Kelly Clarkson's battle with her management company of 13 years continues.
In September, Starstruck Management Group, which is owned by her estranged husband Brandon Blaackstock's father, Narvel Blackstock, filed a lawsuit requesting more than $1.4 million in commissions related to her work as a judge on NBC's "The Voice" and "The Kelly Clarkson Show." That was in addition to the $1.9 million she already paid, according to PEOPLE.
Starstruck's legal team says Clarkson breached her verbal contract and will "likely" owe about $5.4 million by the end of 2020 in estimated commissions.
In a labor petition obtained by the outlet, the 38-year-old singer responded stating that the company violated the California Labor Code for "procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements" for her without first getting a talent agency license.
Additionally, she argued that any and all agreements, including a reported verbal contract in which she agreed to pay 15% commission on gross earnings, should be "declared void and unenforceable."
The company's attorney, Bryan Freedman, told the outlet that her statement "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 explained. "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."
However, Clarkson's petition alleges that Starstruck did not follow the Talent Agencies Act requirements of submitting an application for a license, nor did they write a formal talent agency agreement with her. She also claims both Narvel and Branodn acted as unlicensed talent agents.
Due to these "wrongful actions," she believes she should not have to pay the commission while also being refunded all the money she did pay the company.
In other court documents, PEOPLE notes Clarkson asked that the case concerning Starstruck be suspended until after her Labor Commission proceedings. If she wins that case, the claims made against her in this case will no longer have any basis.
She also argues that the company "failed to deposit a $50,000 surety bond with the Labor Commissioner," per the report.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
