Neil Lupin/Redferns Getty Images
Lady Gaga's former boyfriend is suing her for $35 million dollars, claiming he "made" the pop superstar who she is today. Is he a "Monster" or does he have a case?
Rob Fusari, a New Jersey-based songwriter, filed a lawsuit in New York Superior Court on March 18, claiming that when he met Stefani Germanotta, she was just an artist struggling to break into the music business. Fusari says he took the young performer under his wing and even came up with her now world-famous stage name.
According to Fusari, Lady Gaga was originally going to be "Radio Gaga," but, according to court documents, "one day when Fusari addressed a cell phone text to Germanotta under the moniker 'Radio Gaga' his cell phone's spell check converted 'Radio' to 'Lady'....Germanotta loved it, and 'Lady Gaga' was born."
The music man, who wrote mega-hits like Beyonce's "Bootylicious" and Will Smith's "Wild Wild West," says that he and Gaga started dating while working together, but once she soared to stardom, he claims she dumped him and refused to pay him earnings from her merchandise and recordings.
Fusari is seeking 20 percent of the mega-star's income as stipulated in their original contract.
"It's an age-old story in the music business," Fusari's attorney Robert Meloni told the New York Daily News. "You become famous, and you turn on the person who discovered you."
Plus:
- Watch Lady Gaga Shock (Again!) with Her 'Telephone' Video
- PHOTOS: Lady Gaga's Kookiest Couture
Do you think Lady Gaga should pay up? Chime in below!
