Bad Bunny, the wildly popular Puerto Rican rapper and Latin trap artist, is no stranger to making headlines for his music and public appearances. However, in recent news, it’s not the musician but his ex-girlfriend who has caught the attention of media outlets worldwide. According to reports, Bad Bunny’s former partner, Gabriela Berlingeri, has filed a $40 million lawsuit against him for alleged breach of contract and mistreatment during their relationship. The lawsuit has sparked debates about the limits of artistic freedom, privacy, and abusive behavior in romantic relationships. Let’s delve deeper into this ongoing controversy and explore the intricacies of Bad Bunny’s personal life amidst his meteoric rise to fame.
Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican superstar singer, is being sued for at least $40 million by his ex-girlfriend, Carliz De La Cruz Hernández, who claims that her voice recording has been used without her permission. The recording, featuring her breathy voice saying “Bad Bunny, baby,” was included in two of the artist’s most popular songs, Pa Ti and Dos Mil 16, and has gained more than 355 million views on YouTube and more than 235 million reproductions on Spotify.
According to a lawsuit filed in a Puerto Rico court, Hernández claims that her “distinguishable voice” has also been used without consent in songs, records, promotions, concerts worldwide, on television, radio, social media, and musical platforms. The lawsuit states that since the recordings were released, thousands of people have commented directly on Hernández’s social media networks and every time she goes to a public place, causing her to feel worried, anguished, intimidated, overwhelmed, and anxious.
The lawsuit also names Bad Bunny’s manager, Noah Kamil Assad Byrne, who has not responded to the allegations. Hernández and Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Martínez Ocasio, first became a couple in 2011 while studying at the University of Puerto Rico in the northern coastal town of Arecibo. During that time, Martínez was constantly creating songs and rhythms and would seek opinions from Hernández, who also handled his parties and contracts.
In 2015, the birth of the phrase “Bad Bunny, baby” came about, and Martínez asked Hernández to record herself saying it. She recorded it in a bathroom, sent it to him, and the rest was history. However, in April 2016, Rimas Music signed Martínez, and Hernández enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico’s law school, which ended their relationship in May 2016. They briefly got back together in 2017 but didn’t stay together for long.
In May 2022, a representative from Bad Bunny contacted Hernández, offering to buy the recording of her voice for $2,000 to use it in the upcoming album Un Verano Sin Ti. Hernández declined and spoke with someone at Rimas Music, who also offered to buy it. However, a deal was never reached, and the song was published without Hernández’s consent, according to the lawsuit.
Hernández’s lawsuit claims that since the recordings were released, she has suffered damages including emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, and anxiety, resulting in a loss of income, earning capacity, and professional opportunities. She is requesting at least $40 million in damages, plus prejudgment interest, attorney fees, and any further relief that the court may deem appropriate.
The lawsuit raises some critical questions about who owns the rights to a voice recording and under what circumstances it can be used without the owner’s permission. It also highlights the legal issues surrounding intellectual property and artistic creation, especially in the music industry, where artists and their producers are always on the lookout for new sounds, samples, and hooks to include in their work.
In conclusion, Bad Bunny’s ex-girlfriend’s lawsuit over the use of her voice recording without permission raises critical legal issues that may have implications beyond the music industry. The case is a reminder that artists and their collaborators need to be mindful of their legal obligations when creating and distributing their work. It also highlights the growing influence and importance of intellectual property law in a digital era.
In the end, it seems that Bad Bunny’s relationships and personal life have been thrust into the public eye once again, with his ex-girlfriend filing a $40 million lawsuit against him. While it’s difficult to say what the future holds for these two individuals, it’s clear that this legal battle has brought to light some deeply personal and painful experiences. As fans and observers of celebrity culture, it’s important to remember that behind the glitz and glamour, there are real people with real emotions and struggles. Let’s hope that Bad Bunny and his ex-girlfriend can find a way to move forward and find peace, both in their personal lives and in their public personas.
