Jason Derulo has broken his silence over allegations that he sexually harassed an aspiring singer signed to his label.
In a video published on his Instagram page on Thursday evening, Derulo, 34, called singer Emaza Gibson’s claims “false and hurtful.”
“I am against all forms of harassment and continue to support anyone pursuing their dreams. I have always strived to live my life in a way that has a positive impact, and that is why I sit here before you deeply offended by these defamatory claims. God bless,” the In My Head singer added.
Gibson, now 25, said she was thrilled when the “Whatcha Say” singer promised her a record deal in 2021 — until it became clear there were strings attached, according to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Court, seen Through NBC.
Singer Jason Derulo has broken his silence following allegations that he sexually harassed a singer and dropped her from his label as a result
Emaza Gibson, now 25, said she was thrilled when the “Whatcha Say” singer promised her a recording contract in 2021 — until she realized there were strings attached, according to a lawsuit filed by NBC with the Los Angeles County Court. (Pictured: Gibson with Derulo in November 2021)
“I’m at this point in my life right now, it’s very heartbreaking,” Gibson said in an interview with the network.
‘I have fear; I am traumatized. I have had to deal with inhumane work situations. I’ve gotten to this point where I’m back to zero and I have nothing left.”
Iowa native Gibson claims Derulo canceled her recording contract after she rejected his advances and refused to go for a drink. She claims Derulo “demanded sex in exchange for success.”
In 2021, Derulo was in a long-term relationship with Jena Frumes, the mother of his young son. Their son, Jason King, was born in May of the same year.
They broke up just four months later in September – a month after Derulo approached Gibson, who at the time was in a girl group with her sisters called Ceraadi.
Frumes lashed out at Derulo, accusing him of cheating over the fallout from their breakup.
Gibson and her sisters moved to Los Angeles in 2008 and used their YouTube channel as a launch pad for their music, which now has 1.25 million subscribers.
But the aspiring singer’s sisters fell in love with the music industry, while she continued making dance videos in an attempt to launch a solo career.
Derulo’s request to start a joint venture, at the time with Ceraadi, his Future History brand, and Atlantic Records, came in August 2021.
According to her lawsuit, Gibson agreed to a deal where she would produce a mixtape in four months and an album in six months.
Gibson told NBC that in September — the month Derulo split with Frumes — she agreed to have drinks with the “Trumpets” singer in the studio.
‘I have fear; I am traumatized. I have had to deal with inhumane work situations. I’m at this point where I’m back to zero and I have nothing,” Gibson said of her relationship with Derulo
Gibson claims Derulo, 34, ditched her recording contract after rejecting his sexual advances and invitations for drinks. She accuses him of sexual harassment. (Pictured: The accused Whatcha Say singer dancing with Gibson in a video she posted in October 2022)
At the time of his alleged inappropriate advances on Gibson, Derulo was dating Jena Frumes, the mother of his son. The couple welcomed a baby boy named Jason King on May 8, 2021
Derulo allegedly told Gibson that maybe she should embrace “goat skin and fish scales” — which is slang for a type of cocaine and rituals that involve sex, according to the lawsuit
According to her lawsuit, Gibson agreed to a deal where she would produce a mixtape in four months and an album in six months. Gibson told NBC that in September — the month Derulo split with Frumes — she agreed to have drinks with the “Trumpets” singer in the studio.
Gibson said her world “was turned upside down a year ago” and seemed to reference Derulo’s behavior towards her – although she did not explicitly refer to it at the time.
Her lawsuit alleges she consumed “inappropriately large amounts of alcohol.” Gibson took a sip before telling Derulo it was too strong.
“I told him I wasn’t a drinker … so it’s like you don’t listen to that the first time I tell you, and you keep pushing me,” Gibson said in the NBC interview. “It’s kind of pressure right now.”
Derulo allegedly responded by telling Gibson that maybe she should embrace “goat skin and fish scales” — which is slang for a type of cocaine and rituals involving sex, the lawsuit said.
The legal document says that, combined with his alleged predatory behavior, Gibson viewed this statement as an “explicit demand for sex in exchange for success.”
In November 2021, Gibson said she had had enough of Derulo’s advances and told him she was not willing to betray her morals for success in the music industry.
In June this year, Gibson said she had “looked up to Derulo” and was devastated by the way he allegedly treated her.
Speaking with sports and hip hop with DJ Mad Max about the “toxic work environment” he says he created, Gibson explained, “It’s unfortunate.
‘I really looked up to him, I was a big fan of his music, you know, I saw a black man in the pop world, who wasn’t doing mainstream music like rap…
‘But it is what it is. I’ll give my talk and we can always have a discussion.’
In November 2021, Gibson said she had had enough of Derulo’s advances and told him she was not willing to betray her morals for success in the music industry.
In November 2022, Gibson posted a tearful post video her YouTube channel shows her saying, “All I want to do is make music, but people are making my experience hell for no reason.”
She posted another clip of herself dancing with Derulo the month before, in a video called ‘New Beginnings! I signed with Atlantic Records and choreographed for Jason Derulo’.
Gibson gave more details about how happy she was when she was first approached about a record deal by the Ridin’ Solo singer.
But toward the end of the YouTube clip, Gibson goes to a dark screen with an audio recording of her saying, “I don’t feel comfortable talking to him (Derulo) or anything.”
“Like, I don’t want him to be near me.”
Derulo said in a recent interview that dating was “not a focus” for him and that he put his career first.
“It’s difficult for anyone to understand my mentality because mine is not a normal way of living or thinking,” he said People.
“When it comes to choosing between my relationship and my work, my work will win nine times out of 10, and I’m probably being generous by saying only nine.”
DailyMail.com has contacted Derulo’s agents for comment. This is an unfolding story.