Connect with us

Trending

15 Famous People Who Had Wild Legal Battles With Their Parents Or Straight-Up Fired Them

Published

on

Corey Feldman, star of The Goonies and Stand by Me, said, “I knew how to read a contract by 10 years old, but I didn’t know what it meant for somebody to come in and tell me they loved me and kiss me goodnight.”

1.

Beyoncé


Kevin Winter / Getty Images for Parkwood Entertainment

In 2011, the pop star fired her father, Mathew, who’d been her manager for over 15 years. During an interview with Oprah, she said it was “one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.” She shared that while she loved her father, taking this next step in her career was “a part of growth.”

But career progression and self-growth might not have been the only reasons. The year before Beyoncé made the announcement, her father had a child with his mistress, Alexsandra Wright. Beyoncé’s mom, Tina, finalized her divorce from Mathew in 2011.


Michael Caulfield Archive / WireImage / Getty Images

Additionally, Live Nation reports claimed that Mathew “had stolen money from Beyoncé on her most recent tour or otherwise taken funds that [he] was not entitled to.” Beyoncé ordered an audit that apparently confirmed Live Nation’s findings, but her father denied the allegations.


Kevin Winter / Getty Images

2.

Leighton Meester


Jim Spellman / WireImage / Getty Images

In 2001, the Gossip Girl actor sued her mother, Constance, for misuse of money. Leighton said she sent her mom $7,500/month to cover brother Alexander’s medical expenses, but Constance spent that money on cosmetic procedures, including plastic surgery, Botox, and hair extensions. Leighton also said that her mother threatened to sue her if she didn’t raise the monthly allowance to $10,000.


Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Constance filed a countersuit for $3 million claiming that she had “sacrificed her happiness” to support her daughter’s career. She said that Leighton had broken several agreements, so she was owed the money. Constance also argued that Leighton’s brother required ’round-the-clock care, and without Leighton’s payments, there were “no funds to feed and care for Alexander.”


Gregg Deguire / FilmMagic / Getty Images

Leighton filed a demurrer that shut down some of Constance’s claims, including one that her mom was the victim of dependent adult financial abuse (meaning the traditional mother-daughter roles were flipped and Constance was financially dependent on Leighton). Constance ended up withdrawing her claims, and the judge ruled in Leighton’s favor, ensuring Constance was not entitled to her daughter’s money.


Tommaso Boddi / WireImage / Getty Images

3.

Aaron Carter


Presley Ann / Getty Images for WE tv

In 2003, the singer accused his mother, Jane, of removing over $100,000 from his bank account without permission. He fired her as his manager and filed for emancipation at 16 years old. “I feel betrayed by own mother,” he said in a statement. “I worked hard for months – 10/11 hours a day, not including school and press appearances – and I come home and owe money!”


Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

A month later, he and his mother appeared to resolve the dispute as he chose not to pursue emancipation and reinstated her as a manager. However, in a 2019 episode of Marriage Boot Camp: Family Edition, Aaron was asked what he would tell his younger self. He responded, “I would tell you that you should’ve did it; you should have gotten emancipated.”

4.

Rihanna


Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2 Presented by Amazon Prime Video

In 2019, the singer accused her father, Ronald, and his business partner of misrepresenting a company they started without her knowledge, Fenty Entertainment. According to the lawsuit, Ronald sent out a press release stating the company was created with his daughter and “used these lies in a fraudulent effort to solicit millions of dollars from unsuspecting third parties.”


Lester Cohen / WireImage / Getty Images

Rihanna said that Ronald tried to book her on a Latin America tour for $15 million and additional shows for $400,000. Apparently, Ronald also tried to register “Fenty” with the patent office, even though Rihanna has held multiple trademarks for it for years. In 2021, she dropped the lawsuit against her father.


Caroline Mccredie / Getty Images for Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

5.

