Now, a Delaware judge has ruled that Voletta's trust is entitled to $12,518,336 in company distributions, plus interest. The October 27 decision rejected arguments from Evans and Notorious B.I.G., LLC that only $48,612 should be paid to the trust while a separate challenge to Barrow's authority proceeded in Pennsylvania.

The dispute concerns a business Faith and Voletta built together to manage the intellectual property of The Notorious B.I.G.. For years, they shared ownership and management responsibilities. After Voletta's death, Faith became sole manager, and the question of who could exercise Voletta's rights became a matter for the courts.

(Photo by Joy Malone/Getty Images)

How Faith Evans Became Entitled To Biggie's Business Income

Faith's financial connection to Biggie stretches back decades. They married in 1994 and had a son, Christopher "C.J." Wallace, in 1996. Although separated, they remained legally married when Biggie was murdered in March 1997, leaving behind a young family and a catalog that would continue generating income for decades.

In 2007, Faith and Voletta formed Notorious B.I.G., LLC to manage his intellectual property. A March 2023 operating agreement, described in the Delaware court's earlier ruling, provides a detailed picture of how the family's financial interests were divided.

Faith and Voletta each owned 50% of the company's membership units and were its two managers. Each also assigned half of her rights to distributions to one of Biggie's children. That left Faith, Voletta, C.J., and Biggie's daughter, T'yanna Wallace, each entitled to 25% of the company's distributions.

Faith's right to that income therefore came through her own company interest. Voletta's trust inherited Voletta's separate interest after her death. The lawsuit concerns the payments associated with that inherited share, while Faith's own distribution rights existed alongside it.

The Business Behind The Money

Biggie released just one studio album during his lifetime, "Ready to Die." His second, "Life After Death," arrived shortly after his murder. Those recordings, songs such as "Juicy," "Big Poppa," and "Hypnotize," and the continued commercial appeal of his name and image supported a business that grew long after his death.

Voletta played a central role in that growth. She helped oversee the estate, participated in the development of the 2009 biopic "Notorious," and worked to secure greater control over her son's music rights. Faith maintained her own recording career while also participating in the company managing Biggie's intellectual property.

In March 2025, Primary Wave confirmed a partnership involving Biggie's publishing, recordings, and certain name, image, and likeness rights. The Wall Street Journal reported that Primary Wave acquired a 50% interest in a transaction valuing Biggie's life's work at more than $200 million. Voletta had approved the deal before her death the previous month; the purchase price was not publicly disclosed.

The partnership brought a major outside music-rights investor into the business. Within months, however, the family company was facing litigation over whether Voletta's trust could receive its share of the proceeds.

The Changes That Sparked The Family Dispute

Voletta's original estate documents named C.J., her friend Carol Sampson, and Barrow as successor trustees and executors. Her February 6, 2025, amendments removed C.J. and Sampson, leaving Barrow as the sole successor in both roles. Voletta died on February 21.

The amendments also changed the charitable provisions. They removed a specific gift of her company interest to the Voletta Wallace Foundation and directed assets not otherwise specifically bequeathed to the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation.

Barrow accepted his appointment as trustee and received authority to act as executor. Faith disputed the trust's company membership and withheld distributions. Barrow sued Faith and the LLC in July 2025 to establish the trust's rights.

C.J. filed his own Pennsylvania challenge in February 2026, alleging that Barrow had exercised undue influence over his grandmother and challenging his appointment. The Delaware proceedings did not decide those allegations. In August, however, Chancellor Kathaleen St. J. McCormick ruled that the trust qualified as a member of the company and was entitled to distributions.

Barrow's attorney, Jay W. Freiberg, told Rolling Stone after that ruling that "Mama Wallace wanted Wayne to steward the legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. after she was gone." Faith and the company's position was that the dispute over his authority warranted delaying payment of the contested funds.

What The $12.5 Million Represents

The October ruling supplied the amount owed: three $4 million distributions, another $469,724, and $48,612, totaling $12,518,336. These amounts were attributable to Voletta's economic interest in the company.

Faith and the LLC argued that only the $48,612 should be paid to the trust. They offered to deposit the disputed balance with the Delaware court while C.J.'s Pennsylvania challenge proceeded.

McCormick rejected that proposal. Although the trust formally became a company member on December 12, 2025, its entitlement to the distributions reached back to Voletta's death. The challenge to Barrow's appointment did not suspend those economic rights.

The judge also awarded interest at the statutory rate, compounded quarterly from the dates the distributions were made. Barrow was instructed to submit a final proposed order within 20 days. The decision establishes the trust's right to the company distributions; it does not document their subsequent collection.

Read more: Faith Evans Loses $12.5 Million Court Fight Over Biggie's Mother's Trust

That amount covers co-executors John Branca and the late John McClain, along with legal compensation. Paris argues that the estate's financial accountings do not adequately support the request. She wants the management rate reduced from 15% to 10% of gross entertainment-related income.

The estate disputes her allegations. Its representatives say the management arrangement was authorized by the court, that the executors waived statutory executor compensation, and that financial accountings Paris is challenging have already been filed.

Paris is one of several family members who benefit from the estate, alongside her brothers Prince Jackson and Bigi Jackson, and their grandmother, Katherine Jackson. The disagreement centers on two questions with significant consequences for that financial legacy: how much the professionals operating Michael Jackson's business should earn, and what financial information should accompany approval of their compensation.

(Photo by TheStewartofNY/WireImage)

What The $109 Million Represents

According to Rolling Stone's reporting on Paris's October 23 motion, the compensation at issue totals $109,219,648 for the two-year period. It is an aggregate covering the co-executors and lawyers, rather than an individual payment to Branca. McClain, who helped manage the estate alongside Branca from 2009, died in May 2026.

Paris's objection concerns the supporting financial records. She alleges that the 2023 and 2024 accountings were incomplete and that a September 15 deadline for complete disclosures was missed. Her position is that the court needs adequate information to evaluate compensation of this size.

The estate maintains that those accountings have been submitted. The disagreement therefore includes the adequacy of the filings, as well as the compensation itself.

The Management Fee Paris Wants Changed

Paris is seeking a five-percentage-point reduction in the management rate, from 15% to 10%. That would amount to a one-third reduction in the fee on the same income base.

