David Ehrlich, ex-manager of emerging pop artist – and a one-off american idol competitor — Lauren Spencer-Smith is suing UMG Recordings, Island Records, and Republic Records for $45 million for defamation, libel, and tortious interference with contract.
The lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday morning in New York, alleges Island-Republic allegedly made “false, false and malicious statements” to Spencer-Smith about Ehrlich “acting unlawfully by taking pictures of women”. unlawful harassment of women.” The lawsuit alleges that Ehrlich subsequently inflicted “significant damage” to his reputation, in addition to economic and non-economic damage.
The lawsuit also alleges that Spencer-Smith prematurely terminated his contract with Ehrlich’s firm, David M. Ehrlich & Associates, due to Island-Republic’s “deliberate acts and misconduct.” The lawsuit claims that in doing so, the New York-based company lost “several potential business relationships.”
Ehrlich is seeking a total of $45 million in damages plus interest, costs and attorneys’ fees.
Spencer-Smith is not named as a defendant in the case. The 19-year-old Juno Award nominee, who parted ways with Ehrlich in May 2022, is now led by Andrew Gertler and Ziggy Chareton, Shawn Mendes’ longtime manager.
Spencer-Smith signed with UMG Island-Republic in February 2022 after achieving a viral hit with his song “Fingers Crossed”. The Canadian singer-songwriter, who has earned comparisons to Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift, had already entered the top 20 when she competed. american idol in 2020