Zooey Deschanel Puts Wronged Foot Forward

Actress sues Steve Madden, claims she's owed $1.5 million for endorsement deal

By Natalie Finn Dec 18, 2010 1:59 AMTags
Zooey DeschanelJohn Shearer/Getty Images for The Hollywood Film Festival

At least she got a vegetarian, gluten-free birthday feast for doing Top Chef.

But Zooey Deschanel claims she got stiffed on the $1.5 million she was promised by trendy footwear maker Steve Madden Ltd. in exchange for endorsing a product line for two years.

According to her breach-of-contract lawsuit filed Friday in L.A. Superior Court, Deschanel's agent initially brokered a $2 million deal for her in August that would allow Steve Madden to use her name and image to market and sell "Zooey shoes & accessories."

A few days later, the company said a retailer wasn't onboard with the deal as it was and lowered the amount to $1.5 million, which Deschanel's reps agreed to, the suit continues.

Then, the complaint alleges, on Oct. 13, Steve Madden "breached and repudiated" the new deal without explanation and refused to pay—and stil hasn't paid, though Deschanel tried to hold up her end of the bargain.

The (500) Days of Summer star is asking for $1.5 million, plus interest and reimbursement for her legal fees.