For a simple illustration, assume the estate receives $100 million in income covered by the arrangement. A 15% fee would be $15 million; a 10% fee would be $10 million. The difference would leave another $5 million in the estate before other expenses and distributions.

The proposed reduction would apply to 2023, 2024, and subsequent years until a complete 2026 accounting is filed. Her request ties the lower rate to the delivery of the financial information she is seeking.

The $109.2 million compensation total includes multiple recipients and categories of payment. Calculating the dollar effect of a rate change would require identifying the income and compensation covered by the court's eventual decision.

The Estate's Response

The estate's response emphasizes the distinction between administering a deceased person's estate and operating the commercial business that continues to generate income from that person's work. Its representatives say Branca and McClain waived the statutory compensation available to executors and instead received a separate management fee approved by the court.

In a statement to TMZ, an estate representative described that payment as:

"a separate, court-ordered management fee for operating the hugely successful Michael Jackson business."

The estate also disputes the premise of the requested accounting penalties. Its representative says the 2023 and 2024 accountings have been filed and that the deadlines for the 2025 and 2026 accountings have not yet arrived.

Percentage-based compensation has been part of the estate's management structure for years. In 2010, a judge approved an arrangement giving Branca and McClain a combined 10% of specified entertainment-related income, with major exclusions. The court subsequently approved changes involving professional services, including legal work by Branca's firm. Those earlier arrangements show that compensation has evolved under court oversight as the business has expanded.

The Business Behind The Fees

When Michael Jackson died in 2009, he left valuable music rights alongside hundreds of millions of dollars in debt and a complicated collection of business obligations. Branca and McClain oversaw a turnaround that generated revenue through music, licensing, theatrical productions, and major transactions.

In 2016, Sony acquired the estate's remaining 50% interest in Sony/ATV Music Publishing in a transaction involving $750 million in total payments. The company included the Beatles publishing rights Jackson had acquired decades earlier, as detailed in the history of his music-publishing investments.

In 2024, Sony acquired a 50% interest in a package of Jackson's recorded-music and publishing assets in a deal reported at at least $600 million. That transaction included Mijac publishing assets. Alongside these transactions, the estate developed projects including "This Is It," Cirque du Soleil productions, and "MJ the Musical," while continuing to earn income from recordings and licensing.

Managing that business involves negotiating deals, developing productions, protecting intellectual property, and handling legal and financial matters. The estate points to its commercial results in defending its compensation structure. Paris's motion asks the court to assess the reporting obligations that accompany that structure.

The Earlier $625,000 Bonus Dispute

The latest motion follows a separate disagreement over $625,000 in bonuses paid to outside law firms for work in 2018. CNW covered that dispute earlier this year, before a judge ordered the payments returned to the estate.

The court found that the information presented did not sufficiently justify those particular bonuses. The payments had gone to outside counsel, and the estate's representatives said the firms had agreed to return funds if the court declined to approve them.

The same ruling also acknowledged the management team's achievements. In a statement reported by ABC News, the estate's attorneys highlighted the court's recognition of the estate's financial transformation and the creation of "real and substantial generational wealth" for its beneficiaries. The estate said it disagreed with the bonus decision but respected it.

That history gives the current dispute useful context. The management team's commercial accomplishments and Paris's requests for financial disclosure are both part of the record. The new motion asks the court to decide whether the accounting issues she alleges warrant changing the fee arrangement; the estate maintains that its filings and court-approved compensation do not justify that reduction.

Read more: Paris Jackson Isn't Happy That Her Dad's Estate Team Is Requesting $109 Million In Compensation

That trend has continued throughout Barkley's career, even after he signed a record-setting contract last year. He's made about $96.7 million in salary over his NFL career to date, but he's inked quite a bit more money thanks to his endorsement and investment portfolio.

Barkley primarily invests in technology companies that he believes are making life better for their customers. His portfolio consists of at least six companies valued at $1 billion or more, including Anthropic, Anduril, Ramp, Cognition, Neuralink, and Strike. Additionally, Barkley is a limited partner in funds including Founders Fund, Thrive Capital, Silver Point Capital, and Multicoin Capital. But there's one notable omission, a company he recently had to remove from his portfolio, per NFL rules.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Barkley was previously an investor in the prediction market platform Polymarket before the NFL told him he had to divest that interest. Per Barkley, each season, the league shares rules around what players can and can't support in terms of endorsement deals. This year, sportsbooks and prediction market platforms were off the market (pardon the wordplay).

The running back told Front Office Sports that "I'm not allowed to be in that" in regards to Polymarket. He said the notice from the league came around June or July of this year. Polymarket was valued at about $21 billion earlier this summer, so even a minimal stake could have provided Barkley with a nice return.

Of course, the NFL is still happy to partner with various gambling companies, but it hasn't yet bought into prediction markets. That's not true of other pro sports leagues, however. The NBA has deals with Kalshi and Polymarket as its "preferred prediction markets." The MLB just wrapped up its season; it started the year agreeing to a four-year deal with Polymarket worth up to $300 million. Both MLS and the NHL have prediction market deals, too.

If we had to…ahem, predict the future, we'd guess these prediction markets aren't going away anytime soon. But we'd also venture that leagues are going to have to deal with some dicey situations regarding what its players are supporting around gambling and prediction markets. And more importantly, whether those moves are biting into the integrity of the sport itself.

Read more: The NFL Has Made Saquon Barkley Give Up His Stake In Polymarket

Jean-Louis van der Velde is a Dutch businessman, technology entrepreneur, and cryptocurrency executive who has a net worth of $18 billion.

Jean-Louis van der Velde earned his fortune through his ownership interests in Tether, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, and cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex. A longtime technology executive based in Asia, he became chief executive of Bitfinex in 2013 and later led Tether during its transformation from a small digital-currency venture into a central part of the global cryptocurrency market. He stepped down as Tether's CEO in December 2023, moving into an advisory role while continuing to lead Bitfinex.

