Submit Malone finds himself entangled in a $10 million authorized battle with a Utah limo driver who claims the Grammy-nominated artist by no means compensated him for his outstanding function in a 2020 music video.

Larry Deuel, a trainer and part-time chauffeur, filed a lawsuit towards Submit Malone, rapper Tyla Yaweh, Sony Music Leisure and different events.

The grievance alleges fraudulent inducement, misappropriation of title and likeness, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

The authorized dispute facilities round Deuel’s look within the “Tommy Lee” music video, a collaboration between Submit Malone and Tyla Yaweh launched in 2020.

In keeping with court docket paperwork, Deuel was initially employed to supply transportation providers to Submit Malone’s ranch the place the video shoot was going down.

As soon as they arrived on the location, Deuel says each artists requested him to take part within the filming course of. The lawsuit states that Submit Malone and Tyla Yaweh promised Deuel he can be “taken care of” financially for his time and participation within the manufacturing.

Regardless of that includes prominently all through the music video, Deuel claims he by no means acquired any financial compensation for his look. The lawsuit additionally alleges that he by no means signed a launch kind granting the artists permission to make use of his title, picture and likeness within the last video.

“Absent Mr. Deuel’s presence in Tommy Lee, the theme of wealth, energy, fame, privilege, and success would have been visually underwhelming, supported solely by two unkempt musicians smoking blunts driving ATVs in a dust area,” the court docket paperwork state.

Deuel’s authorized workforce argues that his presence was important to the video’s narrative and visible affect. The limo driver is now in search of $10 million in damages, together with punitive damages and revenue disgorgement from the defendants.

The lawsuit reveals that Deuel has spent the previous 5 years trying to resolve the matter exterior of court docket. His most up-to-date effort concerned delivering a letter dated August 8, 2025, by way of authorized counsel to Submit Malone’s representatives.

“Submit Malone’s safety element laughed on the constable trying to serve course of and refused to just accept service,” in keeping with the court docket submitting.

The authorized motion comes throughout a very busy interval for Submit Malone, who lately celebrated the grand opening of his Nashville bar, Posty’s, on October 9. The Decrease Broadway venue attracted greater than 30,000 followers for a free live performance that includes shock friends together with Lainey Wilson and Brooks & Dunn.

Submit Malone can be set to headline the 2026 Stagecoach Nation Music Pageant alongside Cody Johnson and Lainey Wilson. The crossover artist has efficiently transitioned between Hip-Hop and nation music, together with his latest collaborations incomes important chart success.

Neither Submit Malone nor Tyla Yaweh have issued public statements relating to the lawsuit. The case was filed on October 17, 2025.

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