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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Zooey Deschanel|Sued for Commissions

LOS ANGELES (CN) - Actress Zooey Deschanel's ex-manager has taken her to court to recover what it says are unpaid commissions for her TV series "New Girl," a Tommy Hilfiger ad campaign and her HelloGiggles website.

Seven Summits Pictures & Management sued Deschanel in Superior Court on Wednesday in a complaint for breach of contract.

The management company alleges that the actress and Grammy-nominated singer avoided paying the commissions by claiming that the signature on her management agreement did not belong to her.

"Further, Deschanel is making the false claim that Seven Summits procured employment for Deschanel when it was not legally permitted to do so," the 13-page complaint states. "Aside from being untrue, Deschanel's claim is not a reasonable excuse for deciding to withhold payment for services from a dutiful adviser who worked diligently for 17 years."

Seven Summits' Sarah Jackson signed Deschanel in 1999 after seeing her perform at the Crossroads college preparatory school in Santa Monica, the company says.

Deschanel gave the company the boot in 2013 but is still obligated to pay 10 percent commissions on deals negotiated while Seven Summits still managed her career, according to the company.

The company says Deschanel "retaliated by ceasing to pay commissions on her projects, including 'New Girl,'" after Seven Summits asked for commissions from income for Deschanel's entertainment and lifestyle website, Hello Giggles.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and consequential damages, an accounting, and costs.

Seven Summits is represented by Bryan Freedman of Freedman Taitelman.

Representatives for Deschanel did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

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