Van der Velde has maintained a remarkably low public profile despite overseeing businesses that handle enormous amounts of money. His career began in electronics and software, and he spent decades building companies in Asia before becoming a cryptocurrency billionaire. In 2026, Dutch business magazine Quote placed him at the top of its annual Quote 500, ahead of Heineken heiress Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken. His rise reflects the extraordinary profitability of Tether, which earns investment income on the reserves backing its dollar-linked tokens and reported more than $10 billion in net profit for 2025.

Tether Ownership and Business Profits

Van der Velde is one of a small group of executives whose ownership interests in Tether became multibillion-dollar fortunes. In February 2026, Forbes valued the company at $200 billion and assigned him a 19% stake worth $38 billion. Its profile of Van der Velde described his ownership as 20%.

Earlier ownership records show a different distribution. Documents examined by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists placed his Tether stake at 15% in 2018. The company has not publicly released a complete, current shareholder breakdown. Other major figures in its ownership and leadership have included Giancarlo Devasini, Paolo Ardoino, and Stuart Hoegner.

In its 2026 ranking, Quote valued Van der Velde's fortune at €26 billion, twice its €13 billion valuation for De Carvalho-Heineken. His inclusion followed the magazine's confirmation that he retained Dutch citizenship after decades living abroad.

Tether's business earns income largely by investing the reserves backing USDT. The company reported more than $10 billion in net profit in 2025, with $186 billion in tokens outstanding and $193 billion in reserve assets at year-end. Its direct and indirect exposure to U.S. Treasury securities exceeded $141 billion.

The company's financial results also fluctuate with investment values. In the second quarter of 2026, Tether reported $1.5 billion in net operating profit, while its broader financial result for the first half was a $3.2 billion loss. Its excess reserve buffer fell from $8.2 billion at the end of the first quarter to $4.1 billion at the end of the second.

Early Life and Education

Jean-Louis van der Velde was born in Arnhem, the Netherlands, in 1963. He moved to Taiwan in 1985 to attend university and remained in Asia, building his career across the region.

He attended National Taiwan Normal University from 1985 to 1988. His professional biography describes him as speaking five languages, a useful skill for a career spanning European and Asian technology businesses.

Technology Career

Before entering cryptocurrency, Van der Velde worked in electronics, software, distribution, and manufacturing. His businesses were involved in embedded computer systems, digital television, internet video, and web applications.

He served as managing director of Amos Ltd. during the 1990s and co-founded Tuxia, an embedded Linux software company, in 1999. During the dot-com era, he spoke at technology conferences about open-source software and the development of internet-connected devices.

Van der Velde later led PAG Asia and held executive and investment roles involving companies in Hong Kong and mainland China. His move into financial technology followed years of experience running businesses that combined technical development with international sales and operations.

Bitfinex

Van der Velde joined Bitfinex in early 2013 and became its chief executive. The exchange developed into a major marketplace for Bitcoin and other digital assets, offering trading, margin financing, and services aimed at experienced cryptocurrency investors.

His role included building the company's operating structure and relationships with banks, regulators, and business partners. Bitfinex's growth also brought it into close contact with Tether, whose dollar-linked token gave traders a way to move funds between cryptocurrency markets without relying on a conventional bank transfer for every transaction.

One of the most consequential events of his tenure occurred in August 2016, when hackers stole nearly 120,000 Bitcoin from Bitfinex. The exchange spread the losses across customer accounts, reducing balances by 36.067%, and issued BFX tokens representing the dollar value of those losses.

Customers could trade the tokens, redeem them as Bitfinex made repayments, or convert them into equity in its parent company, iFinex. By April 2017, Bitfinex announced that all outstanding BFX tokens had been redeemed. The episode became one of the cryptocurrency industry's most prominent examples of an exchange surviving a major theft through a combination of debt restructuring and customer equity participation.

Tether

Tether began in 2014 under the name Realcoin, founded by entrepreneurs including Brock Pierce, Reeve Collins, and Craig Sellars. Its original founders later transferred ownership interests to Bitfinex executives, including Van der Velde and Devasini.

The company's principal product, USDT, is designed to maintain a value of one U.S. dollar. It became widely used for cryptocurrency trading, cross-border transfers, and access to dollar-linked funds in markets where conventional banking services can be difficult to obtain.

As CEO, Van der Velde helped oversee Tether's expansion and its relationships with financial institutions and regulators. The company eventually developed a substantial U.S. Treasury portfolio, with Cantor Fitzgerald, the financial firm long led by Howard Lutnick, serving as a key financial partner.

In October 2023, Tether announced that chief technology officer Paolo Ardoino would succeed Van der Velde as CEO that December. Van der Velde moved into an advisory position at Tether and retained his role as Bitfinex's chief executive.

Regulatory Settlements

Tether and Bitfinex faced major regulatory scrutiny during Van der Velde's tenure. In February 2021, the companies agreed to an $18.5 million settlement with the New York attorney general and stopped serving New York customers.

The attorney general's investigation concerned statements about Tether's reserves and Bitfinex's loss of access to $850 million held through payment processor Crypto Capital. Authorities found that the companies had misled customers about their financial position and transfers of funds between the businesses. The settlement also imposed reporting and disclosure requirements.

In October 2021, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ordered Tether to pay $41 million over misleading statements about the backing of USDT. The regulator found that Tether had not consistently maintained the full fiat-currency reserves it had represented to customers.

The CFTC separately ordered Bitfinex to pay $1.5 million for unlawful retail commodity transactions and violations of an earlier order. These penalties were imposed on the companies and their related entities.

Personal Life and Public Profile

Van der Velde has lived in Asia since the 1980s and is based in Hong Kong. He has also participated in university teaching in Taiwan, including lectures related to blockchain and regulation.

His reluctance to seek publicity has distinguished him from many cryptocurrency entrepreneurs. In his book "Number Go Up," journalist Zeke Faux described meeting Van der Velde at a 2022 Bahamas conference organized by Sam Bankman-Fried. Van der Velde introduced himself as "the man who doesn't exist," acknowledging the mystery surrounding an executive whose businesses had become central to the cryptocurrency economy.

Read more: Jean-Louis van der Velde Net Worth

Last season, college football coaches received a record $228 million in buyout money. This year hasn't had nearly as many firings yet, though we're only midway through the season. Coaching changes tend to happen either after dreadful starts or toward the end of the year, when it's clear the current coach isn't coming back, and it's not too late to find a replacement.

