Los Angeles – Lauren Sánchez, the fiancée of billionaire Jeff Bezos, is facing a lawsuit from a former friend who claims that her newly published children’s book contains substantial similarities to her own work. The lawsuit alleges that 60% of the content in Sánchez’s book closely resembles that of the plaintiff’s.
Lawsuit Overview
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on September 17, involves Alanna Zabel, a former yoga instructor and author of seven children’s books. Zabel claims that she and Sánchez had discussed the idea of writing a children’s book together for over 16 years, dating back to when Zabel taught yoga to Sánchez in 2007.
Despite ending their yoga sessions in 2010, Zabel continued to propose a collaboration, including a specific idea about a flying cat that travels to Mars, which she shared with Sánchez in 2022 through email, text messages, and Instagram. Zabel suggested that proceeds from the book could benefit the Bezos Earth Fund and the Bezos Academy, a network of free preschools founded by Jeff Bezos.
The Books in Question
After not receiving any response from Sánchez, Zabel self-published her book titled Dharma Kitty Goes to Mars in late 2022. In January 2023, Sánchez announced her own book project and published The Fly Who Flew To Space on September 10. This book features a fly named Flynn, who dreams of becoming an astronaut and finds his way to a spaceship.
Zabel’s lawsuit claims that Sánchez’s book shares over 60% of its content and plot points with her own work. According to Zabel, this has caused significant emotional distress. While the lawsuit does not specify a monetary amount, Zabel later indicated she is seeking $35,000 in damages, along with an apology from Sánchez and an acknowledgment of plagiarism.
Lauren Sánchez’s Background
Lauren Wendy Sánchez, 55, is a Mexican-American entertainment reporter and news anchor who gained fame after being featured in People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” issue in 2010. Sánchez became widely known for her romantic relationship with Jeff Bezos, which began while both were still married to other people. Following their divorces, the couple announced their engagement in May 2023.
As this lawsuit unfolds, it raises questions about creativity, collaboration, and the complexities of personal relationships in the public eye. The outcome could set a significant precedent in the realm of literary disputes, especially concerning works aimed at children.
