Former child star Stacie Orrico has filed a civil lawsuit in Los Angeles against her former manager, alleging years of childhood sexual abuse, and asserting that multiple music industry entities failed in their duty to protect her.
According to People, the civil complaint, filed on January 6, names Britt Ham as well as several corporate defendants, including Universal Music Group and ForeFront Records. Orrico is seeking unspecified damages and has requested a jury trial.
The filing marks a major legal move by the singer, who became a household name in the early 2000s as a teen pop star with a strong crossover presence in both Christian and mainstream music.
Orrico first broke through with her debut album Genuine in 2000 and later scored her biggest hit with “(There’s Gotta Be) More to Life,” which peaked inside the Billboard Hot 100. Her follow-up single, “Stuck,” also charted and was featured in the Disney Channel movie Stuck in the Suburbs.
According to the lawsuit, Orrico began working with Ham early in her career after winning a Christian music competition as a preteen. The complaint alleges that Ham became her manager soon after she signed with ForeFront Records and that he maintained authority over her professional affairs for several years.
The filing further alleges that industry executives and affiliated companies were aware of red flags concerning the relationship but failed to intervene.
In a statement included with the lawsuit, Orrico said, “The music industry failed to protect me when I was a little girl. 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, harmed in the music industry and in the Church.”
The complaint states that Orrico delayed taking legal action due to years of therapy and personal struggle, and that she is now seeking accountability for what she describes as lasting harm to her life and career.
Court documents also note that her time in the music industry ended abruptly in the mid-2000s, shortly after the release of her second album, Beautiful Awakening, which earned her a Grammy nomination.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault or exploitation, help is available. In the U.S., confidential support can be accessed through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 (HOPE) or online at RAINN.org, where trained professionals are available 24/7.