Meanwhile, Vanessa Hudgens fends off $5 million lawsuit

By Matthew B. Zeidman

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 8/13/08 – Disney starlet Selena Gomez showed off a devilish side Tuesday, likely taking schadenfreudic delight via a teasing message on YouTube apparently meant to confuse paparazzi and media pundits intent on proving discontentment within the Disney ranks.

The cryptic message accompanied a video of Gomez, 16, and her “Wizards of Waverly Place” co-star, David Henrie, 19, in which they encouraged viewers to buy the new Jonas Brothers album, “A Little Bit Longer,” which became available for sale earlier that day.

Among the text that accompanied the footage was the fragment “TEAM JONAS!” which may have been a reference or even a thank you to one of the band members, Kevin Jonas, 20, who was spotted by throngs of fans and photographers Sunday in New York wearing a “Team Demi and Selena” T-shirt.

Though that message alone may have served as confirmation and even a blessing of the alleged feud between Gomez (and best friend Demi Lovato) and Disney megastar Miley Cyrus (and best friend Mandy Jiroux), Gomez made sure to throw a monkey wrench into the rumor mill by writing another message to fans a few lines later, asking them to buy Cyrus’ “Breakout” CD, which came out on July 22.

In a July 19 interview previously released by Popstar! Magazine, Cyrus insisted she had no ill will toward Gomez or Lovato, contradicting rampant tabloid speculation to the contrary. Gomez’s pro-Cyrus prompting of fans Tuesday seemed to support a mutual respect, and not a seething hatred, between two of Disney’s most popular personalities.

Meanwhile, Vanessa Hudgens, another member of the Disney idol crop, as well as her father and her record label, were accused in a Los Angeles court Monday of failing to pay money allegedly owed to a producer that previously worked with the “High School Musical” star.

Johnny Vieira claimed in court papers that Hudgens, 19, had refused to honor a settlement that voided a contract entered into with him when the actress/singer was a minor. The original contract purportedly carved out a large share of advances, royalties and merchandising for Vieira, but when it was disputed, the two parties allegedly agreed Vieira should instead receive a percentage of earnings from her first three Hollywood Records solo albums (she has released two so far).

Vieira is asking the court for $5 million in compensation. In a separate lawsuit, he has also accused Hudgens’ father, Greg, of defaming him, by referring to him as a “predator” in an e-mail.

Legal actions aside, Hudgens has a busy year coming up, with two features films scheduled for release in the next eight months: “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” the first big-screen offering of the TV movie franchise that launched her to stardom, and “Rock On,” a romantic comedy co-starring Lisa Kudrow and Alyson “Aly” Michalka.