In other words, expect the total buyout amount to rise from where it's currently at. Three Power 4 coaches have already been let go by their former schools, and they'll collectively make a total of $32 million. Let's see how the financials break down.

Dave Aranda is the most recently fired coach. So far, he's receiving the largest buyout package of the season. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

Dave Aranda, Baylor: $12 million

Baylor lost its first game of the year against Auburn by mere inches, falling just short on a two-point conversion in the closing seconds that would have eked out a victory. After four straight wins, it seemed like the Bears had regained their way. But disappointing conference losses to TCU and Kansas were enough for the university to look for a change. Dave Aranda, who signed a contract extension in 2022, will receive about $12 million in his buyout package.

Aranda finishes with a 40-40 record over 6.5 seasons at Baylor. His best season came in 2021, his second year with the school. The Bears went 12-2, won the Big 12, and earned a Sugar Bowl victory, finishing 6th and 5th in the Coaches and AP Polls, respectively. But the school could never build on that success, and wound up with losing seasons in three of the following four years. Baylor has turned to Joe Klanderman as interim coach; Klanderman was in his first year as defensive coordinator.

Dave Doeren, North Carolina State: $10.3 million

Dave Doeren won double-digit games in each of his two seasons at Northern Illinois before the North Carolina State Wolfpack brought him to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013. Despite a 98-73 record overall, Doeren never once reached 10 (or more) wins in 13.5 seasons in Raleigh. He did hit nine victories on four occasions, and the Wolfpack finished the season ranked three times between 2017 and 2023. But a losing season in 2024 and a shaky 3-4 start this year led to his undoing.

The bad news: At 54 years old, Doeren was potentially considering retirement after this season. That wouldn't have led to as expensive a buyout. Instead, NC State owes him $10.3 million, including $600,000 due within 30 days of his firing. The good news: Doeren has a contract clause that states he must make reasonable efforts to find another gig. If he lands a deal with a school, it'll offset some of what NC State owes.

Mike Locksley, Maryland: $9.75 million

Mike Locksley spent multiple seasons in College Park as Maryland's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and eventually the team's interim coach during the 2015 season. He returned as the full-time head coach in 2019, but he struggled to maintain much consistency. The Terrapins finished 7-6, 8-5, and 8-5 in 2021, 2022, and 2023, winning the Pinstripe, Duke's Mayo, and Music City Bowl games, respectively. Outside of those three years, the Terrapins never posted a winning season during Locksley's tenure. He wraps up his Maryland career with a 39-54 record, including a 2-5 start this season.

Locksley got the boot after Maryland lost to Rutgers during its homecoming game. Rutgers famously began this season by losing to UMass, a school that hadn't won a game in nearly two full calendar years. Locksley was making $6.4 million in salary this season. Now, he'll get $9.75 million from his former school. And there's no offset language in his contract, so he could potentially be making money from both Maryland and his new employer. Not a bad deal at all.

Read more: Three Power 4 Coaches Who Have Been Fired This Year Will Collectively Make Over $32 Million

Brittany Kerr is an American singer, entrepreneur, social media personality, and former NBA dancer who has a net worth of $20 million.

Brittany Kerr, also known as Brittany Aldean, first attracted national attention as a contestant on "American Idol" in 2012. She later became widely known through her relationship with country singer Jason Aldean, whom she married in 2015. Over the following decade, she built a substantial social media following around fashion, beauty, motherhood, and the family's life on and off the road.

Kerr developed that audience into a business through clothing collections, hair extensions, affiliate shopping partnerships, and the fragrance brand VADA. Her products have ranged from casual loungewear to premium perfumes, with her personal style serving as a central part of their marketing. In 2026, she also returned to the musical ambitions that first brought her to television, joining Jason on "Easier Gone," their first released duet. Her public profile has additionally been shaped by her outspoken conservative politics and occasional disputes with other figures in country music.

Early Life

Brittany Layne Kerr was born on June 19, 1988, in Charlotte, North Carolina. She attended South Mecklenburg High School, where she participated in cheerleading and sang in the women's ensemble. She also sang in her church choir, played basketball and softball, and earned a black belt in taekwondo.

Kerr attended the University of Alabama, spent part of her college years at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and returned to Alabama to complete a degree in human environmental science. In 2010, she joined the Lady Cats, the dance team for the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats. She also pursued modeling before her appearance on "American Idol."

"American Idol" and Music

Kerr auditioned for the eleventh season of "American Idol" in Savannah, Georgia, performing Joss Stone's "Spoiled." Her audition aired in January 2012 and received considerable attention. With support from judges including Steven Tyler, she advanced to Hollywood, although she did not reach the show's live finals.

Her subsequent public career centered largely on social media and business, but she continued to appear alongside Jason in music-related projects. Brittany and their children were featured in the video for his 2020 single "Got What I Got."

In January 2026, the couple released "Easier Gone," featuring Brittany Aldean. The song appeared on Jason's twelfth studio album, "Songs About Us," released that April. Written by Charles Kelley, Josh Kerr, Dave Haywood, and Jimmy Robbins, the recording marked the couple's first released duet and gave Brittany a featured vocal credit more than a decade after her television audition.

Clothing, Beauty, and Social Media

Kerr's social media presence became the foundation for a series of consumer businesses. Her posts mix family photographs and travel with beauty routines, clothing recommendations, and shopping links.

In December 2018, she introduced the Brittany Aldean Collection, a holiday line that included sweatshirts, pajamas, beanies, scarves, and a candle. The collection emphasized comfortable clothing, reflecting her experience as a mother who was pregnant with her second child at the time.

In February 2021, she launched a clip-in hair extension collaboration with Harper Ellis Hair Co. The Britt by Harper Ellis Style collection offered human-hair extensions in seven colors and two lengths, 16 and 22 inches.

Kerr also developed an affiliate shopping business through platforms including LTK and ShopMy. These services allow creators to receive commissions when followers purchase recommended products. In a 2026 interview with Puck, she said income from affiliate partnerships helped her finance her fragrance venture.

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VADA Fragrances

In April 2026, Kerr launched VADA, a fragrance brand whose name honors her grandmother, Louvada. Its initial fragrances included "1924," "Muse," and "Georgia Dream," with full-size bottles priced at $98 at launch.

