Gloria Gaynor, the iconic singer behind the timeless disco anthem “I Will Survive,” has filed a lawsuit against her former producer, Joel Diamond, seeking $2 million in damages.
The legal battle, detailed in court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, centers on allegations that Diamond and his affiliated companies withheld payments and wrongfully claimed ownership of several of Gaynor’s songs.
The lawsuit, filed on July 26 in the Southern District of New York, accuses Diamond of failing to provide Gaynor with transparent accounting for the licensing and usage of her music.
Gaynor alleges that Diamond falsely asserted ownership over songs such as “I’ve Been Watching You,” “You’re All I Need to Get By,” and “I Am What I Am.”
The complaint also claims that Diamond improperly listed himself as a co-writer on at least one track.
“At no time did Gaynor write a song with Diamond. To her knowledge, Diamond has never been a songwriter,” the lawsuit states.
Gaynor contends that despite repeated requests for an accounting of royalties, Diamond and his companies have not provided any payments or clarity on how her music has been licensed. The complaint accuses Diamond of “suppressing” payments that rightfully belong to Gaynor.
In response to the allegations, Diamond told Fox News Digital:
“I am in the process of retaining counsel. The allegations are demonstrably false. The written contract is very clear and has been in place for 40 years. Sony has acknowledged that I own 100 percent of the rights. Any statement contrary to this fact is defamatory, and I intend to exercise my legal rights to the fullest extent.”
Gaynor is joined in the lawsuit by Robin Randall, a songwriter who also accuses Diamond of fraudulently claiming ownership of her copyrighted works and wrongfully entering into licensing agreements.
Randall further alleges that Diamond coerced her mother and songwriting partner, Judithe Randall, into signing over her ownership rights while Judithe was significantly ill and later institutionalized. Judithe Randall passed away in 2002.
The lawsuit names Diamond and his companies—Joel Diamond Entertainment, Silver Blue Productions, and Ocean Blue Music—as defendants, alleging breach of contract, copyright infringement, and fraud.
Gaynor, who continues to be a beloved figure in the music industry, most recently appeared on The Masked Singer in 2022.
Reflecting on her career-defining hit, she said:
“It’s very encouraging to me that I could have [recorded] a song that would be so long-lasting and mean so much to people… It’s amazing.”