LeAnn Rimes


Steve Granitz / WireImage / Getty Images

In 2000, the singer began a legal battle against her father, Wilbur, and former co-manager Lyle Walker, who worked with her dad. At 17 years old, she accused the men of stealing over $7 million over five years by duplicating management and producer fees, giving themselves no-interest loans, and paying themselves more in royalties than LeAnn herself. Both men denied the allegations, and Wilbur filed a countersuit against his daughter.


Ron Galella, Ltd. / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

In 2001, LeAnn and Lyle Walker settled, though the suit against her father was not settled until the following year. The week before her wedding, the singer decided she wanted to repair her relationship with her dad. They settled the lawsuit and shared a traditional father-daughter dance at her wedding. “There’s so much more life ahead of me. To carry on a burden of hating someone…it’s just not worth it,” LeAnn told ABC News.


Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

6.

Macaulay Culkin


Kimberly White / Getty Images for Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center

Growing up, the Home Alone actor was managed by his dad, Kit, who was known throughout Hollywood as an aggressive bully. On numerous occasions, Macaulay has spoken out about his father’s physical and mental abuse.


Francis Apesteguy / Getty Images

When the child actor was 16, his parents separated and battled in court over custody of their seven children and Macaulay’s money. “I had millions and millions of dollars in the bank, and my mother couldn’t pay the rent because she was spending all of her money on lawyers,” he told New York Magazine. “We were about to get evicted from our apartment. The only way I could get access to that money was to take my father’s name off it, but I didn’t want to make it messy, so I figured I’d take both their names off.”


Francis Apesteguy / Getty Images

Kit never showed up to the final day of the trial, and Macaulay hasn’t had any contact with his father since. In 2016, Kit told the Daily Mail, “I don’t consider him a son anymore.”


Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

7.

Ariel Winter


Amy Sussman / Getty Images

When the Modern Family actor was 12 years old, the Department of Children and Family Services found evidence of physical and emotional abuse from her mother. Ariel’s older sister took over as guardian, and two years later, they began a three-year legal battle against their mother for emancipation. Since Ariel achieved her independence, she has not had contact with her mother.


Amanda Edwards / Getty Images

“It has been very sad for me, but at the same time, it’s been much better for me emotionally and physically to be on my own and have a better, safer household and support system,” she said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. “At the end of the day, it was what I needed to do.”

8.

Corey Feldman


Jerod Harris / Getty Images

At 14 years old, the Stand by Me actor asked about his career earnings and how much remained. He was told that he’d made about $1 million, but there was only $40,000 left. The following year, he was granted emancipation from his parents. However, his father demanded that last $40,000, and Corey paid it, putting him in debt at 15.


Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

“Child stars have nothing,” he told ABC News. “They have no choice… I was never taught how to have a family. I was never taught how to raise a child because I wasn’t raised properly. I was never taught how to care for somebody because I was never shown genuine love. I knew how to read a contract by 10 years old, but I didn’t know what it meant for somebody to come in and tell me they loved me and kiss me goodnight. That’s a problem.”


Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

9.

Usher


Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

The singer fired his mother, Jonetta, as his manager in 2007 – just a few months before he married Tameka Foster. In a statement, Usher said that he and his mom “support each other in our life’s endeavors” but would resume a mother-son relationship “with no added pressure.”


Bill Davila / FilmMagic / Getty Images

However, his mother famously refused to attend his wedding with Tameka, so rumors swirled over the real reason behind Usher firing Jonetta.


Kevin Mazur / WireImage / Getty Images

In 2008, Usher rehired Jonetta as his manager. The following year, he and Tameka divorced; not long after, he started dating Grace Miguel, who he would later marry. Grace soon replaced Jonetta as Usher’s manager.


Tiffany Rose / Getty Images

10.

Jena Malone


John Shearer / Getty Images

At 14 years old, the Hunger Games actor accused her mom of “squandering” over $1 million of her money through “excessive spending and mismanagement.” Her mother allegedly drained her college fund and left Jena owing $20,000 in back taxes. The following year, Jena won emancipation from her mother.


