Wondermind launched in 2021 with a star-powered pitch: a mental health platform co-founded by Selena Gomez, her mother Mandy Teefey and entrepreneur Daniella Pierson that would offer daily 'mental fitness' resources. On August 13, five investors sued over what they say the startup actually delivered.
The plaintiffs invested nearly $1.2 million in the company and accuse Gomez, Teefey and Wondermind of securities fraud and breach of contract. The complaint, first reported by Forbes, alleges investors were told Gomez would be intimately involved in building and marketing the product — commitments the suit says never materialized.
'The partnerships did not exist. The initiatives never materialized. The app was never built,' the complaint reads. 'And for three years, while the Company quietly collapsed around them, not one of its founders, officers, or directors said a word to the investors whose money was funding the collapse.'
Investors say they were kept in the dark until a September 2025 investigation by The Cut revealed the company's troubles. They are seeking to recover their investments plus legal fees. Wondermind did not respond to requests for comment from TechCrunch.
The lawsuit is the latest flashpoint for celebrity-backed wellness startups, where a famous founder's name has often been central to fundraising — and, according to plaintiffs, to what investors believed they were paying for.
Sources
- techcrunch.comInvestors sue Selena Gomez alleging fraud tied to her mental health startup — TechCrunch
- nbcnews.comSelena Gomez and her mom accused of fraud over their mental health startup — NBC News
- forbes.comSelena Gomez And Wondermind Startup Sued For Allegedly Defrauding Investors — Forbes
- rollingstone.comSelena Gomez and Her Mother Accused of Defrauding Investors — Rolling Stone
