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Mary J. Blige came out victorious after a judge ruled to dismiss Misa Hylton's lawsuit against her.
During a hearing held on Tuesday, January 6, Judge Phaedra F. Perry-Bond approved Blige's motion to dismiss the case after Hylton failed to respond on time. According to Billboard, the judge said Hylton declined to prove her "inflammatory accusations" in court even after she was given plenty of opportunities.
“The court in no way condones parties filing lawsuits claiming millions in damages based on inflammatory accusations, only to have those very same parties abandon their allegations when faced with a motion to dismiss and sanctions,” Judge Perry-Bond wrote.
The multifaceted artist was sued by her former stylist and longtime friend last April. Hylton claimed Blige ruined her business relationship with rapper Vado by convincing him to sign with her label, Beautiful Life Productions, despite the New York rapper reportedly having initially committed to her management company. She also accused Blige of withholding Vado's album until he cut all ties with Hylton and her company. Hylton demanded $5 million in damages.
Blige denied the allegations and called the lawsuit "frivolous." After filing a motion to dismiss last July, the singer's attorney, Lisa Moore, alleged that Hylton intentionally launched her legal battle to harass her, cause "malicious injury" to her career, and force her to cough up a massive settlement. Hylton's team never filed a response to the motion, which prompted Judge Perry-Bond to drop the case. While Blige's camp did not immediately comment on the ruling, Hylton did share a statement to The Breakfast Club's Loren LoRosa.
“Over the years, there have been people very close to me who have hurt me deeply, and I chose not to pursue them even when I could have, and maybe should have," Hylton said. "That reflection led me to ask myself why I would choose a different path for someone I once called my sister. Through this experience, I learned that mixing family, friendship, and business is not always wise, and that even in painful moments there are meaningful lessons to be learned."
"While I don’t agree with everything that was done, I chose peace," she concluded. "This entire ordeal has taken a significant toll on my mental health and has caused me to reflect deeply on life, memories, relationships, and their true purpose and meaning. I pray for healing for all of us.”