When talent scout Wendy Starland and producer Rob Fusari set out to find a female answer to The Strokes' lead singer, they couldn't possibly have known that their discovery would go on to become a global megastar under the name Lady Gaga.
What they probably also didn't foresee was that their working relationship would turn so sour that it would result in a multi-million dollar lawsuit; one which Starland has now won - pocketing a hefty $7.3 million. Back in 2005 Fusari had asked Starland to find him a star on the understanding that they would split any subsequent profits that were made, but when he allegedly later tried to change the deal, she took it to court… and won.
Lady Gaga (Photo: WENN)
It's taken four years since she first took action, but now she has been awarded a sum that includes around half of the $10.8 million Fusari's company made from their work on Gaga's early work, plus 50% of what they will continue to earn and a one-time sum of $900,000. Fusari's relationship with Gaga herself ended on a sour note when he sued her for $30.5 million back in 2010, and her testimony against him on this occasion could well have strengthened Starland's case.
"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 in a pre-trial 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.”
Wendy Starland (Photo: Facebook)
Now, Starland has told Billboard: "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. 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. These were the specific characteristics of the 'Strokes girl' Fusari identified that he would need to approve before signing her to a production deal. I only brought Rob Fusari one artist for us to work with… and that artist became Lady Gaga."
Rob Fusari (Photo: Facebook)
And of her victory, she said: "It's incredibly validating. It feels great to be acknowledged for my work in discovering and developing Lady Gaga. I knew that the truth was on my side and I felt fortunate that the jury was able to see that.” She is now plotting to launch her own music career with a stadium-rock sound.
Fusari served as co-executive producer on Gaga's debut album The Fame; co-writing and producing tracks such as ‘;Paparazzi', ‘;Beautiful, Dirty, Rich' and ‘;Disco Heaven'. He'd also previously helmed ‘;Bootylicious' for Destiny's Child, ‘;Train On A Track' for Kelly Rowland and an unreleased song for Britney Spears.
