Shakira has avoided a costly court battle after a judge dismissed a bizarre lawsuit filed against her.
According to NBC Miami, a Florida judge tossed out the case brought by 80-year-old California man David Kourosh Rashidian, also known as Hamid Rashidian. He had sued Shakira earlier this year for breach of contract, defamation, emotional distress, and negligent misrepresentation. However, the singer’s attorney revealed that Rashidian never actually communicated with Shakira — he’d been tricked by an impersonator.
Court documents from Florida’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit showed that Rashidian began talking to the fake “Shakira” on Facebook in 2023. He claimed he sent her over $140,000 to fund a supposed book collaboration and 100-show world tour, including money for hotel stays, flights, and even hospital bills for her mother.
“Despite repeated assurances, you have failed to honor the terms of our agreement,” his complaint stated. Rashidian said the impersonator later asked for another $3,500 for “emergency travel,” but once “she” returned, she refused to meet him — leading him to believe the deal was fake.
The filing included screenshots of Facebook messages and texts between Rashidian and the scammer, copies of airline ticket purchases, and even a threatening message he received after mentioning legal action. Rashidian demanded $100 million in damages and an injunction to stop “Shakira” from making false statements or harassing him.
Shakira’s lawyer, Jose Becerra, asked the court to throw out the case, arguing that the lawsuit was never properly served, the amended complaint was never presented, and the process server failed to explain the documents’ contents.
Neither Rashidian nor his lawyer showed up to the October 23 court hearing.
“If I may just add, your honor, what we have here is a case of impersonation,” Becerra told the judge. “Someone impersonating the defendant had interactions with this plaintiff… I’d submit that’s exactly what we’d prove if this case went forward.”
He added, “Given the significant time the plaintiff’s had to serve, and his failure to file for any extension, I respectfully ask the court to dismiss the case with prejudice.”
