Last year the sunless spray salon, Glissin, from Houston, Texas, had its lawyers file suit Sports Illustrated and Victoria Secret mega-model, Marisa Miller, and her Los Angeles management company, Cartel Management, for a breach of contract claim. Glissin’s lawyers allege Miller sought approximately $2.8 million dollars in damages, suggesting that Miller failed to follow through on most of her endorsement duties as Glissin’s brand ambassador and seeking damages as a result. Glissin hired Miller to promote their sunless spray skin care line featuring half of dozen of products that help men and women achieve a sun kissed glow without the health risks that naturally revolve around tanning beds and sun rays.
The company’s legal team claim that Glissin paid Miller $1.8 million dollars in order for Miller to furnish her professional services as Glissin’s spokesperson and develop her own line of bronzing products. Even though Miller filmed a 30 second commercial and completed a photo shoot for the company, Glissin claimed that she did not perform nearly enough of her obligations to the company. Specifically, Glissin declared that Miller failed to do seven print ads, a behind the scene video of her photo shoot, and failed to appear to numerous media appearances. The company further accused Miller of inexcusably failing to promote their salons, lotions, sprays, never developing a line of products bearing her name and flaking on scheduled appearances, including the opening of the company’s Los Angeles Glissin Salon, which has since closed. The Los Angeles salon was expected to give Glissin new revenue opportunities beyond their web-based sales platform.
Miller’s lawyers attempted to get the lawsuit thrown out, responding that Glissin breached the deal not her. Miller stated that she did everything she was asked to do per her contract and claimed to be willing to even complete her remaining obligations under the agreement. Before trial, Miller’s lawyers asked prospective jurors to see if her title as “Sexiest Woman in the World” or her spot on “Hot 100” list would inhibit a fair trial, asking questions such as if Miller’s 2008 spread in Sports Illustrated as a swimsuit model would make them feel biased about her. However, after the five-day trial, the jury in the federal case unanimously agreed with the Company and ruled in their favor. The jury concluded Miller failed to promote Glissin’s existing products and salons, and awarded Glissin a $1 million dollar verdict.
Miller will pay Glissin $300,000 dollars directly with the Los Angeles -based Cartel Management to cover the remaining $700,000 dollars. Cartel Management is headed by Miller’s husband, Griffin Guess, a talented music producer and talent manager.
Despite the verdict, Miller still appears on the Glissin website.
-Anna Rozman, ESQ
Director of Entertainment & Business Affairs– Lipton Legal Group, A PC – Beverly Hills, CA
See our inspiration for this story at TMZ: http://www.tmz.com/2016/11/07/marisa-miller-loses-lawsuit-1-million-dollars-tanning-company-glissin/