Rapper Eve Gets Sued

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JULY 23--A leading New York modeling agency is suing the rapper Eve over claims that the performer stiffed them on its share of lucrative endorsement deals initiated by the firm for the 24-year-old music star. Wilhelmina Artists Management contends that it pursued endorsement deals for Eve Jeffers with companies like Reebok, Clairol, and McDonald's soon after the entertainer signed a representation deal with the Manhattan company in May 2001, according to the lawsuit (at left) filed in New York State Supreme Court. After the parties split last year, Wilhelmina contends that Eve subsequently signed shoe endorsement contracts with Reebok and Candies, deals that Wilhelmina claims to have originally put in motion. The agency, which represents models Esther Canadas and Tyson Beckford, and singers Brandy, Jessica Simpson, and Usher, does not specify damages in the lawsuit filed late last month. In April, Wilhelmina filed a similar complaint against Beyonce Knowles, claiming that the singer owed the firm an $88,250 commission in connection with a L'Oreal endorsement deal. (13 pages)