Steven Tyler‘s former management company sued his current lawyer on Thursday claiming she botched his contract negotiation and cost Tyler a $6 million- $8 million deal to return to American Idol.
In a complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Kovac Media Group claims that West Hollywood entertainment lawyer Dina LaPolt was brought in to help the Aerosmith frontman negotiate a new Idol deal at the end of last season, his second on the hit Fox singing competition.
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But according to the suit, LaPolt ended up poisoning the negotiation so badly that Idol producers ultimately offered Tyler no raise, which prompted him to exit the program. (He and departing judge Jennifer Lopez were replaced by Mariah Carey, Nicki Manaj and Keith Urban for the upcoming season.)
The suit, which doesn’t mention Tyler by name but clearly references him, also claims LaPolt then convinced Tyler to fire his former managers and withhold a commission from an Idol severance payment.
The suit for breach of fiduciary duty and intentional interference with contract seeks damages in excess of $8 million.
A call to LaPolt’s office was not returned.
Email: Matthew.Belloni@thr.com
Twitter: @THRMattBelloni
