Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of billionaire Jeff Bezos, is facing a plagiarism lawsuit filed by her former friend and yoga instructor, Alanna Zabel. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on September 17, 2023, claims that Sánchez’s newly released children’s book, The Fly Who Flew To Space, is strikingly similar to Zabel’s earlier self-published work, Dharma Kitty Goes to Mars.
The Accusations
Alanna Zabel, an author of seven children’s books and Lauren Sánchez’s yoga teacher from 2007 to 2010, alleges that 60% of the content in Sánchez’s book is identical to her own. Zabel claims that during their years of friendship, the two had discussed collaborating on a children’s book. Zabel shared her specific idea about a cat flying to Mars with Sánchez as part of their long-running discussions, which continued for 16 years, even after their professional relationship ended.
In 2022, Zabel reached out to Sánchez via email, text, and social media, proposing that the proceeds from the potential book could go to the Bezos Earth Fund and the Bezos Academy, two philanthropic initiatives led by Jeff Bezos. Zabel claims she received no response and later decided to self-publish Dharma Kitty Goes to Mars in late 2022.
Lauren Sánchez’s Book
Sánchez went public with her own book project in early 2023 and released The Fly Who Flew To Space on September 10. The book tells the story of Flynn, a fly who dreams of becoming an astronaut and eventually travels to space. Zabel contends that this plot closely mirrors her story of a cat going to Mars, with the core themes and narrative structure bearing a striking resemblance.
The Legal Battle
Zabel claims that the similarities between the two books have caused her significant emotional distress. The lawsuit does not specify a monetary amount for damages, but in a later court filing, Zabel requested $35,000 in compensation, as well as a public apology and an acknowledgment of plagiarism from Sánchez.
The lawsuit is poised to draw significant public attention, given Lauren Sánchez’s high-profile relationship with Jeff Bezos. Sánchez, 55, is an American entertainment reporter and news anchor of Mexican descent. She gained widespread recognition when she was featured in People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” issue in 2010. However, her fame reached new heights in 2018 when news broke of her relationship with Bezos, both of whom were married at the time. After finalizing their respective divorces, Bezos and Sánchez announced their engagement in May 2023.
As the case moves forward, all eyes will be on the court proceedings. If the claims of plagiarism hold, this legal battle could have significant implications for Sánchez’s budding literary career. The outcome may also influence her public image, as her relationship with one of the world’s richest men continues to garner media attention.
