Judge tosses out $30 million wig lawsuit against Nicki Minaj by her former hair stylist and wig designer

By Tenisha Mercer 
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

A federal judge has thrown out a $30 million lawsuit against platinum recording artist Nicki Minaj by her former hairstylist, who claimed the rapper stole his colorful, eccentric wig designs.

In a federal lawsuit filed earlier this year, Terrence Davidson of Georgia had claimed that Maraj, who's government name is Onika Maraj, also broke contracts and reneged on discussions to launch a reality show and wig line. 

But U.S. District Judge Harold Murphy ruled Davidson did not have valid claims against Minaj and her company, Pink Personality LLC.

In the lawsuit, David said he began working as Minaj's hair stylist in 2010, creating multiple wigs that Minaj wore to the MTV Awards, during media appearances and music videos. He claimed that he turned down a reality show to work with Minaj and the wig line. He stopped working as her stylist in early 2013 and claimed Mina stole his designs and started her own line.


Minaj's lawyers said Davidson is upset he lost a famous client and sought to take advantage of his former client's fame.

Minaj's flamboyant, brightly-colored wigs were a big part of her image up until recently, as the rapper has begun to tone down her look. Davidson claims he's also worked wig singer Patti Labelle and rapper Remy Ma.

Atlanta wig maker sues rapper Nicki Minaj for $30 million

By Tenisha Mercer
www.HairNista.Blogspot.com

She's known as much by her raw lyrics as she is by her colorful wigs and eccentric hairstyles. And now an Atlanta 'wig guru' and hair stylist is suing top-selling rapper Nicki Minaj for $30 million, claming she stole the colorful wig designs he created.

The wig that Nicki Minaj is wearing is at the heart of a lawsuit

Terrence Davidson filed suit in district court in Atlanta on Friday.  In his complaint, he alleges that Minaj stole his designs AND cost him a reality show deal. Davidson began working as Minaj's hair stylist in January 2011, and later began making wigs that she wore for appearances.

Those wigs are at the heart of Davidson's lawsuit, because he claims the wigs are now for sale under Minaj's name -- without his permission -- on her site and in other retail outlets.

"I see these wigs online," Davidson, who has also worked with Patty Labelle and rapper Remy Ma, told CNN. He has also worked with others in the industry, including singer Patti LaBelle and rapper Remy Ma. "People are basically duplicating what I created for Nicki Minaj."