*Nicci Gilbert’s copyright lawsuit claiming STARZ’s “P-Valley” copied her work has been denied by the U.S. Supreme Court, ending her five-year legal battle but not her mission for creative equality.
We reported earlier that the singer and creator of “Soul Kittens Cabaret” had accused the queer-themed series, which focuses on exotic dancers and a nonbinary boss, of borrowing from her 2010 play and 2011 musical film. The Oct. 6, 2025, ruling marks the end of a legal effort to hold Lionsgate and STARZ accountable.
Ice Cream Convos reports that Gilbert expressed mixed emotions following the decision, viewing it as a missed chance to address inequities in the industry. “While I am disappointed, I remain steadfast in my belief that this case was a historic opportunity to confront the systemic inequities that have long silenced underfunded and underrepresented creators,” she stated in a social media post.
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In contrast, “P-Valley” creator Katori Hall responded with a firm defense of her work, starting her statement with “DENIED.” She explained that the series stemmed from her 2009 stage play “P*ssy Valley,” predating the STARZ debut in 2020, and noted, “During my deposition, I found an early draft of the play in a 2009 email.” Hall submitted more than 16,000 pages of documentation, featuring initial scripts, to demonstrate the originality of her work.
Gilbert had previously voiced personal grievances, linking the show’s second-season premiere to the anniversary of her mother’s death. “I was very insulted about this episode airing on the anniversary of my Mom’s passing, but now I know why it did,” she said in 2022, recalling her mother’s advice: “They stole that from you baby.. don’t stress, because eventually the universe will make it all fall apart!”
Despite the loss, she plans to share her journey in “Nicci vs. Goliath: The Cost of Justice,” a book, documentary, and music project slated for 2026.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Nicci Gilbert Claims ‘P-Valley’ Ripped Off Her 2010 Play ‘Soul Kittens Cabaret’ | Video
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