Kerr and her team worked with fragrance company Robertet to develop the products. The launch expanded her business beyond collaborations into a brand built around her own audience and identity.

The company soon faced a dispute over its name. On April 30, 2026, a Texas jewelry and eyewear business called Vada filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against Vada LLC and Brittany Layne, LLC, companies associated with the fragrance line. The plaintiff alleged that the branding would cause confusion with its existing business. In June 2026, the court denied the plaintiff's request for a preliminary injunction.

Personal Life

Kerr's relationship with Jason Aldean initially became public under controversial circumstances. In 2012, photographs showed the pair kissing while he was still married to his first wife, Jessica Ussery. Both publicly apologized. Jason filed for divorce in 2013, and he and Brittany later began appearing publicly as a couple.

They announced their engagement in September 2014 and married in Mexico on March 21, 2015. "Duck Dynasty" star Willie Robertson officiated the ceremony.

Their son, Memphis, was born in December 2017, followed by daughter Navy in February 2019. Brittany is also stepmother to Jason's daughters Keeley and Kendyl from his first marriage.

Public Controversies

Kerr has been outspoken about her conservative political views and support for Donald Trump. She and Jason attended events surrounding his second presidential inauguration in January 2025.

In August 2022, an Instagram caption about her childhood tomboy phase prompted criticism from singers Cassadee Pope and Maren Morris, who viewed the remarks as harmful to transgender people. Kerr defended her position as a statement about protecting children. The exchange developed into a widely covered dispute involving several country music personalities.

Real Estate

Brittany and Jason have owned homes in Tennessee, Florida, and the Caribbean.

In 2019, they sold a large Tennessee estate for $7 million. The following year, they moved into a custom-built Nashville-area mansion featuring a resort-style swimming pool and an expansive two-story closet. They moved again in 2023.

The couple paid $1.8 million for a beach house on Florida's St. George Island in 2015 and sold it for $2.375 million in 2020. They also purchased a Santa Rosa Beach property for $4.1 million in 2019.

In February 2022, the couple paid $10.2 million for a waterfront home on Florida's Hutchinson Island. They added an adjacent parcel for $2.68 million in August 2023.

In early 2025, Brittany revealed that they had purchased a home in the Bahamas after selling their property in Turks and Caicos.

Read more: Brittany Kerr Net Worth

Shanell Woodgett is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and choreographer who has a net worth of $2 million.

Shanell Woodgett, known professionally as Shanell or SnL, became widely known through her association with Lil Wayne and Young Money Entertainment. Before stepping forward as a recording artist, she worked as a professional dancer and developed a songwriting career that included contributions to projects by Kelis, Danity Kane, and Melanie Fiona. Her breakthrough came through her work on Wayne's rock-influenced album "Rebirth," including the single "Prom Queen."

As one of Young Money's R&B performers, Shanell contributed to the label's compilation albums, toured with Wayne, and released a series of solo projects that mixed R&B, hip-hop, pop, and electronic music. Her catalog includes "Shut Up and Listen," "Nobody's Bitch," "Midnight Mimosas," and "88 Keyz," a collaboration with producer Zaytoven. Her career has also encompassed choreography, creative direction, and production music. In 2022, she shared songwriting and production credit on "Be Mine," which won Pop Track of the Year at the Production Music Association's Mark Awards.

Early Life

Shanell Lynn Woodgett was born on November 15, 1980, in Anaheim, California. She spent part of her upbringing in Massachusetts and later established her career in Atlanta.

Her sister, Wanita Woodgett, is the singer and actress professionally known as D. Woods, who became famous as a member of Danity Kane.

Shanell trained in ballet, jazz, and modern dance. That training provided her first professional opportunities in entertainment and remained an important part of her approach to live performance as she moved into singing and songwriting.

Dancing and Songwriting

Shanell began working as a dancer in music videos and live performances, including projects with Ciara. She also became a principal dancer for Ne-Yo, who subsequently signed her to his publishing company.

While traveling and rehearsing, she developed songs and recorded demos. Her early collaborators included producer Bangladesh, whose work helped her establish connections in Atlanta's recording industry.

Shanell's songwriting credits include contributions to Kelis' "Kelis Was Here," Danity Kane's "Welcome to the Dollhouse," and Melanie Fiona's "The MF Life." She later received a composer credit on Chris Brown's "Royalty." These assignments established a career behind the scenes alongside her work as a performer.

Her relationship with Lil Wayne developed while they were on tour. In a 2010 interview, Shanell recalled recording music in her hotel room when Wayne encouraged her to keep some of her songs for herself. She initially remained focused on dancing, but their continued collaboration helped persuade her to pursue a recording career.

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Young Money and Lil Wayne

Shanell joined Young Money during the label's expansion in the late 2000s. Her combination of singing, songwriting, and dance experience gave her a distinct role within a roster best known for its rappers.

One of her most prominent contributions was co-writing "Prom Queen," the lead single from Lil Wayne's "Rebirth." Released in 2009, the song reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. She also contributed to other songs on the album, including "American Star" and "Runnin," helping Wayne explore a sound built around rock guitars and sung vocals.

Shanell performed with Wayne on his "I Am Music" tours and appeared on the 2009 compilation "We Are Young Money." She returned for the label's 2014 compilation, "Young Money: Rise of an Empire," with tracks including "Hittin Like," alongside Chanel West Coast, and "Catch Me at the Light," featuring Yo Gotti.

Solo Music

Shanell developed her solo catalog primarily through mixtapes, EPs, and individual singles. Her early releases included "A Taste of Shanell aka SnL" and the 2010 mixtape "Shut Up and Listen." The latter combined original material with reinterpretations of existing songs, including a version of Groove Theory's "Tell Me."

Her single "So Good" brought together Lil Wayne and Drake. Other releases included "My Button" and "Last Time," featuring Busta Rhymes.

In 2012, she released "Nobody's Bitch," a project centered on independence and female self-confidence. The following year's "Midnight Mimosas" explored a softer, more romantic side of her music. She followed it with "Nobody's Bitch 2" in 2014.

