Entertainment

Here’s Why Rihanna Is Suing Her Own Father

(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Fenty x Puma)

Jena Greene Reporter
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It seems like Rihanna can’t trust anyone, not even her own father.

The pop star, fashion icon and now beauty mogul is suing her dad over a name disagreement. Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, filed a lawsuit this week claiming her father, Ronald Fenty, is using her name in an effort to make money. (RELATED: Snapchat Apologizes For Running ‘Disgusting’ Domestic Violence Ad About Rihanna)

The matters are relatively complicated, but the basic gist of the situation is this: Rihanna owns and runs a highly successful cosmetics company called Fenty Beauty. With over 6 million Instagram followers, it’s one of the most successful newcomer cosmetic companies today. It did $1oo million in sales during its first 40 days on the market alone.

She’s also affiliated with several spin-off companies with her namesake, like lingerie company Savage X Fenty and the ath-leisure collaboration line with Puma, called Fenty X Puma.

In the suit, Rihanna alleges that her father and a friend named Moses Perkins founded their own Fenty company called Fenty Entertainment, and they’re trying to profit off of her name to get rich.

The suit, obtained by The Blast, claims in part, “Although Mr. Fenty is Rihanna’s father, he does not have, and never has had, authority to act on Rihanna’s behalf.”

Rihanna’s legal team says her dad somehow managed to book appearances that made him millions of dollars using their common name. He managed to profit handsomely off his appearances, booking a $15 million tour in Latin America, two tours in Los Angeles and one in Las Vegas that made him $400,000.

Rihanna reportedly sent several cease-and-desist letters before suing him, but to no avail. She’s now seeking an injunction against him, as well as damages. No word on how much the singer wants from him.

It’s worth noting that Rihanna had a troubled childhood, due largely in part to her father. She claims she suffered greatly during her upbringing in the Barbados; her father was addicted to alcohol and crack cocaine and she was forced to help her mother raise her siblings on her own.

 

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Donald Fenty has since apologized for his addiction, however he has minimal contact with his daughter.

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