Ariana Grande Tests When Lookalikes Can Look Too Much Alike

Ariana Grande’s claim that Forever 21’s use of lookalike models violates her right to control her image might seem unusual—but Vanna White once argued the same about a gold robot, and won.

Grande has filed a $10 million right-of-publicity lawsuit accusing the fast-fashion retailer of using models that resemble her to hawk clothing. The case highlights the question of just how closely a model or voice actor has to resemble a celebrity to violate state right-of-publicity laws or false endorsement provisions of federal trademark law.

How courts rule on the issue influences what aspects of a persona—such as voice, appearance ...