Hollywood Legal Chronicles: 10 Notable Celebrity Lawsuits

Celebrity life may seem like a glamorous world of red carpets and luxury, but it often comes with its fair share of legal battles.

From privacy infringements to contractual disputes, here are ten of the most famous legal sagas involving some popular celebs over the years.

  1. Prince Harry vs. Mirror Group Newspapers (2023)
On Dec. 2023, Prince Harry and his lawyers won the months-long case against Mirror Group Newspapers, the publishers of The Mirror, Sunday Mirror, and more. Image Credit: PA Media via BBC.

Prince Harry secured a victory against Mirror Group Newspapers, accusing them of acquiring information unlawfully through phone-hacking and wire-tapping.

The Duke of Sussex was awarded $180,000 in damages, sending a warning to media organizations about such practices.

  1. Amber Heard vs. Johnny Depp (2022)
Johnny Depp Vs Amber Heard Case Hearing Saw Little Light-Hearted Moment When The Latter Failed To Name His Own Movies. Image Credit: IMDb.

The highly publicized legal battle between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp involved defamation claims over Heard’s op-ed and accusations of abuse. The jury ruled in favor of Depp, awarding him damages, but both parties filed appeals against each other.

  1. Angelina Jolie vs. Brad Pitt (2022)
Angelina Jolie (R) and Brad Pitt. Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Brad Pitt filed a lawsuit against Angelina Jolie over the sale of their vineyard, Chateau Miraval. Jolie countersued for $250 million, alleging vindictiveness. The legal saga continues with requests for additional documents to support claims.

  1. Scarlett Johansson vs. Disney (2021)
Scarlett Johansson. Image Credit: @scarlettjohanssonworld on IG.

Scarlett Johansson filed a lawsuit against Disney, alleging that the simultaneous release of “Black Widow” on streaming and in theaters affected its box office performance.

The parties settled in September 2021, shedding light on the changing dynamics between studios and streaming services.

  1. Nicki Minaj vs. Tracy Chapman (2021)
Tracy Chapman, right, sued Nicki Minaj in late 2018 over a song called “Sorry,” which borrowed heavily from Chapman’s “Baby Can I Hold You.” Image Credit: AP.

Nicki Minaj settled a lawsuit with Tracy Chapman over unauthorized sampling of Chapman’s song. Minaj offered $450,000 to resolve the dispute, emphasizing the protection of artists’ rights.

  1. Meghan Markle vs. Associated Newspapers (2019)
Meghan, duchess of Sussex, at a reception during the Invictus Games, The Hague, Netherlands, 2022. Image Credit: Samir Hussein—WireImage/Getty Images.

Meghan Markle took legal action against Associated Newspapers for publishing a private letter to her father.

The court ruled in her favor in December 2021, highlighting the importance of protecting individuals from breaches of the Data Protection Act and copyright infringement.

7. Blac Chyna vs. The Kardashians (2017)

Blac Chyna now goes by her birth name, Angela White.

Blac Chyna, now Angela White, sued the Kardashian family after the cancellation of her reality show with Rob Kardashian. The jury found the Kardashians not liable in May 2022, dismissing claims of defamation and interference with contractual agreements.

  1. Janice Dickinson vs. Bill Cosby (2017)
Janice Dickinson and Bill Cosby. Image Credit: Getty Images.

Janice Dickinson pursued a defamation case against Bill Cosby, claiming he and his lawyer defamed her after she accused Cosby of drugging and raping her.

The legal battle continued, allowing Dickinson to seek recourse against Cosby’s lawyer.

  1. Jennifer Lawrence & Others vs. Google
Jennifer Lawrence. Image Credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Jennifer Lawrence and other victims of leaked nude photos faced legal battles against websites, including Google, to remove the images. The fight highlighted challenges in protecting privacy and copyright in the digital age.

  1. Britney Spears vs. Jamie Spears
Britney Spears at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards. Image Credit: Ron Wolfson/Wireimage.

Britney Spears’ legal battles with her father, Jamie Spears, spanned over a decade, culminating in the end of her conservatorship in 2021. Allegations of financial mismanagement and surveillance added layers to this high-profile case.

These legal sagas not only reflect the challenges celebrities face but also contribute to shaping legal precedents and raising awareness about critical issues in the entertainment industry.