Selena Gomez is facing a new legal battle in California after two investment firms filed lawsuits accusing the pop star and her mental health startup, Wondermind, of deceiving investors who put more than $1 million into the struggling company.

The claims centre on Wondermind, a mental health brand launched in 2021 by Gomez, her mother Mandy Teefey and entrepreneur Daniella Pierson. The project was marketed as a mission-driven platform designed to destigmatise conversations around mental health, with Gomez's high-profile advocacy helping attract attention from investors and fans.

The new lawsuits suggest that behind Wondermind's public image, the business was allegedly in significantly worse shape than investors were led to believe. The complaints accuse Gomez, Teefey, Pierson and Wondermind Global of misrepresenting the company's infrastructure, leadership and resources to secure funding.

The lawsuits also do not yet provide a complete public breakdown of exactly how the more than $1 million was spent or which specific statements made by Gomez, Teefey or Pierson are alleged to have been false. Those details could become important as the legal proceedings move forward.

For Gomez, the allegations come at an awkward time because Wondermind was closely tied to her public image.