Mary J. Blige is slamming her former friend Misa Hylton for alleged harassment amid the stylist’s “frivolous” and “meritless” $5 million lawsuit.
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Before things went sour, Mary and Misa had a friendship that dated back to the early 90s, when both were rising stars in fashion and music. Misa is even largely credited with building Mary’s signature “Ghetto Fabulous” aesthetic in the 90s and early 2000s. She’s also notably styled Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, and more.
Despite their decades-long friendship and sisterhood, stylist Misa Hylton took her former client and best friend Mary J. Blige to court in April 2025. In her $5 million lawsuit, Misa accuses Mary of trying to sabotage her business relationship with rapper Vado.
Misa Hylton Sues Former Client And Best Friend Mary J. Blige For $5 Million Over Rapper Vado
Misa’s complaint claims she signed Vado to her M.I.S.A. Management company back on July 25, 2023. It also claims that he then signed with Mary’s company, Beautiful Life Productions, on October 1, 2023. Subsequently, Misa alleges that Mary’s deal with Vado interferes with his agreement with her management agreement that entitled Misa’s agency to 20% of the rapper’s earnings.
Per the lawsuit, Misa believes Mary used her influence to “isolate Vado” and persuade him to break his management contract with Misa during “private yacht gatherings, hotel meetings and exclusive events,” where Misa nor her M.I.S.A. Management representatives were present. Misa also alleges that Mary’s head security guard — described as her boyfriend — also wanted to sign Vado and told him he would “lose out on opportunities” if he stayed with M.I.S.A. Management.
Furthermore, documents allege that in private messages, Mary said she would not release Vado’s album under her, which he completed in July 2024, or allow him to tour “as long as he stayed with M.I.S.A. Management.” Misa argues that Mary shelving Vado’s album left him in “economic servitude,” unable to repay advances tied to his recording deal or make any real money for himself.
Misa is currently seeking $5 million in damages for breach of contract, emotional distress, and interference with business relationships. Misa’s attorney told reporter and ‘The Breakfast Club‘ host Loren Lorosa that she tried “every possible avenue” to resolve the business matter between the two amicably. However, Mary and her team have not been responsive.
The lawyer said, “Unfortunately, and it’s unbeknownst to us why Mary J. Blige, and why her camp completely cut off, you know, Ms. Hylton. It’s very unfortunate that it had to go down like this.” The lawyer continued to lament, adding that the two were “probably closer than blood family.”
Mary J. Blige Breaks Silence And Fires Back At Misa Hylton’s $5 Million Lawsuit
While breaking her silence on Misa Hylton’s $5 million lawsuit, Mary J. Blige and her lawyers allege harassment and call her case “frivolous” and “meritless.” On Monday (July 28), MJB and her legal team claimed her longtime friend and lawyers are clout-chasing for a settlement with their “baseless” lawsuit. MJB and veteran music lawyer Lisa F. Moore wrote:
“Plaintiffs and their counsel appear to enjoy fabricating accusations that will be discussed in the press and on social media for the purposes of harassing defendants and trying to coerce a favorable settlement.”
MJB and her legal team say the alleged contract between Misa’s firm and Vado is void because her company doesn’t legally exist. The defendants also claim that Vado himself failed to meet the requirements of his record deal with MJB’s Beautiful Life Productions.
In her paperwork, Mary J. Blige is not only asking for the judge to dismiss the “frivolous” case, but is also seeking sanctions, aka monetary legal penalties, against Misa Hylton and her lawyer, Nicholas Ramcharitar, for even filing the flawed case in the first place. MJB and her legal team wrote:
“Plaintiffs and their counsel had significant time to investigate these issues, not only before filing but also after defendants’ counsel sent a lengthy letter identifying with granular specificity why each of their claims is baseless. Yet, plaintiffs and their counsel chose not to withdraw the Complaint and instead appear to be doubling down.”
Mary J. Blige’s response also reveals a savage letter that her attorneys sent in May to Misa and Vado’s lawyer after filing their case. In it, they said the lawsuit was “riddled” with falsehoods. They demanded it be withdrawn and threatened that sanctions would follow if not. The letter read:
“It is obvious that the complaint was filed by you and plaintiffs for the sole purpose of harassing and causing malicious injury to [Beautiful Life] and Ms. Blige based on Hylton’s personal animus towards Ms. Blige… Your next step in handling this matter shall govern ours.”
The letter also featured alleged screenshots of Vado suggesting he would fire Misa Hylton on his own. The alleged text read, “Between me and u I might be firing Misa.” MJB and her lawyers continued to claim that Misa and her lawyers knew their case was flawed and continued to purse it, forcing Mary to “expend time and resources making this motion to dismiss their patently frivolous claims.”
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