quickly soured. In the complaint, she claims Derulo pressured her to consume alcohol during late-night meetings and made explicit comments suggesting her success was contingent on participating in “ritualistic sex acts.” She recalls a November 2021 encounter when Derulo allegedly told her that “to make it” in the industry, she would have to engage in degrading sexual activity.

When Gibson rebuffed his advances, she contends, Derulo grew “disinterested and aloof,” undermining her confidence in the deal. The complaint further accuses him of physically intimidating her by “lunging and screaming” at her without provocation.

Gibson says her refusal to comply led to deliberate retaliation. The lawsuit claims Derulo and his team stalled her music releases, withdrew promised support, and ultimately terminated her contract under false pretenses. The alleged behavior, the filing states, amounted to a “dream opportunity” devolving into “a nightmare of quid pro quo harassment and intimidation.”

Gibson, now 27, said in an interview when she first brought the case in 2023 that the experience devastated her long-held ambitions. “This is something I always wanted to do since I was a little girl,” she said at the time. “Jason was one of my favorite artists. I accepted this amazing offer only to discover the person I looked up to would put me through such a traumatic situation.”

Derulo, 35, has previously denied the allegations, calling them “completely false and hurtful.” In an Instagram statement, he said he stood “against all forms of harassment” and insisted he has “always strived to live my life in a positively impactful way.” His legal team has likewise dismissed Gibson’s claims as “baseless,” stating last year after the Los Angeles dismissal that they expected any refiling in New York would also fail.

Lawyers for Derulo, Atlantic Records, Future History, and his longtime manager Frank Harris have not responded to the latest filing.

The case is still in its early stages in New York courts, and no hearings have been scheduled yet.