A former nanny of Mariah Carey is suing her for allegedly being forced to work unreasonable hours for little pay.
Simonette DaCosta insists that, while she was working for Mariah, 44, and her 34-year-old estranged husband Nick Cannon, she was made to work up to 100-hours a week without overtime pay.
TMZ reports that in court papers filed this week, it is claimed DaCosta worked for Mariah and Nick in October 2013.
But, according to the alleged documents, DaCosta wasn’t only working as a nanny to their twins Moroccan and Monroe – she also acted as personal assistant to superstar Mariah.
The suit says: “As such, she attended to their needs not only at home, but also during Ms. Carey’s travels for her global concerts and appearances.”
DaCosta claims that Mariah fired her in January 2014 for ‘expressing too much affection for their children’.
Her lawyer said: “She was caring for the children too well. [Carey] was worried they were getting confused who the mommy was.
“My understanding is that Ms Carey didn’t want the children developing any lasting relationship with [DaCosta and other nannys].”
It’s alleged that DaCosta is seeking $100,000 in damages and unpaid overtime.
Speaking during a US radio interview last year, Mariah confirmed she does fire nannies if she feels they’re getting too close to her children.
She said: “Unfortunately I have to have nannies but I’m very hands-on. I fire nannies like this.” Mariah then snapped her fingers.
“And I hate doing it, but I have to if they try to make themselves more important in the baby’s mind than me.”