Ariana Grande has filed a lawsuit against two unidentified hackers, alleging they leaked unreleased music and studio footage after gaining access to her collaborators' computers. The pop star, who is currently in the middle of her Eternal Sunshine world tour, said the material was sold “on the dark web” for “significant sums of money”.
In papers filed in Los Angeles and reported by US media outlets, Grande alleged that the hackers targeted photographers and producers in order to obtain the material. Her lawyers said she was bringing the case to uncover the identity of the people behind the alleged breaches and to hold them accountable for the leaks.
The court documents said:
“In 2023 alone, 45 unreleased songs belonging to Ms Grande were hacked, stolen, and leaked,”and added:
“Since her music debut in 2011, hundreds of similar leaks have taken place.”
Grande has previously spoken about her wish to see hackers held accountable for leaking unreleased music. In a 2024 interview on the Zach Sang show, she discussed a song called Fantasize, which she wrote with Swedish pop savant Max Martin and which went viral after being posted online.
She said:
“We were - before I left for Wicked - a few studio sessions that I did which are all over TikTok, thank you so much, I'll see you in jail. Literally,”and continued:
“Those were all written for a TV show, for something that was not for me, so Fantasize comes out, crazy, was stolen... These pirates, crooks, illegal!”
The star has returned to music this year after a break to film the two-part film adaptation of Wicked.
Her legal case outlines what it describes as a pattern of illegal behaviour, saying the accounts of Grande's co-workers were systematically targeted over several years. In 2025, the suit claims, the defendants hacked into the mobile device of a producer who had worked with Grande and accessed unreleased masters, demos and footage from recording sessions.
The previous year, the suit says, hackers created an email account impersonating a photographer and persuaded a digital technician to send them unreleased photos that belonged to Grande. Her lawyers said the alleged conduct caused serious harm to her privacy and career.
Grande accused the hackers of violating the
“sacred relationship that exists between her and her fans”and is suing for invasion of privacy, violation of California computer hacking laws, and conversion.
Her lawyers said the
“malicious invasion of Ms. Grande's privacy and disruption of her career have caused her substantial and irreparable harm due to this breach of privacy.”
The court filing comes as Grande prepares for the release of her eighth studio album, Petal, this Friday. She is also currently in the middle of a world tour, which is due to reach the UK in August.
Grande previously hinted that the concerts would be her last for
“a long time”. She said on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast:
“I'm going to give it my all and it's going to be beautiful,”and added:
“I think that's why I'm doing it because I'm like: 'One last hurrah' - for now.”
What is Grande alleging in the lawsuit?
Grande is alleging that two unidentified hackers stole and leaked unreleased music, demos, studio footage and photos by targeting people in her professional circle. The suit says the material was obtained through access to collaborators' computers and mobile devices, then sold for profit.
How much material is said to have been leaked?
The filing says 45 unreleased songs belonging to Grande were hacked, stolen and leaked in 2023 alone. It also says that since her music debut in 2011, hundreds of similar leaks have taken place.
What earlier incidents does the case describe?
The legal papers describe a pattern over several years, including a 2025 hack of a producer's mobile device that exposed unreleased masters, demos and recording-session footage. They also claim that in 2024 hackers impersonated a photographer by email and persuaded a digital technician to send unreleased photos belonging to Grande.
What has Grande said publicly before?
Grande has previously spoken about her anger over leaks and said she wanted hackers held accountable. In 2024, she joked on the Zach Sang show about leaked studio sessions and called the people responsible pirates, crooks and illegal.
What else is happening in Grande's career?
Grande is currently touring on the Eternal Sunshine world tour, which is due to hit the UK in August. She is also preparing to release her eighth studio album, Petal, this Friday, after returning to music following time away to film Wicked.
Key Facts
- Grande filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles against two unidentified hackers.
- The suit alleges 45 unreleased songs were hacked, stolen and leaked in 2023 alone.
- The case says hackers targeted collaborators over several years to access music, footage and photos.
- Grande is set to release her eighth studio album, Petal, this Friday.
- Her world tour is due to reach the UK in August.
