Celebrity Stylist Accuses Nicki Minaj Of Stealing His Wig Designs

A celebrity hair stylist has accused rapper and
former "American Idol" judge Nicki Minaj of
stealing his designs for the colorful wigs that helped
boost her career, according to a federal lawsuit
filed on Friday seeking $30 million in
compensation.

Terrence Davidson, whose celebrity clients include
singers Patti LaBelle and Jennifer Hudson, began
working for Minaj in 2010 and designed her wigs
for high-profile events worldwide, the suit filed in
Atlanta said.

The rapper also wore Davidson-designed wigs in a
music video for the song "Super Bass," according to
the lawsuit. One of Minaj's best-known wigs is
called the "Pink Upper Bun."

Davidson, 41, said he and Minaj's staff discussed a
joint business venture that would include selling
wigs and creating a reality television show about a
celebrity wig stylist.

But the performer and her
representatives in 2012 "took active steps to isolate
Mr. Davidson and preclude him from the notoriety
he deserved for his wig designs," the lawsuit said.

Davidson stopped working for Minaj more than a
year ago, and now the pop star is copying his wig
designs and selling them online, he alleged.

Minaj "took a number of his popular wig designs,
without his consent, and used them to start her
own wig line," said the lawsuit.
Davidson's representatives claim it is the first-ever
intellectual property dispute over wigs.