Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Kendall Jenner is suing laser skin care brand Cutera for $10m. Jenner says that the brand used her image in advertisements for its acne treatment without her permission.
In papers filed in Los Angeles on 10 February, Jenner said that the brand had used photographs of her alongside quotes from the star claiming that its Laser Genesis treatment had left her with “nearly flawless skin”.
Jenner’s demand for $10m is based on what she would usually earn for such an endorsement. The lawsuit states: “Ms Jenner’s actual endorsement for a worldwide campaign such as this would command a fee well into eight figures.” However, it added: “Setting aside the monetary value, it is Ms Jenner’s choice whether or not to commercially endorse another party’s goods and services. Cutera took that choice away from her.”
The star had perviously written about using the Cutera Laser Genesis in a post on her website, which has since been removed, but she says she did not consent to her image being used in their advertisements which were displayed in New York.
The lawsuit is reminiscent of a similar case filed against Venus Concept by actress Sofia Vergara, who posted about the product on Instagram but says she did not give the brand permission to use her image.
Todd Wilson, Jenner’s lawyer, commented: “Cutera has never sought Ms Jenner’s permission to use her as a ‘face’ for its products and services, and Ms Jenner has never given such permission.”
As well as appearing in the popular reality TV show, Jenner is a spokesperson for Estée Lauder and has previously modelled for Balmain and Victoria’s Secret. She has more than 48.6 million Instagram followers.