The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, Jan. 6, names Britt Ham, who managed Orrico early in her career, along with Universal Music Group, ForeFront Records, and other defendants. Orrico alleges negligence, sexual battery, childhood sexual abuse, and gender violence.
“The music industry failed to protect me when I was a little girl,” Orrico said in a statement. “It has taken me years to become strong enough — but I am ready to fight for every young and innocent person who has been, and continues to be, abused in the music industry and in the Church.”
According to the complaint, Orrico was just 12 years old when she won a Christian music festival in 1998 and caught the attention of Ham, who worked for Rocketown Management. She signed with ForeFront Records the following year, and Ham became her manager. The label allegedly assured Orrico and her family that maintaining a “wholesome” Christian image was central to her career.
Orrico’s debut album, Genuine, was released in 2000. Later that year, when she was 14, the lawsuit claims Ham sexually assaulted her for the first time during a business trip to Los Angeles. The filing describes how Orrico was confused and ashamed afterward, and alleges that Ham manipulated her by alternating between blaming her and telling her the acts were not sinful because he loved her.
The lawsuit says the abuse continued over several years. When Orrico was 15, Ham allegedly assaulted her again during later trips to Los Angeles. The complaint further claims that others noticed inappropriate behavior, including a warning to Orrico’s father and concerns raised by a hired companion, who was allegedly fired after alerting the label.
Despite these warning signs, Orrico alleges the defendants failed to act. The lawsuit claims Ham continued abusing her until 2003, when she was 17. Orrico says she ended her relationship with him in March 2004, shortly after turning 18.
The filing states that Orrico has suffered long-term emotional harm, including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and a loss of self-esteem. Her music career, once promising, reportedly came to an abrupt halt around 2007, after she left ForeFront and Virgin Records.
“Stacie’s case is a chilling account of a child whose love for God and extraordinary talent were exploited,” said her attorney, Mo Hamoudi. “Instead of protecting her, the system allowed her abuse while others profited.”
Now 39, Orrico is married and a mother of two. Her last album was released in 2006. The lawsuit says she continues to experience lasting emotional effects and is seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial.
Orrico rose to fame in the early 2000s, with her biggest hit, “(There’s Gotta Be) More to Life,” reaching No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. She was also nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album at the Grammy Awards in 2004.
The defendants have not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
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