RBD Members Settle Financial Dispute With Ex-Manager: ‘The Truth Is On Our Side’
RBD‘s five members — Maite Perroni, Christian Chávez and Christopher von Uckermann — announced on Friday (Oct. 4) that “the matter has concluded.”
Rosas and RBD parted ways in January after the Mexican band’s ultra-successful Soy Rebelde World Tour. In May, RBD revealed in a statement issued by its lawyers that there were “significant irregularities” revealed in a forensic accounting investigation led by Critin Cooperman — a services firm that acted as a business manager for the tour and had also conducted a financial audit.
In a statement shared on Friday (Oct. 4) — known to fans as World RBD Day — Perroni, Chávez and von Uckermann wrote: “As set forth in the final agreement, T6H, through its owner Guillermo Rosas, was claiming that Guillermo’s company was entitled to $10,072,811.00 in connection with Guillermo and his company’s management of RBD’s live performance tour in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil and Colombia. Following our filing of a complaint against Guillermo and his company in both Federal Court and with the California Labor Commissioner, in addition to a thorough audit we commissioned, T6H agreed as part of the final settlement agreement to accept the sum of $4,723,591.00, an amount which is $5,349,220.00 less than what Guillermo was claiming to be owed.”
Notably, RBD’s other two members, Anahí and Dulce María, did not sign on to the letter. An RBD representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment on their absence.
In December, RBD wrapped its massive world tour, which as of Nov. 30 had grossed $197.1 million since launching in August. Rosas also worked with the band as a concert promoter from 2006 to 2008. Under a new business model designed for RBD’s comeback tour, the group’s first trek in 15 years, the five members and Rosas were deemed equal partners in a new joint venture, splitting all new revenue, including for music.
The statement continues: “This is why we made the decision to take action in this situation. We felt a responsibility to address the challenges that can arise in the industry, with our priority being the protection of artists rights. This is a reminder for young artists to have the courage to stand up for themselves and demand respect. We are very satisfied with the outcome of our action and will continue to advocate for justice and respect in the artistic world.”
Billboard reached out to Guillermo Rosas but had not heard back at press time.
Read Perroni, Chávez and von Uckermann’s statement below in Spanish, Portuguese and English:
Chris Eggertsen
Billboard
