Selena Gomez Is Fighting to Get Herself Out of ‘Absurd’ Fraud Lawsuit
Two weeks after investors sued Selena Gomez for fraud over her mental health startup Wondermind, her legal team filed a motion to dismiss on Wednesday — and they're not being subtle about how they feel.
"Today's motion to dismiss demonstrates that plaintiffs never should have dragged Selena Gomez into this case," said attorney Mathew S. Rosengart, who previously represented Britney Spears in her conservatorship battle. "The notion that Selena engaged in 'fraud' or any other wrongdoing is absurd — and in addition to filing our motion we are exploring other avenues of relief for Ms. Gomez including sanctions against plaintiffs for improperly including her."
That last part — the threat of sanctions — means Gomez's team is so confident in their position that they're asking the court to potentially punish the investors for bringing the claims against her at all.
What the Investors Are Claiming
The lawsuit was filed August 13 in federal court in Delaware by two investment entities against Gomez, her mother Mandy Teefey, former Wondermind co-CEO Daniella Pierson, and the company itself. The investors say they put nearly $1.2 million into Wondermind based on representations they now claim were false.
The complaint accuses the defendants of misrepresenting the company's finances, overstating Gomez's future involvement, and misrepresenting Teefey's fitness to lead — the latter tied to a 2025 article detailing allegations of company mismanagement and substance abuse.
Why Gomez Says She Shouldn't Be in This at All
Her attorneys argue the complaint doesn't point to a single false statement Gomez personally made to investors. She wasn't on the board. She never agreed to manage the company. She didn't hold a minority stake.
Her role was that of a consultant — given the title of Chief Impact Officer. Teefey and Pierson handled management as co-CEOs and board members. Gomez co-founded the company and lent it her name and platform. That, her team argues, is not fraud.
"The mere fact that Ms. Gomez — who is literally one of the world's busiest women — might have had the ability to request information by virtue of being a co-founder/consultant is not enough," the motion reads. "The lack of a single allegation that Ms. Gomez ever said anything about Wondermind's operational state or financial condition requires dismissal of the fraud claims against Ms. Gomez."
What Wondermind Actually Was
Wondermind launched in 2022 as a mental health and "mental fitness" platform co-founded by Gomez, Teefey, and entrepreneur Daniella Pierson. Gomez's celebrity profile gave the startup immediate visibility in a crowded wellness space. The company raised funding and launched with ambitious plans around content, community features, and brand partnerships.
Behind the scenes, according to the investors' lawsuit, the reality was different from what they were told. They claim they were misled about the company's leadership, finances, and the extent of Gomez's planned involvement. A 2025 magazine article raised questions about internal dysfunction. By the time the lawsuit was filed this month, the company appeared to be in serious distress.
Where Things Stand
Pierson has previously denied wrongdoing, saying she "welcomes the opportunity to present concrete documentation and financial records that establish the facts" and has never used investor funds for personal expenses. Teefey and Wondermind haven't publicly responded to the dismissal motion.
The broader lawsuit against Wondermind, Teefey, and Pierson remains active regardless of what happens to Gomez's motion. A federal judge hasn't ruled yet.
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