Post Malone is a multi-platinum rapper known for his hits and flashy lifestyle. He is now at the center of a fiery legal battle. A limousine driver appeared in his 2020 music video Tommy Lee. He claims he never received payment for his role. Now, he’s taking Malone to court for millions.
Larry Deuel was hired as a limo driver for the video shoot. He filed a lawsuit on Friday, October 17, in Utah’s Fourth District Court. The suit names Malone, collaborator Tyla Yaweh, Sony Music Entertainment, and several others.
Deuel claims he is owed at least $2.5 million in principal damages, $7.5 million in punitive damages, and attorney fees of $25,000 or more. He has requested a trial by jury to settle the dispute.
Neither Post Malone nor Sony Music has commented publicly on the lawsuit.
From High School Teacher to Music Video Star
At the time of the shoot, Deuel was a high school teacher who also drove limousines to make extra money. According to the lawsuit, he was hired to transport Malone and Yaweh to the rapper’s ranch for the video. Once there, Deuel says the two stars asked him to appear in the production.
Deuel claims he agreed because the artists assured him he would be “taken care of” for participating.
In the video, Deuel appears multiple times:
- Rolling out a red carpet in front of a luxury limo
- Opening the car door for Tyla Yaweh
- Standing beside the limo while Yaweh sings and dances
- Opening the door again as Yaweh returns to the vehicle
The lawsuit calls Deuel’s participation “crucial” to the video’s theme of wealth, fame, privilege, and power.
“Absent Mr. Deuel’s presence, the theme of wealth, power, fame, privilege, and success would have been visually underwhelming. It would be supported only by two unkempt musicians smoking blunts. They would be riding ATVs in a dirt field,” the legal documents state.
Claims Include Fraud and Misappropriation
Deuel is not holding back. He claims Malone and Yaweh never intended to pay him, despite their promises. The lawsuit includes allegations of:
- Breach of contract
- Fraudulent inducement
- Misappropriation of name or likeness
According to the documents, Deuel’s image was used without his consent for commercial gain. The video’s massive success only fuels his argument:
- Over 97 million YouTube views
- Over 1 million likes and 23,840 comments
- Millions of streams on Spotify, YouTube Music, and SoundCloud
“The official music video of Tommy Lee, including remixes, featuring Mr. Deuel’s artistic performance and his name, image, and likeness. His contribution has led to the overwhelming commercial success of the song,” the filing reads.
Attempts to Resolve Dispute Failed
Before filing the lawsuit, Deuel reportedly tried to settle the matter directly with Malone and the other defendants. According to the documents:
- He sent multiple letters demanding payment
- His legal counsel attempted to deliver a letter dated August 8, 2025
- Malone’s security allegedly laughed at the attempt and refused to accept service
Deuel claims these actions prove that the promises of payment were never genuine.
“Defendants Post Malone and Tyla Yaweh never intended to compensate Mr. Deuel while inducing him to perform in Tommy Lee with their false representation,” the documents state.
The Lawsuit Breaks Down the Value of His Role
Deuel’s legal team highlights how integral he was to the video’s narrative. His limo-driving role and presence on screen, they argue, contributed significantly to the portrayal of luxury and fame. Without him, the video would have lacked the visual impact that drew millions of views.
They argue his name and image carry intrinsic value and were exploited for commercial gain without his consent. In legal terms, this is considered misappropriation of likeness. It occurs when someone uses another person’s identity for profit without permission.
The lawsuit claims that his role contributed directly to the video’s massive revenue and streaming numbers.
Massive Reach, Massive Profits
Tommy Lee has proven to be a commercial juggernaut. Deuel’s lawsuit emphasizes the enormous audience and revenue generated from the video:
- Hundreds of millions of streams across platforms
- Viral attention on social media
- Global recognition for both Malone and Yaweh
According to the legal filing, this success underscores Deuel’s claim. He argues that he should have been compensated for the commercial value his image added.
“Mr. Deuel’s commercial rights contributed to Tommy Lee were not authorized. They were not transferred to any of the Defendants,” the documents state.
What This Means for Post Malone
This lawsuit could have serious financial consequences for the rapper. If Deuel’s claims hold up in court, Malone could have to pay tens of millions of dollars. This amount would be in addition to legal fees.
For now, Malone, 30, and Yaweh, 30, have yet to respond publicly. Sony Music has also stayed silent.
Fans and industry insiders are watching closely. Legal experts note that cases like this hinge on clear agreements and contracts—something Deuel claims never existed.
“Mr. Deuel has made numerous attempts to contact the Defendants. He wants to resolve this matter without the need for litigation,” the filing states.
This lawsuit raises questions about how artists handle payment for minor but visually important roles in music videos. As it unfolds, fans will be watching closely. The music industry is also eager to see if Deuel finally gets the payday he claims he deserves.
