Selena Gomez is facing a new round of criticism from investors suing her over Wondermind, with their attorney accusing the singer and actress of using her celebrity influence to help attract money to the mental-health company.
Attorney Jeffrey Neiman, who represents the investors, tells TMZ that Gomez’s name, influence and promised role were central to efforts to secure investment in Wondermind.
“Mental health is not a marketing strategy, and should never be used as a vehicle for personal financial gain,” Neiman said.
The attorney argues that the issue goes beyond Gomez simply being associated with the company. He claims her celebrity status was a major part of the pitch presented to potential investors.
“Selena wasn’t simply associated with the pitch. She was the pitch,” Neiman said.
The comments come as Gomez, her mother Mandy Teefey and former business partner Daniella Pierson face a lawsuit from investors who say they were misled about Wondermind and Gomez’s role in the company.
According to the investors’ lawsuit, Gomez was presented as Wondermind’s “head of marketing.” They claim they expected her substantial social media following and public profile to help promote the brand and attract attention to its mental-health mission.
The investors also allege that Gomez helped bring people into the company before later distancing herself from Wondermind after funding had been secured.
Those allegations remain disputed.
Gomez has denied the accusations, and her attorney has previously described the claims as “completely meritless, both factually and legally.” Gomez has also filed a motion seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed.
Her legal team argues that the investors’ allegations are vague and contradictory and do not establish that Gomez committed fraud or knew about any alleged false statements concerning the business.
The dispute now puts the star’s connection to Wondermind under a legal microscope, with the investors emphasizing the value they say her celebrity identity brought to the fundraising effort.
For Gomez, the immediate goal is clear: get the claims against her dismissed. For the investors, the lawsuit continues to center on whether her role and public image were used in a way that influenced their decision to put money into Wondermind.
