Tati Westbrook is facing legal drama.
The 38-year-old YouTuber and husband James are being sued by former business partner Clark Swanson for breach of contract, gross negligence and fraudulent inducement in regards to her vitamin line Halo Beauty, E! News reported on Saturday (October 31).
In the lawsuit, Tati‘s former business partner states that he agreed to owning 50% of the Halo Beauty company, but alleged that the couple came to him with an offer just before the launch to “give them two-thirds of the business and, in exchange, the Westbrooks would commit to use Halo Beauty as Ms. Westbrook‘s umbrella brand for all her beauty launches—cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, all of Tati Westbrook‘s beauty products. Mr. Swanson agreed to these terms.”
“Ms. Westbrook claimed that the product did not matter, she could still sell a ‘s–t product’ to her loyal followers,” the lawsuit alleges.
He also claims that Tati assured him that fellow YouTubers like Jeffree Star and James Charles would endorse the product, claiming they turned down advertising deals with rival Sugar Bear Hair out of loyalty.
“Ms. Westbrook‘s claim to influence was undercut when James Charles endorsed Sugar Bear Hair in an April 22, 2019 ‘swipe up’ Instagram story. On May 10, 2019, Ms. Westbrook posted a video ‘Bye Sister,’ accusing Mr. Charles of inappropriate sexual conduct,” the lawsuit reads.
The lawsuit also claims the couple “actively interfered with Mr. Swanson‘s efforts to grow Halo Beauty,” and that Tati allegedly went behind his back to launch a separate beauty brand in 2019 under her own name, selling re-usable beauty blenders and an eyeshadow palette manufactured by Seed Beauty. The lawsuit also alleged that she planned the launch of additional products for Tati Beauty, including perfumes and other makeup items, without his knowledge.
Her business partner has requested to take Tati and James to trial and is seeking damages.
Tati‘s lawyer issued a statement.
“Clark Swanson‘s lawsuit is meritless… his absurd claim that Tati Westbrook granted him one-third of her name, image and likeness for all time in exchange for a modest initial capital contribution. Swanson‘s claim is not only baseless, it is offensive and defies common sense. This is particularly true given that Swanson has received millions in profit distributions from Halo Beauty, almost exclusively due to the Westbrooks‘ efforts. Tati and James will vigorously defend this lawsuit and are confident that the truth will come out and they will prevail.”
Back in June, Tati returned to YouTube to claim that she was “weaponized” by other YouTubers in an effort to take down James Charles.
