Additional Coverage:
- What investors say went wrong at Selena Gomez’s mental health startup Wondermind (businessinsider.com)
Several investors in Wondermind, the mental health startup co-founded by Selena Gomez, have filed a federal lawsuit alleging fraud and misrepresentation. The suit, filed Thursday, names Gomez, her mother Mandy Teefey, and business partner Daniella Pierson as defendants.
Wondermind was launched in 2021 with the ambition of creating “the world’s first mental fitness ecosystem.” However, investors claim the company failed to deliver on its promises, including building the app and securing key corporate partnerships. Among the plaintiffs are Brent Saunders, CEO of Bausch + Lomb, and entrepreneur Marc Roberts, who together invested nearly $1.2 million based on assurances about the company’s leadership, infrastructure, and growth plans.
The complaint alleges that Gomez was portrayed as the head of marketing with a significant role, Pierson had secured partnerships with firms like JPMorgan and Fidelity, and revenue-generating initiatives were underway-all of which investors say were false. They are seeking the return of their investments or damages, along with legal costs.
According to the lawsuit, Wondermind quietly collapsed over three years while founders failed to inform investors. The complaint states, “The partnerships did not exist.
The initiatives never materialized. The app was never built.”
After a 2025 article exposed management struggles within the startup, investors confronted the founders, who allegedly provided misleading information about an escrow account to reimburse funds-an account investors say never existed.
Gomez’s attorney called the allegations “completely meritless” both factually and legally. Pierson also denied the claims, emphasizing she never used investor funds for personal expenses and even invested her own money without drawing a salary. Teefey has not publicly responded.
The lawsuit highlights internal conflicts that reportedly plagued Wondermind early on, including clashes between Teefey and Pierson, and Gomez’s distancing from the company. Pierson left in 2023 amid tensions, according to reports.
As the legal battle unfolds, the investors aim to recover their losses and hold the founders accountable for what they describe as a long-running scheme of deceit.
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- What investors say went wrong at Selena Gomez’s mental health startup Wondermind (businessinsider.com)