Rita Ora Sued by Jay Z's Roc Nation for $2 Million-Plus

Getty Images

Rita Ora is known for hits including “I Will Never Let You Down” — but that’s exactly what her record label is accusing her of doing in a new lawsuit.

Ora was slapped with a lawsuit by Jay Z’s Roc Nation on Friday, alleging that she still owes the label four more albums — and millions of dollars.

The suit comes after a December complaint filed by Ora against Roc Nation, asking to be let out of her contract. In her own filing, Ora alleges that the label began to lose interest in her after the company focused its attention on other ventures, such as the streaming service Tidal and a sports management company.

Also Read: Rita Ora Sues Jay Z Seeking Freedom From 'Oppressive' Deal

But in Friday’s complaint, filed in New York Supreme Court, Roc Nation claims that it’s sunk millions into Ora’s career, and she still owes the label four more albums.

According to the suit, Ora signed with Roc Nation in 2008, when she was still an unknown, and agreed to deliver five albums, only one of which she’s turned over.

The label claims it’s invested “millions of dollars in marketing, recording, and other costs, which were instrumental in guiding Ms. Ora to her current level of success and fame.” Roc Nation claims to have sunk more than $2 million into Ora’s in-progress second album alone.

See video: Rita Ora Sings Clickbait Headlines for Jimmy Kimmel and You Gotta Hear It

In a statement provided to TheWrap, Ora’s attorney, Howard King, said that Jay Z has promised Ora “complete freedom” from the label.

“Jay Z has personally and graciously promised Rita complete freedom from Roc Nation, the details of which are now being finalized,” King said. “We believe that Roc Nation’s distributor, Sony Music, has required Roc Nation to file this action to preserve whatever rights Sony might have pending resolution.”

Alleging breach of contract, Roc Nation wants that $2 million-plus back — along with unspecified damages for the four albums that have not yet been delivered.

Roc Nation also filed a cross-complaint to Ora’s suit in California with similar allegations on Friday.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

Hollywood's Most Outrageous Lawsuits (Photos)

Between Lindsay Lohan firing back at Fox News, Mariah Carey allegedly short changing her domestic help, and Sly Stone winning millions after suing his ex-manager -- stars often turn to the courts to address their squabbles and strife.
Lindsay Lohan filed suit against Fox News and Sean Hannity on Feb. 2, 2015, after a news correspondent accused Lohan's mom of snorting cocaine with her troubled daughter. It didn't take long for Fox to fire back. “We will defend this case to the fullest,” the network told TheWrap the next day.
OWN
A former nanny for Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon filed a lawsuit on Jan. 28, 2015, alleging she was fired after showing the couple's kids too much affection and did not receive overtime pay despite working 100 hours per week.
Getty Images
Legendary funk artist Sly Stone won $5 million on Jan. 27, 2015, after suing his former manager and entertainment attorney for misappropriating royalties owed him for more than 20 years.
Getty Images
“Real Housewives of Miami” veteran Joanna Krupa slapped “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Brandi Glanville with a slander lawsuit on Jan. 22, 2015, after Glanville allegedly accused Krupa of sleeping with a married man and c
Getty Images
Former “Real Housewives of Orange County” executive producers Patrick Moses and Kevin Kaufman filed a suit against Bravo in Nov. 2014, claiming they were deceitfully ousted from the show and bilked out of millions of dollars after helping to create the show and the franchise.
Bravo
Jessie Nizewitz, a contestant on VH1’s “Dating Naked,” filed suit in New York in Aug. 2014, seeking $10 million in damages for emotional distress, humiliation and embarrassment after the show allegedly failed to properly blur her genitals.
VH1
Octavia Spencer was awarded $940,000 in Dec. 2014 after claiming a weight loss company, Sensa Products Inc., wrongfully fired her from an endorsement deal and still owed her money.
Fox
Former Tinder executive Whitney Wolfe filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against her former company June 2014, alleging she was repeatedly called a "whore" by CMO Justin Mateen and was stripped of her co-founder title simply for being a woman.
Getty Images
Former TMZ producer Jarrett Gaeta slapped his former employer with a lawsuit in June 2014, claiming he was wrongly terminated. Gaeta was let go after a subordinate accused him of "racist behavior," including defending blackface and sending pictures of watermelons to African-American employees.
TMZ
CNN America was sued in Aug. 2014 by a pair of plaintiffs who claim that correspondent Arwa Damon bit one of them and threatened both during a drunken altercation at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
CNN
Former "Scandal" star Columbus Short was sued in June 2014 for allegedly knocking a partygoer unconscious during an engagement party.
ABC/Kelsey McNeal
"Boardwalk Empire" actress Paz de la Huerta sued Lionsgate in Aug. 2014 claiming she was run over by an ambulance while filming "Nurse 3D." Lionsgate filed a motion to dismiss, which De La Huerta opposed on Jan. 23, 2015. Lionsgate then opposed her opposition on Jan. 30, 2015, in a seemingly neverending loop of opposing motions.
Getty Images
Rapper Rakim Mayers, aka A$AP Rocky, was sued in civil court in June 2014 for allegedly assaulting a woman while making his way through a crowd during the 2013 Made in America Festival.
Getty Images
Nicki Minaj’s former hairstylist and wig designer filed a $30 million lawsuit against the rapper in 2014 for allegedly stealing his wig designs and costing him a potential reality show. A judge later dismissed the case for lack of sufficient evidence.
Getty Images
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West filed suit against YouTube founder Chad Hurley on Oct. 31, 2013, claiming he posted a video of the couple’s surprise engagement to his website without permission. The process was delayed when Hurley’s reps filed an anti-SLAPP motion in an attempt to have the case dismissed.
Getty Images
Jahmel Binion filed a lawsuit against Shaquille O’Neal in July 2014 when O’Neal posted a photo to his Instagram account mocking Binion, who suffers from a rare condition that causes facial abnormalities, sparse hair and missing teeth. Binion claimed defamation, emotional distress and invasion of privacy in the $25,000 lawsuit, and after pressure from the public O’Neal apologized.
Getty Images
In 2014 singer Chris Brown was mentioned in a lawsuit filed by the cousin of artist Frank Ocean. The defendant claimed Brown and an associate allegedly kicked and punched him when he confronted them about parking in a spot designated for Ocean at a Los Angeles recording studio. Ocean, who was also injured, later said he wouldn't seek criminal or civil penalties.
Getty Images

1 of 18

From embezzlement to slander, there’s no shortage of celebrity court action

Between Lindsay Lohan firing back at Fox News, Mariah Carey allegedly short changing her domestic help, and Sly Stone winning millions after suing his ex-manager -- stars often turn to the courts to address their squabbles and strife.

View In Gallery

Hollywood's Most Outrageous Lawsuits (Photos)

Related Content

Rita Ora Sues Jay Z Seeking Freedom From ‘Oppressive’ Deal

Rita Ora Sings Clickbait Headlines for Jimmy Kimmel and You Gotta Hear It (Video)

‘Empire’ Season Finale Preview: Watch Rita Ora Perform ‘NY Raining’ (Video)

7DAYFREETRIAL

7
DAY
FREE
TRIAL