Dua Lipa is taking Samsung to court, and the price tag is not small.
The pop star has filed a $15 million lawsuit against Samsung, accusing the electronics company of using her face to sell TVs without her permission or payment. According to the complaint, Samsung allegedly placed Lipa’s image on cardboard TV packaging beginning last year.
Lipa’s team says that once she discovered the use, she demanded that Samsung stop. The lawsuit claims the company was “dismissive and callous” and refused.
“Ms. Lipa’s face was prominently used for a mass marketing campaign for a consumer product without her knowledge, without consideration, and as to which she had no say, control, or input whatsoever,” the lawsuit states. “Ms. Lipa did not allow and would not have allowed this use.”
Dua Lipa Says Samsung Made It Look Like She Endorsed TVs
The lawsuit claims Samsung benefited from the appearance that Lipa had endorsed the TVs, even though she had not.
According to the complaint, Lipa owns the copyright to the photo in question, which was taken backstage at the Austin City Limits Festival in 2024. Her legal team argues that Samsung used the image to boost sales and create a false connection between the singer and the product.
The complaint also points to social media comments from people who appeared to connect the TV packaging to Lipa.
“I wasn’t even planning on buying a tv but I saw the box so I decided to get it,” one quoted commenter wrote.
Another wrote, “I’d get that TV just because Dua Lipa is on it.”
A third summed up the alleged effect more bluntly: “Just put a picture of Dua Lipa on it.”
Lawsuit Says Lipa Is Careful About Endorsements
The lawsuit argues that Lipa has built a high-value public image and is selective about which products she endorses. Her team claims Samsung’s alleged use of her face took away her control over that image.
The complaint includes claims of copyright violation, violation of California’s right of publicity statute, a federal Lanham Act claim, and trademark claims. It was filed in the Central District of California.
In other words, Lipa’s team is not treating this as a small packaging mistake. They are framing it as a major unauthorized marketing campaign using one of pop music’s most recognizable faces.
Samsung Denies Intentional Misuse
Samsung pushed back in a statement to Billboard.
The company said Lipa’s photo was used on television packaging in 2025 to promote content available on Samsung TV Plus, its free streaming service. Samsung claimed the image came from a content partner that gave “explicit assurance” that all necessary permissions had been secured, including use on retail boxes.
“Given this assurance, we deny any allegations of intentional misuse,” Samsung said. The company added that it has “great respect for Ms. Lipa and the intellectual property of all artists” and remains open to resolving the dispute with her legal team.
For now, the fight is clear. Lipa says Samsung used her face to help sell TVs. Samsung says it relied on permission from a partner. A court may now decide whether that explanation is enough.
