Ariana Grande has taken legal action against anonymous hackers accused of stealing and leaking hundreds of her songs, demos, and personal footage over the past 15 years. The singer filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles, alleging that the hackers violated her creative process and the trust of her fans.
Lawsuit details and allegations
The lawsuit, filed on July 28, 2026, claims that the hackers, identified only as John Doe, targeted Grande's photographers and producers to gain access to unreleased materials. These materials were then sold on the dark web, according to Billboard. The complaint states that the leaks include 'still-in-production, unreleased masters and demos and footage' stolen in 2019, as well as private photos obtained through phishing scams in 2024.
Grande's legal team described the hackers as 'unscrupulous individuals' who violated the 'sacred relationship that exists between her and her fans.' The lawsuit seeks to uncover their identities and hold them accountable for what it calls 'invasive and reprehensible conduct.'
History of leaks
The lawsuit lists 'hundreds' of leaks since 2011, with a particularly high number in 2023, when 45 songs were leaked. Grande has previously spoken out about the leaks, including the song 'Fantasize,' which she discussed on the Zach Sang Show in 2024. She told leakers, 'See you in jail,' and added, 'Those were all written for a TV show, for this thing that was not for me. So 'Fantasize' comes out — Comes out. Crazy. Was stolen — thieves, pirates, illegal. I'll pay you more to put it away, to get it back.'
Legal and personal impact
Grande's attorneys emphasized the broader implications of the leaks, stating, 'Neither Ms. Grande nor any other public or private figure should have to suffer such violations caused by these wrongdoers who hide in the shadows and wreak technological havoc with impunity. It is imperative to Ms. Grande to ensure on behalf of herself and others that such conduct is deterred to the fullest extent possible.'
Despite her offers to pay for the return of the stolen materials, Grande has proceeded with the lawsuit. She is currently on her Eternal Sunshine world tour, which includes sold-out dates in the United States and a scheduled stop in London in August 2026.
