Kiera Grace Madder, a 17-year-old singer and former member of K-pop girl group VCHA, has filed a lawsuit against JYP USA, alleging severe mistreatment and exploitation during her time with the group.
Madder, who goes by the stage name KG Crown, joined VCHA in 2022 after auditioning for a reality show organized by the prominent South Korean talent agency JYP Entertainment, which sought to form a group with North American talent.
However, less than a year after their official debut, VCHA withdrew from the prominent music festival Lollapalooza, and the group faded from public view.
The legal action, which was filed last December in Los Angeles County Superior Court, sparked discussions about issues surrounding the rigorous training and control experienced by K-pop idols.
Madder’s lawsuit claims that at just 15 years old, she was subjected to an environment that was more akin to imprisonment than a supportive creative space.
She described living in a $2.5 million Beverly Hills mansion alongside her fellow group members, where they were reportedly under constant surveillance, both from staff and video cameras installed throughout the home.
Madder alleges that the cameras were represented as part of the home’s security system, but in reality, they served to monitor the girls’ behavior and activities closely.
According to her lawsuit, the trainees were pressured to live in the mansion, although they were told it was optional.
Madder stated she felt compelled to stay there, having been pressured by the staff, which made her feel as though JYP had taken on a parental role—though in a highly controlling and strict manner.
The lawsuit details claims of restricted diets, with the girls allegedly pressured to eat minimal meals while their weight was strictly monitored.
Madder explained, “The skinnier you are, the more respected and prettier you’re viewed. It’s ridiculous. At times, in South Korea, they would tell us, ‘Lose weight or you’re going to regret the way you look on camera.’”
As part of their intense training regimen, the girls reportedly faced grueling rehearsal schedules that left little room for rest or personal time.
Madder recalled her days beginning as early as 7 a.m. with schoolwork, followed by rehearsals that stretched from late morning into the night.
She described being denied meal breaks and hydration and recounted experiences where she was required to continue training despite injuries.
One incident highlighted in the lawsuit includes a dance instructor, who allegedly made Madder repeat a particular dance move over a hundred times, resulting in a shoulder tendon tear.
Reflecting on her experiences, she said, “I had tears in my eyes and was very stressed. It’s one of those situations where you don’t have to escalate it to the point of abuse.”
Madder also mentioned other serious implications of the training environment, noting that several group members developed eating disorders or engaged in self-harming behavior, with one attempting suicide last February.
In her pursuit of justice, Madder accuses JYP of serious financial misconduct, claiming that she was underpaid and that promised royalties and revenue shares were never delivered.
Despite working extensive hours, she alleges receiving only $500 during weeks that often exceed 12-hour days, which is below California’s minimum wage.
Compounding her distress, Madder stated that she is burdened with over $500,000 in debt to JYP for various “company expenses,” further trapping her in a situation she feels was predatory.
In an alarming revelation, she claims to have been rushed into signing contracts that she didn’t fully understand, stating they were written in Korean, which she does not speak.
Her mother, Tracey Madder, clarified that the decision to file the lawsuit was solely KG’s, which she completely supports given the circumstances KG faced.
Tracey expressed hope for a favorable outcome for all involved parties.
In the aftermath of her departure from VCHA last May, KG Crown reported feeling “brainwashed” and discouraged about her future in the music industry.
She stated, “I would never be able to make it in the music industry again.”
Since her exit from the group, Madder has been unable to work, release new music, or maintain an active presence on social media.
Reflecting on her experiences, she expressed a longing for freedom, saying, “I’m praying that the judge can see the light in the situation and let me go. I don’t want clout. I don’t want attention. I want to be free.”
The next hearing in Madder’s lawsuit is scheduled for June 20.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-03/kg-crown-kpop-vcha-jyp-entertainment-lawsuit
