Kelly Clarkson is challenging the lawsuit by her father-in-law’s management company.
The “Behind These Hazel Eyes” singer-songwriter, who is being sued by Starstruck Management Group in a lawsuit claiming Clarkson owes more than $1.4 million in unpaid commissions this year in addition to the $1.9 million she’s already paid. The company, which is owned by the musician’s estranged husband Brandon Blackstock’s father, Narvel Blackstock, issued the suit in September.
Now, Clarkson is fighting back. Per a labor petition obtained by People, the 38-year-old alleges Starstruck violated the California Labor Code for "procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements" for her without acquiring a talent agency license first.
Additionally, the “Broken & Beautiful” star is moving to have any and all agreements, including the apparent verbal contract in which Clarkson allegedly agreed to pay the company 15% commission on her gross earnings, be “declared void and unenforceable.”
In response, Starstruck attorney Bryan Freedman stated the petition "conveniently ignores the fact that Kelly had her own licensed talent agency [Creative Artists Agency] at all times."
"While Starstruck Management Group provided talent management services on her behalf, it did so at all times that CAA was her agency of record," he continued. "It is unfortunate that Kelly is again attempting to avoid paying commissions that are due and owing to Starstruck to try and achieve some perceived advantage in her ongoing custody and divorce proceedings."
Clarkson, who filed to divorce Brandon in June after seven years of marriage over irreconcilable differences, shares two children with her estranged husband: daughter River and son Remington.
According to People, Clarkson’s petition lists a number of allegations against Narvel’s company, including its failure to submit a written application for a license, write a formal talent agency agreement with her, and claims Starstruck demanded “unconscionable fees and compensation” from her for “illegal services.” What’s more, the pop star also alleged Brandon and Narvel acted as “unlicensed talent agents.”
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