In January 2016, Shanell teamed with Zaytoven for "88 Keyz." Hosted by Lil Wayne, the 11-track project featured Bankroll Fresh and T-Pain, who appeared on a remix of "I Can Be Your Stripper."

Later Work and Project Girls Club

Shanell continued working beyond her solo releases, including as a vocalist and songwriter for production music company Level 77 Music. In 2022, "Be Mine," performed by Loren Schaffer, won Pop Track of the Year at the Mark Awards. Shanell shared writing and production credit with Anthony Arasi, Patrick Avard, and Caleb Tillman. The song appeared on the company's "G.I.R.L. (Girls in Real Life)" project.

She also developed Project Girls Club, an initiative connecting women through mentorship, professional advice, and creative collaboration. Participants have included her sister D. Woods, rapper Princess, and artist Mika Means, alongside women working outside music. The initiative extends the themes of confidence and independence associated with her "Nobody's Bitch" releases.

Read more: Shanell Woodgett Net Worth

Shelly Sterling is an American real estate investor and former professional basketball team co-owner who has a net worth of $1 billion.

Shelly Sterling is best known for negotiating the $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in 2014. The transaction followed the NBA's lifetime ban of her husband, Donald Sterling, after recordings of his racist remarks became public. Acting on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust, Shelly secured the buyer, defended her authority to complete the transaction in court, and helped bring an end to the family's 33 years of ownership.

Long before that highly publicized sale, Shelly and Donald built an extensive Southern California real estate business. Their holdings grew to include apartment buildings, luxury residences, commercial property, and a hotel. Shelly held an ownership interest in the business and participated in managing its properties, making her both a spouse and a business partner. Her public history also includes housing discrimination litigation, a successful lawsuit to recover millions of dollars in gifts Donald gave to V. Stiviano, and a divorce proceeding that the couple ultimately abandoned.

Early Life

Shelly Sterling was born Rochelle Stein on September 2, 1934, in Wilmington, California. She attended Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, where she was a cheerleader and met Donald Tokowitz, the future Donald Sterling.

The couple married in 1955 and later changed their surname to Sterling. Donald pursued a legal career, becoming a divorce and personal injury attorney before expanding into real estate.

Real Estate Business

The Sterlings began accumulating Los Angeles property in the 1960s, building a portfolio centered on apartment buildings. Shelly became a co-owner of the Donald T. Sterling Corp. and maintained an interest in the family's extensive real estate holdings.

Their rental operations used the name Beverly Hills Properties. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice described their business as owning and managing 119 apartment buildings containing more than 5,000 apartments in Los Angeles County.

The litigation over the Clippers later provided a detailed look at the family's finances. According to a California appellate court opinion, the Sterling Family Trust held real property worth $2.5 billion, subject to $480 million in debt, during the dispute. Those assets included 150 apartment buildings, 15 residential properties, land, and a hotel. The apartment buildings housed 20,000 tenants.

The family's holdings have included properties in Koreatown, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles' Westside, along with the Beverly Hills Plaza Hotel. Real estate remained a major part of the family's business after the Clippers sale.

Clippers Ownership and $2 Billion Sale

The Sterlings acquired the San Diego Clippers for $12.5 million in 1981. The franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1984. Shelly became a familiar courtside presence during the family's ownership and remained closely associated with the team through its long period of disappointing results and eventual return to playoff contention.

In April 2014, recordings became public in which Donald made racist remarks during conversations with V. Stiviano. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned him from the league for life, imposed a $2.5 million fine, and began the process of removing the Sterlings as owners.

Shelly negotiated a sale on behalf of the family trust. On May 29, 2014, she signed an agreement for Ballmer to purchase the Clippers for $2 billion, a record price for an NBA franchise. The court record later established that his offer exceeded the next-highest bid by $400 million.

Donald initially supported selling the team but subsequently opposed the transaction. Shelly removed him as a trustee under provisions allowing that step after two physicians determined that he lacked the capacity to manage his affairs. Donald challenged her authority and attempted to prevent the sale.

A Los Angeles probate judge upheld Shelly's actions and authorized the transaction. The sale closed on August 12, 2014, and an appellate court subsequently affirmed the probate court's order.

As part of the agreement, Shelly received the honorary titles "Owner Emeritus" and "Clippers Number One Fan." She also retained game tickets and other benefits, allowing her to continue attending Clippers games after the family's ownership ended.

Housing Discrimination Litigation

Shelly, Donald, and the Sterling Family Trust were defendants in a federal housing discrimination lawsuit filed in 2006. The Justice Department alleged discriminatory rental practices involving race, national origin, and families with children at their Los Angeles properties, including discrimination against non-Korean tenants and prospective tenants in Koreatown.

In 2009, the defendants agreed to a $2.725 million settlement. The agreement included a $100,000 civil penalty and $2.625 million for a fund to compensate people harmed by the alleged practices. It also required fair housing training and monitoring of rental practices.

The Justice Department described the payment as the largest it had obtained at that time in a settlement involving alleged discrimination in apartment rentals.

V. Stiviano Lawsuit

In a separate case, Shelly sued V. Stiviano to recover property and money Donald had given her. Shelly argued that the transfers involved marital community assets and had been made without her consent.

In 2015, a Los Angeles judge ruled in Shelly's favor, ordering the return of $2.6 million in assets. The court rejected Stiviano's argument that the Sterlings had been living separately during the relevant period. The decision allowed Shelly to recover assets Donald had transferred while they remained married.

Getty Images

Personal Life

Shelly and Donald had three children: Chris, Joanna, and Scott. Scott died in 2013 at age 32. Shelly later described his death as a source of strain in the marriage.

Donald filed for divorce in August 2015, citing irreconcilable differences. In March 2016, the couple decided not to proceed, and his attorney announced that they had resolved their differences.

Their marriage and the Clippers controversy became central subjects of the ESPN podcast "The Sterling Affairs" and the 2024 FX limited series "Clipped." Jacki Weaver portrayed Shelly in the series.

Homes

In 2015, Shelly and Donald purchased a Beverly Hills estate for $18.382 million. The Tudor-style property sits on more than 1.5 acres and includes a 7,000-square-foot main house, four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a swimming pool, and a guesthouse exceeding 1,000 square feet.

