For most of us beefing with a multinational company usually means payday came late or you’re getting annoying phone calls from a collection agency. The little guy rarely wins.
But celebrity paychecks come with the ability to lawyer up and go the distance in court, and that’s what some of these 12 stars who beefed with major corporations decided to do. Others either just threw verbal jabs or ended up calling a truce, but it was a valiant fight nonetheless.
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Photo: Fox News screen capture
Jay Z vs. Spotify
Jigga temporarily put the breaks on being kindler and gentler and channeled his inner Brooklyn when critics slandered his TIDAL streaming service. He took some shots at Spotify (as well as YouTube) in a Twitter rant and subsequent freestyle.
Tracy Morgan vs. Walmart
It took some legal wrangling, but by his own admission, Tracy Morgan says Walmart did right by him after one of their drivers allegedly caused the crash that left Morgan in a coma and killed his friend and fellow comedian James McNair.
Nas vs. Fox
Few things are as gratifying as an angry, politically charged Nasir Jones. We got to experience it in full force with the epic takedown of Bill O’Reilly and Fox News that was 2008’s “Sly Fox.”
photo: Daniel Tanner/WENN.com
Katherine Heigl vs. Duane Reade
When Duane Reade tried to capitalize of a paparazzi shot of rom-com queen Katherine Heigl carrying one of their shopping bags in 2014 she went for blood in the form of a $6 million lawsuit.
photo: WENN
Donald Sterling vs. The NBA
Old, racist, and possibly senile former Clippers owner was going to make the NBA pry his billion dollar franchise from his cold, dead hands. But once his estranged wife took the reigns, it was a wrap.
Jessica Alba vs. Playboy
Playboy magazine caught two L’s by throwing a clothed Jessica Alba on the cover of their March 2006 issue without her permission. After Hef himself issued an apology and coughed up some cash to one of Alba’s favorite charities she fell back.
photo: WENN
Beastie Boys vs. Monster Beverage
An attempt to use iconic Hip-Hop group The Beastie Boys’ hits “Sabotage,” “So Watcha Want” and “Make Some Noise” without their permission in 2014 cost Monster Beverage $1.7 million.
50 Cent vs. Taco Bell
A poor attempt at humor in the form of asking 50 Cent to change his name to “79 Cent,” “89 Cent,” or “99 Cent” cost Taco Bell when Fif clapped back in a courtroom and sued the fast food giant for $4 million. The suit was ultimately settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Rob Brown vs. Macy’s
Treme actor Rob Brown dropped $1,300 on a Movado watch and was down to spend more when three NYPD cops stopped him in a New York Macy’s and accused him of committing credit card fraud and detained him inside the store. Even being on a popular HBO show doesn’t insulate you from racial profiling.
photo: WENN
Alex Rodriguez vs. MLB
All those ‘roids must’ve went to A-Rod’s head when he briefly threatened to sue Major League Baseball for suspending him in the BALCO scandal. He was forced to chill because they had documented proof he was juicing.
photo: WENN
Lindsay Lohan vs. Rockstar Games
Back when the checks stopped coming in, Lindsay Lohan was trying to sue Pitbull and everybody else to get a quick buck. She alleged Rockstar games for allegedly using her likeness in a Grand Theft Auto V promo.
