Blab Music
Ariana Grande Sues Anonymous Hackers Over Leaked Unreleased Music and Footage
In a courtroom showdown in Los Angeles, Ariana Grande has taken a stand against an invisible threat that has been leaking her art for years. On Monday, the singer filed a lawsuit against an unnamed group of hackers who she says stole and sold unreleased songs, photographs and video footage from her recording sessions and music videos.
Variety obtained the complaint, which details how the defendants gained back‑door access to devices belonging to photographers and producers who have worked with Grande. According to the filing, the hackers launched a phishing campaign that targeted a digital technician employed by one of those photographers. The perpetrators created an email account that impersonated the photographer, convincing the technician to send them unreleased images and footage. The complaint further states that the stolen content was sold for “significant sums of money,” though the exact amount was not disclosed.
The lawsuit alleges that the group has repeatedly stolen and leaked unreleased material spanning from 2019 to 2024. Grande, who has experienced hundreds of leaks since 2011, says the defendants are responsible for a series of breaches that have exposed her private recordings and behind‑the‑scenes footage. The complaint calls the theft “unlawful and egregious” and seeks to uncover the identities of the hackers so that they can be held accountable for their “invasive and reprehensible conduct.”
The suit is part of a broader trend of artists taking legal action against cyber‑criminals who target their creative output. In 2023 alone, the complaint notes, 45 unreleased songs from Grande’s catalog appeared online before their scheduled release dates. The most recent incident, according to the filing, occurred in 2024.
While the lawsuit focuses on the hacking and leaking of Grande’s unreleased material, the singer’s public statements about the matter have been limited. The Daily News has reached out to Grande’s representatives for comment, and no response has yet been received.
The lawsuit was filed in the same court that has seen other high‑profile cases involving intellectual property theft in the music industry. The complaint does not name specific individuals or companies, but it does describe the tactics used by the defendants, including phishing, impersonation and the exploitation of back‑door access to secure devices.
In addition to the legal action, Grande has been promoting her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, on the world tour that began in June 2026. The album, released in March 2024, has already topped charts worldwide and has been streamed extensively on major platforms. Grande’s touring schedule has not been altered by the lawsuit.
The singer also posted a carousel of images on Instagram on Monday, which E! reports included a reconciliation with former backup dancer Ricky Alvarez, who she dated from 2015 to 2016. The post coincided with a period of renewed public interest in their relationship, following reports in early June that Grande and actor Ethan Slater had ended their romance. Alvarez and Grande were spotted together in public and have been described by insiders as “taking things very slowly.”
The lawsuit’s filing does not address Grande’s personal life, but it does highlight the increasing vulnerability of artists’ creative assets in the digital age. The complaint underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures for those who collaborate on high‑profile projects.
At present, the case is pending in court. No settlement has been announced, and the defendants remain unnamed. The lawsuit seeks to identify the hackers and to obtain damages for the unauthorized use and sale of Grande’s unreleased content.
The outcome of the case may set a precedent for other artists who face similar breaches. It also raises questions about how record labels, producers and photographers protect their intellectual property when working with high‑profile performers.
For now, Grande continues her Eternal Sunshine tour, and the lawsuit remains a developing story. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the court will compel the defendants to reveal their identities and whether the case will result in a financial settlement or other remedies.
Variety obtained the complaint, which details how the defendants gained back‑door access to devices belonging to photographers and producers who have worked with Grande. According to the filing, the hackers launched a phishing campaign that targeted a digital technician employed by one of those photographers. The perpetrators created an email account that impersonated the photographer, convincing the technician to send them unreleased images and footage. The complaint further states that the stolen content was sold for “significant sums of money,” though the exact amount was not disclosed.
The lawsuit alleges that the group has repeatedly stolen and leaked unreleased material spanning from 2019 to 2024. Grande, who has experienced hundreds of leaks since 2011, says the defendants are responsible for a series of breaches that have exposed her private recordings and behind‑the‑scenes footage. The complaint calls the theft “unlawful and egregious” and seeks to uncover the identities of the hackers so that they can be held accountable for their “invasive and reprehensible conduct.”
The suit is part of a broader trend of artists taking legal action against cyber‑criminals who target their creative output. In 2023 alone, the complaint notes, 45 unreleased songs from Grande’s catalog appeared online before their scheduled release dates. The most recent incident, according to the filing, occurred in 2024.
While the lawsuit focuses on the hacking and leaking of Grande’s unreleased material, the singer’s public statements about the matter have been limited. The Daily News has reached out to Grande’s representatives for comment, and no response has yet been received.
The lawsuit was filed in the same court that has seen other high‑profile cases involving intellectual property theft in the music industry. The complaint does not name specific individuals or companies, but it does describe the tactics used by the defendants, including phishing, impersonation and the exploitation of back‑door access to secure devices.
In addition to the legal action, Grande has been promoting her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, on the world tour that began in June 2026. The album, released in March 2024, has already topped charts worldwide and has been streamed extensively on major platforms. Grande’s touring schedule has not been altered by the lawsuit.
The singer also posted a carousel of images on Instagram on Monday, which E! reports included a reconciliation with former backup dancer Ricky Alvarez, who she dated from 2015 to 2016. The post coincided with a period of renewed public interest in their relationship, following reports in early June that Grande and actor Ethan Slater had ended their romance. Alvarez and Grande were spotted together in public and have been described by insiders as “taking things very slowly.”
The lawsuit’s filing does not address Grande’s personal life, but it does highlight the increasing vulnerability of artists’ creative assets in the digital age. The complaint underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures for those who collaborate on high‑profile projects.
At present, the case is pending in court. No settlement has been announced, and the defendants remain unnamed. The lawsuit seeks to identify the hackers and to obtain damages for the unauthorized use and sale of Grande’s unreleased content.
The outcome of the case may set a precedent for other artists who face similar breaches. It also raises questions about how record labels, producers and photographers protect their intellectual property when working with high‑profile performers.
For now, Grande continues her Eternal Sunshine tour, and the lawsuit remains a developing story. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the court will compel the defendants to reveal their identities and whether the case will result in a financial settlement or other remedies.
