What happens when jilted stage moms take up a vendetta against celebrities who previously hired their talented kids?
A good example is the battle between Momager Anjie Sanderson and the girl group run by the popular singer/dancer/producer JoJo Siwa’s mother, Jessalyn.
Sanderson’s daughter Leigha was a member of XOMG POP!, the Siwa’s girl group, for just under 2 years until she was fired.
Anjie blames it on Leigha’s physical issues with spina bifida, claiming it made her struggle to keep up with the group’s rigorous practice sessions and challenging dance routines.
The truth is, according to the Siwas, Anjie herself was the reason for Leigha’s dismissal. Anjie was notorious among the staff and other mothers for her backstage bickering about schedules, rehearsals, costumes, finances and just about everything else.
Eventually the Siwas had enough and sent Anjie on her way.
If you’ve tracked Anjie’s reality TV career and her disruptive behavior on both Netflix’s Dancing Queen and Peacock’s Siwa’s Dance Pop Revolution, this shouldn’t come as a surprise
But Anjie wasn’t going away quietly. If you’ve been on Reddit, you may have noticed her posts about various aspects of the case. Most are just bitter comments in which Anjie continues to portray herself (or Leigha) as the victim.
For example, Anjie complained that some of the group’s promotional merchandise that included Leigha’s image was being sold on Amazon—and Leigha wasn’t being compensated. Were the Siwas taking advantage of her?
Not mentioned was that the merch likely came from an Amazon seller who had purchased it before Leigha left the group. That happens all the time. Here’s a link to the discussion in Reddit.
Could Anjie sue to get her share of that merchandise? She could try. But even if she decided to sue—for whatever reason she’s come up with so far—Anjie claims she couldn’t afford it anyway.
In a recent Reddit thread explaining why she isn’t currently suing the Siwas, she complained about how expensive court costs and legal fees were. “(In) some counties, it’s up to $25,000 just to file,” she posted. “Then there are costs for depositions and so much more. Money I do not have.”
Actually–and Anjie would know this if she only checked—filing fees for a suit of $25,000 or more in Los Angeles are just $229.50. For suits of $10,000 or less, it’s just $155.30.
Could she not afford even $230, or is the truth that she does not have a winnable case? Why has no attorney taken on the case?
Although Anjie did have an attorney representing her originally when the Siwa’s declined to settle with her, they parted ways. Depending on who you ask, it was either because the Sanderson duo didn’t have a case or couldn’t afford to sue.
Why does it seem that Anjie is out for attention to try to force financial compensation?
As to legal fees, if she had a good case, many attorneys are willing to work on a contingency arrangement where payment is delayed until there is a settlement payout or judgement at the end (assuming she can win the case). In such cases, it’s not uncommon for the attorney to absorb the upfront costs of depositions and filing fees, postponing reimbursement until after the suit is settled.
Here’s a great explanation of how lawyers handle upfront costs in a contingency case: Los Angeles Insurance Attorneys: We Take Cases On A Contingency Fee Basis
But again, lawyers take on contingency cases only if they’re convinced their client has a winnable case. So far, none have stepped forward on Anjie’s behalf.
What does that tell you?
Anjie, however, continues to paint herself as the victim. Are fans buying it? Some may be, but others are definitely not. Here’s what one poster on Reddit said to Anjie after one of her “poor me” rants:
“It seems you want everyone else to take accountability but don’t take any for your own choices. We are all responsible for our choices in life. It’s starting to seem like you were completely counting on Leigha’s success to provide a full ride and since it hasn’t you are just angry and placing the blame on everyone else. I hope you find peace in all of this. The negativity isn’t doing anything for Leigha and her career.”
In the end, it all comes down to the money, as Anjie herself admits in this YouTube clip at the 5:31 to 5:56 foot count:
In the final analysis, it would appear that Anjie and Leigha are interested solely in the money. They’d happily accept compensation–even if not included in their employment contract–and walk away.
Incidentally, you’d think Anjie would have understood what was or was not included in the contract. After all, with her “extensive resume” in the entertainment industry, as she has claimed on Reddit, you’d think she would be aware of what she was signing up for.
All her other points of contention seem nothing but pressure and chaos designed to persuade the Siwas to cave in and provide something not stipulated in the original contract.
Unfortunately for the Sandersons, that’s not how contract law operates.
Finally, we have to wonder how long will this strange obsession with the Siwas go on. How many more contradictory, petty and inaccurate statements will we hear from Anjie, even down to wondering whether Jess’s family wished her a Happy Mother’s Day. (Really, Anjie?)
Will Leigha adopt her mother’s bitter traits and vindictiveness? We certainly hope not. With her talent, she deserves much better.
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