Instead he is referred to as “The Artist” throughout the filing, though it is pretty clear from the players, his membership in a band and his role as judge for two seasons on the Fox show exactly who he is. The suit claims that in 2011 LaPolt lost “hot commodity” Tyler a $6 million to $8 million raise in his Idol contract for a second season on the show.
“LaPolt undercut TSE’s strategy to leverage the Artist’s popularity for a more lucrative deal. She told American Idol’s agent that Kovac “overplayed his hand with his aggressive behavior” and that American Idol could get the Artist for cheap, thereby undermining and negating Kovac’s/the Artist’s position in the negotiations,” says the 19-page suit. The suit also alleges that LaPolt cut Kovac/TSE out of their commission from Tyler. Besides the $8 million, the plaintiffs are seeking interest, punitive and exemplary damages, legal fees and other costs.
They have requested a five-day jury trial. The plaintiffs are represented by Louise “Skip” Miller of Los Angeles firm Miller Barondess.