The property is on Sunset Boulevard, next to the estate of billionaire couple Stewart and Lynda Resnick. Public records listed both Sterlings as owners, although the broker representing the purchase said Donald was his client and planned renovations.

Later in 2015, the couple bought another Beverly Hills house for $3.1 million and offered it for lease at $11,500 per month.

Read more: Shelly Sterling Net Worth

Cassi Davis is an American actress and singer who has a net worth of $6 million.

Cassi Davis is best known for playing Ella Payne on "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" and Aunt Bam in the "Madea" films and stage productions. A longtime member of Tyler Perry's ensemble, she has become one of the most recognizable performers in his television and movie franchises. Her portrayal of Ella, the patient but strong-willed matriarch of the Payne family, earned her NAACP Image Awards in 2010 and 2013. As Aunt Bam, Madea's outspoken cousin, Davis developed a broader comic persona built around mischievous observations, flirtation, and playful exchanges with Perry.

Davis began her screen career in "School Daze" and appeared on several sitcoms before finding her signature roles. Her background in gospel singing and theater helped prepare her for Perry's touring productions, where musical performances and comedy often shared the stage. She subsequently carried her characters across television, theatrical releases, filmed plays, and streaming movies. Her later credits include the sitcom spinoff "The Paynes," the BET revival of "House of Payne," and the Netflix films "A Madea Homecoming" and "Madea's Destination Wedding."

Early Life and Education

Cassandra Davis was born on July 31, 1964, in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She grew up with three siblings in a religious household and began singing in her church choir at age five. Her early ambition was to become a gospel singer.

After graduating from Holly Springs High School in 1984, Davis enrolled at Spelman College in Atlanta, where she studied music with a concentration in vocal performance. She left in 1988, one credit short of completing her degree, after a disagreement over performing religious music at her senior recital.

Davis eventually returned to Spelman and completed her remaining requirements in 2008. She participated in the college's commencement ceremony in May 2009, more than two decades after first enrolling. Davis described finishing her degree as a way to honor her parents' sacrifices and encourage young people in her hometown to pursue their education.

Early Career

Davis made her film debut as Paula in Spike Lee's 1988 musical comedy "School Daze." She subsequently pursued stage and television work, including guest appearances on "Living Single," "Married… with Children," and "Kenan & Kel." She also voiced the HUD woman on "The PJs," the stop-motion animated sitcom co-created by Eddie Murphy.

Her path to steady acting work included setbacks and periods away from auditioning. Davis worked as a personal assistant to Steve Harvey, an experience she later credited with teaching her about the business side of entertainment. She also continued performing in stage productions, where her singing ability complemented her comedy.

Perry first noticed Davis in a play and spent two years encouraging her to join one of his touring productions. She eventually accepted a role in the stage version of "Madea Goes to Jail," beginning a collaboration that would define much of her career. She later appeared as Aunt Sarah in the 2006 film "Madea's Family Reunion" and as Rita in the 2007 film "Daddy's Little Girls."

"House of Payne" and Television Success

Davis achieved her television breakthrough as Ella Payne, the wife of Curtis Payne, played by LaVan Davis. After an initial syndicated run in 2006, "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" launched on TBS in 2007 and became a major cable sitcom. Its ensemble included Allen Payne, Lance Gross, Demetria McKinney, and China Anne McClain.

Ella served as a stabilizing presence in a crowded Atlanta household, balancing affection for her family with firm expectations about their behavior. The role gave Davis opportunities to combine broad comedy with more serious material involving addiction, marriage, parenting, and faith. Her chemistry with LaVan Davis became one of the show's central attractions.

Davis won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series in both 2010 and 2013 for "House of Payne." In 2013, the Mississippi Legislature also honored her career and achievements with a resolution.

The original TBS run ended in 2012, but Davis continued playing Ella in subsequent productions. She and LaVan Davis reunited for "The Paynes," which premiered on OWN in 2018 and followed the couple's retirement in Florida and involvement in a troubled laundromat business. In 2020, she returned for the revival of "House of Payne" on BET.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Aunt Bam and the "Madea" Franchise

While Ella Payne established Davis as a television matriarch, Aunt Bam became her signature movie and stage character. Davis has said Bam originated during the "Madea Goes to Jail" tour, when she tried an older woman's voice while joking with Perry. He encouraged her to develop the character, and their improvised exchanges became a recurring feature of their work together.

Davis played Aunt Bam in the stage production of "Madea's Big Happy Family" and its 2011 film adaptation. The character also received a starring vehicle in "Aunt Bam's Place." Her other stage credits included "A Madea Christmas," "Madea's Neighbors from Hell," and "Madea on the Run."

Davis expanded Bam's screen presence in "Boo! A Madea Halloween" in 2016, "Boo 2! A Madea Halloween" in 2017, and "A Madea Family Funeral" in 2019. She also voiced the character in the 2015 animated movie "Madea's Tough Love." Across these productions, Bam became a familiar companion to Madea, often contributing her own outrageous suggestions to an already chaotic situation.

Davis reprised the role in Netflix's "A Madea Homecoming" in 2022, appearing alongside Perry, David Mann, and Tamela Mann. She returned in "Madea's Destination Wedding" in 2025, which took the family to the Bahamas for a wedding. The films extended a character Davis had developed onstage into another era of Perry's franchise.

Personal Life

Davis married Kerry Patton in Las Vegas on January 11, 2017. The couple had known each other since childhood, first meeting in third grade before eventually going their separate ways. They reconnected in 2007 and married a decade later.

Although Davis and LaVan Davis play a married couple on television, they are not married or related in real life. Following her marriage to Patton, she has also been professionally credited as Cassi Davis Patton.

Christian faith has remained central to Davis' life and her public discussions of her career. In a 2021 interview, she disclosed that she had been diagnosed with Bell's palsy in March 2020 and spoke about her husband's support. She continued working in television and film following the diagnosis.

Read more: Cassi Davis Net Worth

If all that weren't impressive enough, a Dutch business magazine now ranks him among the 500 richest people in the Netherlands. And he didn't exactly squeak onto the list.

