Collette McLafferty of New York City is a professional singer who is now gaining attention because of a pending courtroom battle, rather than her talent. Ms.McLafferty, 40, is the target of a $10 million lawsuit filed by Long Island lawyer Charles Bonfante. The New York Post asserts that Mr. Bonfante is claiming that, “[McLafferty’s] lack of sex appeal and talent ruined his big plan to start Long Island’s first Pink cover act.”

The Post reports that Mr. Bonfante, who claims he toured as a drummer with singer-songwriter Michael Bolton and former hard rock bank Saraya, had an idea to start a Pink cover band. He was working on the project with his “collaborator,” Rik Nevone. It is unclear how, but Ms. McLafferty came to the attention of both men. While Mr. Bonfante told Mr. Nevone he didn’t want the singer to be part of the band, Nevone went ahead anyway and set up a gig on Long Island that included Ms. McLafferty. It was after that gig that Mr. Bonfante took legal action. The Long Island lawyer wrote in his suit that, “McLafferty was a mediocre vocalist at best…She had pitch problems, oftentimes singing flat for extended periods of time…She didn’t look the part, or at least contribute to the overall aesthetics of the band.”

Ms. McLafferty is bewildered by the lawsuit. Aside from claiming that she had never even heard of Mr. Bonfante before the suit, she was only paid $75 for the gig. She told the New York Post she has filed a countersuit, “to have Bonfante’s claim quashed and recoup damages.” She’s worried about the money she’ll have to spend, telling the paper, “I get to fight this for the next two years, according to my lawyer. I’m going to be broke…” Aside from the money, Ms. McLafferty says, “The really insulting part is he said I would harm the public because I can’t sing and I’m too unattractive to front this kind of a band. I don’t think it’s his place to tell anyone that they’re not good looking enough to follow their dreams.”

More info: New York Post