Vanessa's Scantily Paid Legal Fees?
Back-to-school hasn't been the greatest season for Vanessa Hudgens after all.
The scandal-tinged High School Musical star was sued Monday for breach of contract by her former lawyer who says that the 18-year-old hasn't yet paid a $150,000 bill.
In his complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Brian L. Schall claims that Hudgens has raked in more than $ 5 million from songwriting and recording deals that he helped negotiate starting Oct. 1, 2005.
The attorney, who is also alleging unjust enrichment, states that he advanced costs and expenses for the teenager while working on her behalf. In return, Hudgens contracted with Schall to pay him five percent of her gross earnings from the aforementioned deals—and to keep paying him up until 12 months after their lawyer-client relationship had ended.
Hudgens has paid him some of what she owes, but not all, Schall says.
"Perhaps Vanessa Hudgens, the star of Disney's High School Musical and its sequel, needs to go back to school to learn a very basic lesson in contractual obligations," the lawsuit reads. "If you ask a lawyer to work for you…you are—no matter how talented and successful you may be—supposed to pay the lawyer for his work."
While the future of her burgeoning recording career, as well as her future at Disney, is unknown, Hudgens, who has been keeping a low profile since year-old naked pictures of her hit the Internet two weeks ago, can at least fall back—for now—on the fact that she has starred in two of the most successful cable-TV movies ever.
The first High School Musical has been seen by more than 250 million people around the globe since premiering on the Disney Channel last year and HSM 2's premiere brought in 17.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched cable telecast of all time.
The HSM juggernaut helped Hugdens land at number seven on Forbes' list of top earners under the age of 21 with $2 million.
Hudgens appeared on the franchise's two soundtrack albums and toured with the HSM cast, and, after inking a deal with Hollywood Records, released her own album, V, last September.
She was also named Choice Breakout Singer at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards in August, beating out Katharine McPhee, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Corinne Bailey Rae.
And, as it turned out, Hudgens definitely ended up separating herself from the pack.
The Big Picture
Glassy Lassie Flashing some casual cool, Jessica Simpson shows off her big...sunglasses in WeHo
More PhotosMost Commented
- Twilight Rewind: Hot Dish From the Cast Last Year! (798)
- Costars and Suits Give Robsten Their Blessings! (648)
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (587)
- Blab Blab Blab: Is Twilight Sexist? (552)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (439)
- Why Won't Sarah Palin Go Away? (437)
- Bitch-Back! What's Brad Got to Do With It? (425)
- Is Ugly Betty Ending? And Who Gets the Girl? (393)
- Ridiculous Twilight Hookups in an "All Taken" Cast (348)
Top 10 Stories
- Jon (Plus Flowers) & Kate Reunite to Put Finishing Touches on Divorce
- New Moon Eclipses Dark Knight!
- Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray & More Continue Singing Oprah's Praises
- Michael Jackson's Doc Shipped Propofol From Vegas to L.A., Records Show
- Unleashed Fangirls Derail Justin Bieber Appearance
- Miley Cyrus' Tour Bus in Deadly Crash
- Good News for Miley: She's Officially Not a Racist
- New Moon's "Absolutely Freakish" Debut
- Snipes Appeals Overly Taxing Prison Sentence
- Carrie Prejean's Biblical Boobs Are A-OK!
Fashion Police
Green With Envy?Not quite, but we do give Kristen props for this shot of color during her New Moon press tour
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
3 Comments
-
Show the next 1 - 0 of 3 comments
Now loading...