Rapper Nicki Minaj has asked a federal judge in Atlanta to dismiss a $30m (£17.8m) legal claim against her by her former wig designer.
Terrence Davidson sued the star in February, accusing her of selling wigs based on his designs without permission.
Lawyers for Minaj argued that the case should be thrown out as Mr Davidson had failed to state a valid claim.
They added he was “upset because he lost his most famous client”.
Mr Davidson, who began working for Minaj in 2010, created wigs the star wore at high-profile events and in her Super Bass music video.
‘Creative differences’
He claims Minaj and her team reneged on discussions to launch his own reality show and wig line, saying the star had since copied his wig designs and was selling them online.
Christopher Chestnut, Mr Davidson’s lawyer, said his client’s wigs “significantly contributed” to Minaj’s notoriety and helped her rise to fame.
The hair stylist stopped working for the rapper in 2013, citing creative differences.
According to legal papers, Minaj’s lawyers said Mr Davidson was seeking to force himself into a business relationship the star and her team had developed in a bid to receive money he had not earned.
Responding to claims Minaj prevented him from becoming a reality TV star, they said Mr Davidson’s “self-described talents are insufficient to garner the same types of business opportunities he may have received when serving as [Minaj’s] hairstylist”.
