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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Kevin E G Perry

Selena Gomez hits back at ‘meritless’ lawsuit accusing her mental health company of fraud

Selena Gomez’s lawyers have slammed a lawsuit accusing the actor and singer of fraud, calling the claims “completely meritless, both factually and legally.”

The 34-year-old actor and singer launched mental health start-up Wondermind Global in 2021 alongside her mother Mandy Teefey and their former business partner Daniella Pierson.

On Friday, they were sued by investors in the company who claimed that Gomez failed to deliver on promises she would be actively involved in building the company as head of marketing.

However, her lawyer Mathew S. Rosengart has now responded in a statement to People, saying: “The allegations that Selena Gomez engaged in any way whatsoever in any purported ‘fraud’ or other wrongdoing are completely meritless, both factually and legally.”

Rosengart added: “We will vigorously defend these false allegations and indeed are filing a motion to dismiss the baseless claims against her.”

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit say they invested nearly $1.2 million in Wondermind Global, which promised ⁠to help users strengthen their “mental ​fitness.”

The suit was filed in federal court in Delaware.

“Gomez purported to sign a contract obligating ⁠her to perform and then ignored it,” the lawsuit claimed.

“There was no legitimate enterprise in the works, much less a lucrative one,” the plaintiffs added, saying that the company failed to meet “even its most basic obligations, such as ‌timely paying its employees and vendors.”

The ⁠lawsuit argues that the plaintiffs were ⁠unaware of the company's troubles until an online news story ‌detailed them ​in September 2025. Plaintiffs ‌are seeking to recoup ​their investments and legal fees.

In May last year, a source told People that Gomez had personally stepped in after learning that employees had not been paid.

“Selena has invested millions of dollars over the years into Wondermind to support her mother and their shared passion for mental health, including when she was alerted about the most recent financial setback, and immediately invested more money as she’s not involved in the day-to-day operations,” claimed the source.

They added: “To invest in the future of the company, Mandy has chosen to take the lead here with a personal loan to invest in the future of the company.”

Teefey has not yet commented on the current lawsuit, while Pierson issued a statement to the New York Times in which she “categorically” denied the allegations against her.

In a 2023 interview on the Wondermind website, Gomez spoke about the positive aspects of working in the mental health field.

“When I decided to be open about my mental health, people began to reach out and share their stories,” she said. “Listening and connecting was the biggest gift because you feel less alone.”

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