Quote just released its annual ranking of the country's 500 richest people, estimating Verstappen's fortune at €310 million, equivalent to $346 million. That puts him at No. 224, comfortably inside the top half. He's also the youngest person on the list.

Being totally honest, this announcement surprised us here at CelebrityNetWorth. Full disclosure: Before we were alerted to Quote's report, we pegged Max Verstappen's net worth at $200 million. We tend to be more conservative than many publications, but could we really be off by nearly $150 million? Has Max earned enough before his 30th birthday to build a fortune approaching $350 million after taxes, expenses, and the costs of owning those very expensive toys? Let's talk it out.

(Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

What Is Quote 500?

Quote is a Dutch business magazine owned by Hearst, the publishing company behind titles including Cosmopolitan and Esquire. Its annual rich list began in 1997 and has become a fixture of Dutch financial coverage. The magazine investigates business fortunes, profiles entrepreneurs, and follows the financial lives of the country's richest people. Sounds familiar.

Its researchers use company records and discuss their calculations with wealthy individuals and industry insiders. The resulting list puts heirs, company founders, investors, and the occasional exceptionally successful athlete into the same ranking. Verstappen earns his place in that company through a career that has made him one of the highest-paid sports figures in the world.

When he first appeared in the Quote 500 in 2022, he occupied the final position: No. 500, with an estimated fortune of €120 million. Four years later, Quote's estimate has risen by €190 million.

Career Earnings

Between 2021 and 2025, Max has earned around $323 million in Formula One salary and bonuses.

The biggest paydays arrived after his first championship. He earned $60 million in 2022, $70 million in 2023, $75 million in 2024, and $76 million in 2025. His 2023 compensation included $25 million in performance bonuses, a fitting reward for a season in which he won 19 of 22 Grands Prix.

The following year, his base salary alone reached $60 million. In 2025, he earned $65 million, with another $11 million in bonuses. He finished that season as Formula One's highest-paid driver even though he was no longer its reigning champion.

That championship went to Lando Norris, who survived a dramatic late challenge from Verstappen and a season-long fight with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. Verstappen won eight races, including the Abu Dhabi finale, but lost the title by two points. His bank account still benefited from another exceptionally lucrative season.

His commercial earnings add another layer. EA Sports signed him to a personal partnership in 2023, and Heineken made him a global ambassador for its alcohol-free 0.0 brand. He earned around $6 million in off-track earnings for the twelve months ending in May 2025. Those deals are valuable, but Red Bull's compensation remains the main engine of his fortune.

Monaco Helps, But The Tax Bill Is Not Zero

There is an obvious question whenever an athlete has collected hundreds of millions of dollars in gross pay: How much disappeared in taxes? Verstappen has an advantage over many other sports stars because he has lived in Monaco since 2015, the year he entered Formula One.

Monaco generally does not levy personal income tax on residents, with a special exception affecting most French nationals. That has helped make the principality a popular home for drivers including Lewis Hamilton. For an athlete earning tens of millions of dollars annually, avoiding a residence-based tax on worldwide income can make an enormous difference over a career.

However, Verstappen still faces taxes on income earned in other countries. His manager, Raymond Vermeulen, said in 2023 that Verstappen pays tax on his Dutch Grand Prix earnings and in other countries where he competes. Host countries can tax compensation associated with races and related commercial activities taking place within their borders.

A Private Jet Upgrade And A Yacht Called "Unleash The Lion"

Verstappen has certainly found ways to enjoy the money. In 2020, he bought a Dassault Falcon 900EX previously owned by Richard Branson. He upgraded in 2025 to a Falcon 8X, which reportedly cost around $58 million.

The newer jet can fly nearly 12,000 kilometers without stopping for fuel, a useful feature for someone whose work takes him across continents. That same year, Verstappen also took delivery of a 33-meter Mangusta GranSport yacht named "Unleash the Lion." Published estimates have placed its value between $12 million and $15 million.

Those purchases tie up substantial sums, but a jet or yacht still has resale value. The lasting financial drain comes from depreciation and the cost of operating, maintaining, staffing, and insuring them. Even with Monaco's tax advantages, a fortune supporting that lifestyle has expenses that a salary headline does not show.

Our Estimate Is $300 Million

Celebrity Net Worth now estimates Verstappen's fortune at $300 million. But, frankly, even $300 million deserves a closer look at the math. His earnings are extraordinary. The question is how much of that money has become lasting personal wealth.

The $323 million in racing compensation cited above covers only 2021 through 2025. It excludes his first six Formula One seasons, his 2026 earnings, and endorsements. For illustration, let's assume those additional earnings bring his career total to $450 million.

To turn $450 million in gross earnings into a $350 million net worth fortune, Verstappen would need to retain nearly 78% of everything he earned, before accounting for investment gains or losses. That would leave $100 million for taxes, management fees, personal spending, and other costs over his career. By comparison, a $300 million fortune would mean retaining two-thirds of those earnings, leaving $150 million for those deductions. Neither outcome is impossible, particularly for someone living in Monaco, but it does strike me as… frothy and generous.

Who is the Richest Person in the Netherlands?

Glad you asked! Once again, CelebrityNetWorth differs slightly from Quote 500.

According to CelebrityNetWorth's tracking, with a net worth of $20 billion, the richest person in the Netherlands is Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken. Take a wild guess how Charlene Heineken earned her $20 billion fortune 🙂

Charlene is the great-granddaughter of Heineken founder Gerard Adriaan Heineken and the daughter of longtime company leader Alfred "Freddy" Heineken.

Bloomberg's billionaire tracking agrees with our ranking of Charlene at #1.

Quote 500 puts Charlene at #2 with a net worth of $14.5 billion. Quote 500's #1 richest person in the Netherlands is a crypto person named Jean-Louis van der Velde. Quote 500 pegs van der Valde's net worth at $29 billion. Bloomberg pegs his net worth at $16.3 billion. Forbes pegs him at $38 billion! Shockingly, he's not on CelebrityNetWorth, something that will be fixed tomorrow ASAP. (UPDATE: We added Jean-Louis with a net worth of $18 billion. Which still makes Charlene #1 on our list.)

Read more: A Dutch Business Magazine Ranked Max Verstappen As One Of The Country's 500 Richest People With A Surprisingly Large Net Worth