Ariana Grande is done giving music readers the last laugh.
The pop superstar has launched legal action against two unidentified people who she says hacked into the private digital accounts of photographers and producers in her inner circle, allegedly walking away with a treasure trove of unreleased material.
According to a complaint filed Monday, July 27, the stolen content includes unreleased songs, behind-the-scenes photos, and video and audio footage from Grande’s creative process — material she says was never intended for the public to see or hear.
The lawsuit also alleges that the alleged hackers cashed in by selling the stolen files on the dark web.
“In 2023 alone, 45 unreleased songs belonging to Ms. Grande were hacked, stolen and leaked by the defendants,” the complaint alleged. “Since her music debut in 2011, hundreds of similar leaks have occurred.”
Grande is also asking the court to help identify the people behind the alleged cyber attacks.
“The lawsuit is intended to serve as a deterrent against future actions of this nature — not only directed at Ariana, but also the many artists who have suffered similar violations of their privacy and theft of their creative work,” a source close to Grande told People magazine.
“Artists deserve the right to control how and when their art is shared with the world. The illegal theft and distribution of creative work undermines that right and should not be tolerated.”
Ironically, the singer was joking about sending hotties to jail long before this lawsuit materialized.
While promoting Eternal sunshine on Zach sang showshe responded to the viral leak of Fantasize with a warning that now feels surprisingly prophetic.
“He’s just been such an incredible friend the last few years,” she said of Max Martin.
“We were — before I left for Wicked — a couple of studio sessions that I did that are all over TikTok, thank you very much, I want to see you in jail. Literally,” she continued.
“They’re all written for a TV show, for something that wasn’t for me, so ‘Fantasize’ comes out, crazy, was stolen … these pirates, villains, illegals!”
