Four years after a lawsuit that featured two talent scouts responsible for Lady Gaga, a decision was finally made, awarding plaintiff Wendy Starland at least $7.3 million. Starland had worked with Rob Fusari, who collaborated with the pop star to create some of her first singles including—"Paparazzi"—before Gaga went her own way during 2010.
"Fusari asked me to find an artist under the age of 25 who could be the female equivalent to the lead singer of The Strokes," Starland told Billboard. "I had attended about 50 live performances and searched for countless hours online before finding an artist who fit the bill. Someone who was edgy and bold. Someone you couldn't take you eyes off of."
That individual ended up being Stefani Germanotta, who paid off big time.
Fusari and Starland reportedly had an oral agreement regarding the split of revenues from their new star until the former cut ties. Generally it's tough to bring justice to the violation of oral agreements because, well, there's no physical evidence that it actually existed (get things done on paper people!). Starland was fortunate to have one key witness testifying on her behalf: Gaga herself.
"My understanding was that Wendy and him had initially agreed upon 50/50 perhaps before Wendy ever found me, and after I was signed to Rob and made music, Rob began to change his mind," she said during a deposition. "Rob told me himself. Wendy told me herself. They both spoke of the deal, agreement, in front of me, and one time, maybe two, at Wendy's apartment. Paperwork came through her fax machine, and I know that it was from Rob."
Of course, it didn't hurt Starland's cause that Fusari tried to sue Gaga for contract violations during 2010.
The final amount to be awarded to Starland includes roughly half of what Fusari earned from his business relationship with Gaga and a one-time payment of 900,000. Fusari will also pay half of what he earns from Gaga's career from here on out.