Amanda Edwards / Getty Images

Over the years, the two have worked on their relationship and become very close. When Jena became a single mom overnight, she moved in with her mother. “She helped and supported me through one of the hardest transitions I’ve ever been through,” Jena wrote on Instagram. “And slowly but surely, she has become the best friend I have ever had. I’m in awe of what time allows us and what time teaches us. I’m in awe of the mother daughter bond that spans decades and lifetimes and waits for the perfect moment to bloom.”

11.

Janet Jackson


Greg Doherty / Getty Images

Earlier this year, a four-part documentary dropped where she addressed her complicated relationship with her father, Joe. She revealed that she actually wanted to attend college and become an entertainment lawyer, but he forced her to become a singer once he realized her talent. He was initially in full control of her career and decided everything about her first album, from the cover to the songs.


Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

“I wanted my own identity, but at that time, my father was in charge of my life, my career, and he was my manager,” she said. “It’s hard to say no to my father, so in order to do things the way I wanted to do, I guess he would have to be out of the picture…I wanted to go on my own.” She ended up firing Joe before recording her second album, Control, which went on to become one of the most iconic and influential albums of the ’80s.


Jim Smeal / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

12.

Drew Barrymore


Jason Kempin / Getty Images

Growing up, the actor had a complicated relationship with her mother, Jaid. After Drew became addicted to cocaine at 12 years old, her mom put her in rehab. A year later, Jaid committed her daughter to a mental institution. And the year after that, Drew was granted emancipation at just 14.


Yvonne Hemsey / Getty Images

Last year, Drew opened up about how much their relationship has improved on The Howard Stern Show. “I felt so guilty denying my mom access to me. It felt like I was cutting off the source of life… Definitely the worst pain I’ve ever known. And I just thought, I have to let this go. What is this doing for either of us?” She shared that she has more empathy for Jaid now that she’s a mother herself, and told Howard that “there is healing there. I feel goodness toward my mom.”


Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

13.

Mischa Barton


Paul Archuleta / Getty Images

The actor, best known for her role on The O.C., sued her mother, Nuala, in 2015 for exploitation, fraud, bullying, and verbal abuse. She claimed that her mom lied about the actor’s earnings so she could pocket the difference. She also alleged that Nuala used Mischa’s name to create handbag and fashion lines without compensating her.


Denise Truscello / WireImage / Getty Images

Additionally, the lawsuit claimed that Nuala persuaded her to buy a $7.8 million house in Beverly Hills as an investment, but her mom structured the purchase so she owned half of the property. Mischa claimed she was not even allowed at the expensive home, where her mom and dad lived. In 2016, the actor dismissed the suit.


Dave M. Benett / Getty Images

14.

Gary Coleman


Jeffrey Mayer / WireImage / Getty Images

In 1989, the Diff’rent Strokes actor sued his manager and parents for misappropriating $3.8 million of his assets. His parents countersued and tried to place him in a conservatorship where they would control the personal, medical, and financial aspects of his life.


Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

The following year, a judge ruled that Gary did “not come close” to the standard necessary for a conservatorship. Three years later, he won the lawsuit and nearly $1.3 million, much of which went to lawyer fees. He remained estranged from his parents until his death in 2010. His parents planned to take his body back to his boyhood home until they learned about his will that did not leave them anything.


Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

15.

And finally, Kobe Bryant


Kevin Winter / Getty Images

In 2013, Kobe’s parents, Joe and Pamela, tried to auction off some of their son’s memorabilia, including high school uniforms and a pair of Lakers championship rings he gifted them. When Kobe found out, he filed a lawsuit against his parents and the company that was selling his belongings. The company sued Kobe back and said that Pamela was the owner of the items and that they had already given her an advance of $450,000 to buy a new house for her and Joe.


Andrew D. Bernstein / NBAE via Getty Images

A settlement was reached that allowed less than 10% of the items to be auctioned. Joe and Pamela said in a statement, “We regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia. We apologize for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we have caused our son and appreciate the financial support he has provided over the years.”


Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Kobe did not speak with his parents for years. In 2016, he told ESPN, “Our relationship is shit. I say [to them], ‘I’m going to buy you a very nice home,’ and the response is ‘That’s not good enough?’ Then you’re selling my shit?”


Christian Petersen / Getty Images

Kobe was reportedly repairing his relationship with his parents soon before he died. Wayne Slappy, a former NBA coach, said he recently saw Kobe and Joe hug at a baseball camp in California. “I just remember being with him up at his camp in Santa Barbara and seeing him hug his dad,” Wayne said. “You know how they loved each other from how they looked at each other, how they smiled.”


Andrew D. Bernstein / NBAE via Getty Images

Know any other celebrities who fired their parents or had intense legal drama with them? Let me know in the comments below!

Trending

I Went To Morocco And Portugal For 10 Days With Only A Backpack And Small Carry On Bag…Here Are 15 Items That Made The Cut

Published

on

This set includes a high quality plastic bag, four bottles (two different sizes), four jars (two different sizes), two spray bottles, two product spoons, one funnel, one cleaning brush, and one page of labels.

Before buying this I had just a hodgepodge of random travel size products and a bag that didn’t really fit any of it. I wanted to find a cohesive set, all of which actually had a place to go. Enter this guy. Not only is it all matching, but the variety of bottles, jars, and spray bottles is super convenient for all kinds of different products. The labels are also really helpful for making sure you don’t end up conditioning your hair with body wash. The bottles are incredibly easy to fill because the openings are super wide and you can easily pour directly from the full size bottle.

Promising review: “I absolutely love this travel set!! First of all it looks great, clean, classic. Not only does it come with bottles and jars and spray bottles, it also comes with a spoon, a funnel, a cleaning brush and a page of labels. They thought of everything. The larger bottles for shampoo etc, are made of silicone, so you can squeeze the product out. My favorite thing about this set is the size. It fits into luggage so easily.” —Funnymom

Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

Continue Reading

Trending

17 Solo Travel Safety Tips By Women, For Women

Published

on

17 Safety Tips For Women Traveling Alone

I’ve cried on my couch while watching Eat, Pray, Love more times than I’m willing to publicly admit. Apart from inspiring me to sob alone in my apartment, it also inspires me to live my Julia Roberts dreams and travel alone. The only problem is that I’m SCARED. There’s no way I can comfortably eat, pray, or love on a trip unless I feel safe, protected, and relaxed.

1.

“The best advice I’ve heard as a solo female traveler is if there aren’t local women out alone, you shouldn’t be either.”

—u/itstrashbuddy

2.

“Take self-defense classes so you know how to look after yourself if the worst thing happens. You’ll feel more confident in yourself.”

3.

“I take a tampon out of the applicator, roll up my cash, and put it in the empty applicator. I use my flat iron to reseal the wrapper. Someone may steal my wallet, but no one is stealing tampons.”

—nicoleb4563bf301

4.

“Both Android and iPhones have safety SOS settings. You can configure them to call emergency services with options that you can do without even taking your phone out of your pocket and attracting attention.”

5.

“If you feel uncomfortable around people when you get somewhere alone, you can make a ‘fake phone call.’ Say something like, ‘Can you open the door for me when I get the room?’ so no one knows that you’re alone.”

—Anonymous

6.

“If you’re looking to scare someone off, be unhinged. While walking or waiting for the bus, if I get a creep vibe, I stare intensely at something and talk to myself. The less sense it makes, the better.”

7.

“I travel internationally by myself for work a few times a year, and when looking at hotels, I always do a run-through on Google street view of the surroundings so I’ll know what to expect. It helps to feel more comfortable somewhere new after I get the lay of the land.”

—Anonymous

8.

“Write down important phone numbers on pieces of paper and leave a copy in your hotel room, another on you, and another in each suitcase just in case you lose your phone and don’t have important contacts memorized.”

9.

“Ignore people! A lot of the worst behavior I have experienced as a woman on my own comes from business owners who think a female tourist is an easy target for a flirtatious or aggressive sales tactic or men in bars or cafes who think that makes you an easy pick up. Most people with less-than-honorable intentions will back off if you really don’t engage with them!”

