2 weeks ago
Selena Gomez, Mother Mandy Teefey Sued Over Wondermind Fraud
Selena Gomez is a very famous singer and actress.
She and her mother, Mandy Teefey, started a company called Wondermind.
Wondermind was supposed to help people take care of their mental health, a little like a gym helps people stay physically fit.
Some investors gave Wondermind almost $1.2 million to help the company grow.
The investors say Selena promised to use her huge fan following to promote the company, but they say she did not do the work she agreed to.
They also say the company never built the app it promised and sometimes did not pay its workers on time.
Now those investors are suing Selena, her mom, and another business partner named Daniella Pierson.
Mandy says the investors are listening to lies from unhappy former employees, and Daniella says she never spent investor money on herself.
Selena has not said anything about the lawsuit yet.
A judge will have to decide who is telling the truth.
Investor companies Wondermind SRS 44 LLC and Bespoke Wondermind LLC filed a federal lawsuit in Delaware accusing Selena Gomez, her mother Mandy Teefey and former business partner Daniella Pierson of fraud over mental-health startup Wondermind Global.
Five investors put nearly $1.2 million into Wondermind in 2022 as part of a $5 million round at a reported $95 million valuation backed by Serena Williams's venture fund, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital.
The lawsuit alleges Gomez signed a marketing contract she then ignored, while a promised mobile app, corporate partnerships with companies like JPMorgan, advertising deals and celebrity coverage never materialized.
Investors say Wondermind failed to pay employees and vendors on time and that they only learned of its problems from The Cut's September 2025 expose describing the company in a 'state of utter disarray.'
Teefey dismissed the claims as lies from disgruntled employees; Pierson denied using investor money for personal expenses, including an alleged $60,000-a-month New York rent claim, and Gomez has not publicly responded.
- Who
- Investor companies Wondermind SRS 44 LLC and Bespoke Wondermind LLC (five investors) suing Selena Gomez, her mother Mandy Teefey, Wondermind Global and former business partner Daniella Pierson
- What
- A federal lawsuit alleging securities fraud, common law fraud and breach of contract over the collapse of mental-health startup Wondermind Global, including a promised mobile app that was never built
- Where
- Federal court in Delaware; the investors are based in New York and Florida
- When
- Filed Thursday in federal court in Delaware; investors say they first learned of the company's problems from a September 2025 expose by The Cut
- Why
- Investors say they committed nearly $1.2 million based on founders' representations and promises that never materialized, and received no warning while the company quietly collapsed
Investors / Plaintiffs
Gomez, Teefey & Pierson (Defendants)
Company performance and accountability
Investors / Plaintiffs
Investors allege Gomez signed a contract as head of marketing and ignored it, and that Wondermind failed even its most basic obligations, such as timely paying employees and vendors, while the promised mobile app was never built.
Gomez, Teefey & Pierson (Defendants)
Mandy Teefey dismissed the claims as lies spread by 'a few disgruntled employees with an ax to grind' and said the media is amplifying their distortions of the truth.
Allegations against Mandy Teefey
Investors / Plaintiffs
Investors say a September 2025 report by The Cut detailed allegations of Teefey's alleged substance abuse disorder and gross mismanagement of the company.
Gomez, Teefey & Pierson (Defendants)
Teefey denied the substance abuse allegations and claims that the company was in disarray.
Responsibility for the collapse and Pierson
Investors / Plaintiffs
Investors claim that for three years, while the company quietly collapsed, none of its founders, officers or directors said a word to the investors whose money was funding the collapse; they also allege Teefey told them Pierson used company funds toward her New York rent.
Gomez, Teefey & Pierson (Defendants)
Teefey reportedly blamed former business partner Daniella Pierson when confronted; Pierson denied using investor money for personal expenses and said she welcomes the chance to present documentation and financial records.
Key facts
- Company
- Wondermind Global, a mental-health startup launched in 2021
- Plaintiffs
- Wondermind SRS 44 LLC and Bespoke Wondermind LLC, on behalf of five investors
- Investment at stake
- Nearly $1.2 million (around £890,000)
- 2022 funding round
- $5 million raised at a reported $95 million valuation; backers included Serena Williams's venture fund, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital
- Leadership roles
- Gomez was co-founder, chief impact officer and head of marketing; Teefey was co-CEO
- Ownership
- Gomez, Teefey and Pierson collectively held nearly 90% of the company's shares
- Notable investor
- Bausch + Lomb chief executive Brent Saunders; investors based in New York and Florida
- Legal claims
- Securities fraud, common law fraud and breach of contract; suit filed in federal court in Delaware
Quotes
Mandy Teefey
Mother of Selena Gomez and former Wondermind Global executive
“We want to keep the conversation just like real talk and relatable to everyone. "We are three founders living with mental illness, we don't have the answers. So I feel like we're going to be together in the process, not talking down, we will be talking together."”
livemint.com
“"It's unfortunate that a few disgruntled employees with an ax to grind can spread lies about me and distort the truth. Even more disappointing that the media is willing to amplify their lies."”
deccanchronicle.com
republicworld.com
livemint.com
Anonymous lawsuit claim
Statement from the lawsuit filed by Wondermind SRS 44 LLC and Bespoke Wondermind LLC
“"For three years, while the company quietly collapsed around them, not one of its founders, officers or directors said a word to the investors whose money was funding the collapse."”
deccanchronicle.com
“The claim alleges that a “full slate” of advertising deals, celebrity cover stories, an app and other initiatives were underway.”
easterneye.biz
Sources
Selena Gomez mental health startup in legal trouble over allegations of fraud
Selena Gomez, Mom Mandy Teefey Sued Over Alleged Business Fraud
Mother-daughter startup turns legal battle: Selena Gomez, Mandy Teefey sued over collapse of mental health app Wondermind
Selena Gomez, Mom Mandy Teefey Sued Over Alleged Business Fraud
Selena Gomez and her mom sued over alleged fraud in connection with mental-health startup Wondermind: Details
Selena Gomez Faces Lawsuit Over Wondermind Investor Claims
Selena Gomez’s Wondermind promised mental fitness. Now its investors are taking the founders to court
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