Reality TV star from Jackson must pay former employee $150,000 for using photos without her permission

JACKSON, Mississippi (WLBT) – A Hinds County jury has ordered a Jackson reality TV star to pay money to a former employee for using photos to promote her business without the woman’s permission.

According to former employee Ada Green, her images were used on billboards, vending machines, online and in flyers to promote Goddess Lengths, a hair extension company owned by Belle Collective star Latrice Rogers.

Green told WLBT 3 On Your Side exclusively that she never received any compensation for the images that eventually made her the face of the company.

“I was everywhere, wherever you saw it or picked up a flyer or a business card for Goddess Lengths, my face was there,” Green said.

A Hinds County jury of eleven women and one man awarded her $150,000.

Green claims she started working for Rogers, selling hair extensions in the store.

She says the photo shoots began soon after.

“I just came into work and was told, ‘Hey, we’re going to take some photos,'” Green said.

Green tells us that Rogers never gave her a clear answer when she asked about payment.

“I was supposed to get bonuses for this and that. At some point, word came out that we were going to open another location somewhere else that I would manage. But that never happened. That never happened. So yes, I asked for it in many ways and it was just dismissed,” Green said.

WLBT 3 On Your Side spoke with Green’s lawyers to better understand what they argued in court.

“The problem in this case arose when the purpose was changed and the law states that she must obtain Ada’s consent if these images are used for commercial purposes,” explains attorney Tiffany Horton-Williams.

She tells us it was not Green’s job to ensure that proper consent was given.

“It is Miss Latrice Rogers’ job as management of Goddess Lengths to ensure that employees are cleared and given the appropriate consents. She had a clearance for Belle Collective. She gave Belle Collective permission to use her image and likeness, so why didn’t she do the same for Ada Green?”

WLBT 3 On Your Side has reached out to Latrice Roger’s attorneys for comment.

We were told that the hearing would take place on Wednesday and that we would receive an answer to our story on Thursday.

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