Stacie Orrico Shares Childhood Abuse Lawsuit Against Former Manager, Seeking Justice for Past Trauma

Stacie Orrico in 2006 in Tokyo.
Credit :

Jun Sato/WireImage

NEED TO KNOW

• Stacie Orrico has filed suit against her former manager, alleging years of sexual abuse
• The “(There’s Gotta Be) More to Life” singer claims to have suffered “abuse, exploitation and profound harm”
• She is seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial

Stacie Orrico, known for her hits in the early 2000s, has taken legal action against her former manager, Britt Ham, asserting he sexually abused her during a prolonged, nonconsensual relationship. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on January 6, names Ham alongside Universal Music Group and ForeFront Records, bringing forth claims of negligence, sexual battery, childhood sexual abuse, and gender violence.

In her statement, Orrico highlighted the industry’s failure to safeguard her during her formative years. “The music industry failed to protect me when I was a little girl. It has taken me years to become strong enough — but I am ready to fight for every young and innocent person who has been, and continues to be, abused in the music industry and in the Church,” she said.

The lawsuit outlines a pattern of abuse by Ham over several years, alleging that the involved parties prioritized their reputational and financial interests over her safety. “Plaintiff Stacie Joy Orrico was an innocent and joyful child, full of dreams… That dream… was permanently threatened and profoundly altered by the trauma she endured,” the filing states. Orrico, now 39, has filed the lawsuit following years of therapy and personal struggles, seeking accountability for her suffering.

Stacie Orrico performing in Seoul, South Korea in 2006.

Han Myung-Gu/WireImage

Ham has not publicly responded to the allegations, and Universal Music Group has yet to issue a statement. Orrico attracted Ham’s attention at age 12 after winning a Christian music festival competition in 1998. She signed with ForeFront Records a year later, with assurances that her wholesome image was crucial to her branding.

Her debut album, Genuine, was released in 2000. According to the lawsuit, the first instance of alleged sexual assault by Ham occurred during a business trip to Los Angeles later that year when Orrico was just 14. The filing alleges that Ham kissed her and touched her, providing contradictory rationalizations for his actions.

Orrico reportedly felt “confused” and “ashamed” but maintained a connection with Ham. The complaint further details multiple instances of assault, including two reported incidents when she was 15. Others allegedly witnessed Ham’s behavior, prompting concerns raised to Orrico’s father regarding the nature of their relationship, and leading to the dismissal of a companion assigned to monitor her.

Stacie Orrico performing in Seoul, South Korea in 2006.

Stacie Orrico during Stacie Orrico Concert in Seoul

The lawsuit claims that defendants failed to adequately protect Orrico from further abuse, including an incident in 2003 when she was 17. Orrico officially ended her relationship with Ham in March 2004, shortly after turning 18. The lawsuit outlines that she suffered various mental health issues, contributing to the decline of her music career, which ended in 2007 when she departed from ForeFront and Virgin Records.

One of Orrico’s attorneys, Mo Hamoudi, emphasized the grave nature of her experiences: “Stacie’s case is a chilling account of a child whose love for God and whose extraordinary talent drew the attention of an industry that saw profit, not protection.” He noted that the industry allowed her to be abused while prioritizing financial gain.

Orrico’s last album was released in 2006. Now a married mother of two, she reflects on her past and credits her husband for empowering her. Despite her efforts to move forward, she continues to grapple with the emotional scars left by her experiences.

She seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial as part of her legal action, hoping to bring accountability to those she believes failed her in her youth.

Her breakout song, “(There’s Gotta Be) More to Life,” reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and she achieved further recognition with her song “Stuck,” which was featured on the Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Suburbs soundtrack. Orrico was nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album at the 2004 Grammy Awards.