Investors sue Selena Gomez and mother over alleged misrepresentations in mental-health startup
Two Delaware companies claim they invested $1.2 million in Wondermind and were misled about the venture’s capabilities, filing a federal lawsuit that names singer Selena Gomez, her mother Mandy Teefey and former partner Daniella Pierson.
A federal lawsuit filed in Delaware on Thursday alleges that investors were deceived about the financial health and operational readiness of Wondermind, a mental-health platform co-founded by singer Selena Gomez, her mother Mandy Teefey and former partner Daniella Pierson. The plaintiffs, Wondermind SRS 44 LLC and Bespoke Wondermind LLC, say they invested $1.2 million in September 2022 based on representations that the company possessed the infrastructure, leadership and resources needed to launch a profitable, “one-of-a-kind” wellness app.
According to the complaint, Gomez, who was designated head of marketing, failed to fulfill contractual duties that involved leveraging her social-media presence and public appearances to promote the venture. The suit states that promised partnerships never materialized, the app was never built and the company “quietly collapsed” for three years, a fact the defendants allegedly concealed from investors.
The investors learned of the alleged problems after a September 2025 article in The Cut reported operational disarray and cited Teefey’s alleged substance-abuse issues. Teefey denied those allegations in a statement to media, calling the claims “lies” and criticizing the coverage.
The complaint also describes communications in which Teefey reportedly told an investor she was unsure whether she could provide updates and suggested the matter be handled by Gomez’s legal team. It further alleges that Gomez and Teefey’s strained personal relationship led Gomez to distance herself from the company.
Investors assert that Wondermind’s pitch materials cited interest from high-profile figures such as Camila Cabello, Tim Cook, Elton John, Drake and Megan Thee Stallion, but that no such agreements were secured. The lawsuit seeks damages, a return of the $1.2 million investment, attorney’s fees and a jury trial.
Wondermind, launched in 2022, reportedly laid off 60 percent of its 15-person staff in May 2025 after freelancers and vendors claimed unpaid invoices. A company spokesperson said the financial issues had been addressed and described the situation as part of “growing pains.”