Jeff Bezos' fiancee Lauren Sanchez accused of copying ideas for her children's book from yoga instructor
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jeff Bezos’ fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, is embroiled in a legal tussle with her former yoga instructor Alanna Zabel.
Zabel has accused Sanchez of plagiarizing the concept of her children’s book 'Dharma Kitty Goes to Mars' for Sanchez’s own book 'The Fly Who Flew To Space.'
Alanna Zabel claims Lauren Sanchez stole ideas afer they considered working together
Zabel has sent two cease and desist letters to Sanchez. She alleged that she had shared details of her self-published book with Sanchez in 2022 with the hopes of collaborating with the Bezos Earth Fund and Bezos Academy.
After the book came out, Zabel said she was shocked to see the striking similarities in Sanchez’s book announced in January 2023.
“I’m deeply offended, and I am taking legal action with the book,” Zabel stated to Daily Mail, giving them until the end of the month to respond before filing an official complaint.
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Who is Alanna Zabel and who has she worked with before?
Zabel worked as a private yoga instructor for Lauren between 2007 and 2010. She also shared her creative aspirations with Sanchez as she grew close to her and he rinner circles.
“Throughout the years I not only gave Lauren copies of my self-published children’s books, but also spoke about my children’s books during our yoga sessions,” Zabel told the publication, recalling the time she spent with Sanchez.
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She claimed they had even discussed the idea of Zabel helping Sanchez write a children’s book with Sanchez’s brother Michael involved in the conversations.
Alanna Zabel, who has worked with celebrities like Adam Levine and Deepak Chopra, once claimed that Levine sent her an inappropriate text while she was his yoga instructor.
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"We discussed an idea of me helping her write a children's book, with her brother Michael involved in the conversations, as he was her manager at that time," she said, according to the publication.
Alanna Zabel says Lauren Sanchez is a toxic person who gossiped too much and never responded to her emails
Zabel claimed she terminated her services with Lauren shortly in 2009 but still remained in touch with her. "I ended up quitting working for her shortly after her 40th birthday party because I just couldn't handle her personality anymore," she said.
Zabel claimed that living with Lauran became hard for her spiritual life as "she's just a really toxic person."
She said Lauren relentlessly "gossiped" and discussed "inappropriate" details about her friends' private lives.
After her relationship Jeff Bezos, Zabel emailed her in hopes of collaborating on her yoga dolls and children’s book.
She even pitched the idea, noting that Lauren’s relationship with Jeff and his interest in space travel and global conservation would inspire him to promote her work.
"I hoped to inspire Jeff to promote my books, including my then to be upcoming children's book about a cat who flies to space," she said.
Although Lauren never responded even on Instagram, Jeff’s office acknowledged her email in 2022 and also "offered links to pursue business development with Amazon."
Two months later, Lauren announced her own children’s book 'The Fly Who Flew To Space', leaving Alanna feeling that her concept had been compromised.
Alanna Zabel says she is ready to accept an apology from Lauren Sanchez
The publication asked Zabel if she would take the legal action back if Lauren apoligized, to which she replied "I would take that apology, and I would champion it, and I would cheer it on."
Zabel wants Lauren to be honest and "integral in this matter." Alanna Zabel sent her first cease and desist letter to Lauren Sanchez and her lawyer on March 25, followed by a second one to Lauren and The Collective Book Studio on April 4.
Now, Zabel's lawyer is preparing the complant file. Lauren's book is currently slated for release on September 17. Lauren revealed the illustration for her book on March 5, prompting a wave of support from her A-list friends.