—Anonymous

10.

“Get a bag with a zipper! Makes it way harder for anyone to pickpocket you.”

11.

“I’m single and when I went to Cape Town, I visited a local brewery. When a guy started to chat me up, I got a weird feeling…so I mentioned that my ‘wife’ was on her way over and pulled up my friend’s Instagram that has a ton of photos of me and her together and he immediately changed the conversation and tone with me from flirting.”

—Anonymous

12.

“Always share your location with anyone back home — no matter the time difference. It helps in emergencies to track your last known location.”

13.

“Buy a door jammer for your hotel room! It fits perfectly in checked luggage and won’t take up any room in a car. It’s lightweight and could save your life. If you want to add another layer of safety, pack rubber door stoppers.”

—Anonymous

14.

“I always tell anyone I meet while solo traveling that I’m meeting up with friends later. It’s always better for people to think that you have someone who would immediately notice if something happened to you.”

15.

“My friend’s aunt is ALWAYS traveling alone. If she stops at a hotel, especially if there are lurkers around, she always tells the person at the desk that she and some friends are there for a martial arts conference.”

—theicebox720

16.

“I only stay in hotels with doors on the inside (no cabanas, no cottages, no motels) so someone has to walk past an employee or a camera to get to my door.”

17.

And finally, “Nothing wrong with carrying pepper spray.”

—u/sepstolm

I can never get enough of these travel tips! It’s scary out there, so if there’s anything I can do to feel a little less anxious, I’ll do it. Let me know in the comments if you have more safety advice for women traveling alone!

Continue Reading

Trending

Shakira Has Been Accused Of Tax Evasion For A Second Time After Allegedly Failing To Pay $7.1 Million In Taxes

Published

on

Shakira Accused Of Tax Evasion For A Second Time

For a second time, Shakira is facing tax evasion charges in Spain.

On Tuesday, the Associated Press obtained a statement from Spanish prosecutors accusing the iconic singer of failing to pay around $7.1 million (€6.7 million) in taxes on her income in the year 2018.

According to Reuters, Shakira — who is Columbian — failed to declare the profits from a $12.5 million advance payment she received for her El Dorado World Tour that year, as well as other payments. She’s being accused by prosecutors of using an offshore company located in a tax haven to get out of paying the tax.

Per the AP, the singer has been informed of the charges in Miami, where she currently lives with her two sons, 10-year-old Milan and 8-year-old Sasha, who she shares with her ex, Gerard Piqué. However, her legal team purportedly claimed that she wasn’t notified, and found out through the media.

The new charges come two months after a Spanish court announced that Shakira would be investigated for alleged fraud on personal income and wealth tax in 2018.

After these reports surfaced, a representative for the singer told People that she “defends having always acted in accordance with the law and under the advice of the best tax experts,” and “is confident that there will be a favorable resolution of her tax issues.”

Of course, this is not the first time Shakira has been caught up in tax fraud allegations. In November, she is expected to stand trial in a previous $15 million tax evasion case, in which she is accused of allegedly not paying taxes between the years 2012 and 2014.

For a bit of context, both of these legal disputes center around where Shakira officially lived in the years she is accused of evading tax.

In the first case, prosecutors argue that Shakira spent more than half of her time in Spain between 2012 and 2014, and therefore was obliged to pay taxes in the country.

They allege that the Barcelona property she and Piqué bought in 2012 was her official home. However, Shakira has disputed this and denied any wrongdoing, claiming instead that her primary residence was located in the Bahamas.

According to the AP, Shakira’s team alleged that she paid the Spanish Tax Agency the amount she was said to have owed, and has no outstanding debts.

After she reportedly rejected a settlement deal offered by prosecutors last year, the case will go to trial. If she is found guilty she could face a $24 million fine and a possible eight-year prison sentence.

As it stands, neither Shakira nor her team have commented on the new charges. BuzzFeed has reached out to a representative for Shakira for comment.

Continue Reading

Trending