The Kid Laroi’s mum charged with fraud, as he is sued by manager

The Kid Laroi has more than the flu to fight after cancelling shows at the last minute, with professional and family stoushes in the mix.

His mega hit, with two billion streams, is titled Stay.

But pop superstar The Kid Laroi did the opposite, 35 minutes after he was scheduled to perform a concert at Rod Laver Arena on Friday.

Instead, he left the room, citing “illness” as his reason for scrapping the show, as the capacity-filled stadium waited in vain for the headline act to appear.

A day later, the doctor’s diagnosis came down. The Kid Laroi had influenza, and was ordered to postpone two Melbourne shows.

The ailing star posted from his sick bed on Sunday to hose down Covid rumours.

“Not Covid, and I’m getting better,” he said on Instagram. “I love you all.”

His post included screengrabs of a message that read: “Laroi’s swab is positive for both rhinovirus and influenza.”

His June 3 show was rescheduled for June 10, and the June 4 show was moved to June 12.

On Sunday afternoon, he also announced his upcoming Brisbane concert would be pushed back.

“Brisbane, the doctor has told me I can’t perform tomorrow night and I need one more day to get healthy,” The Kid Laroi said on Instagram on Sunday.

The Kid Laroi has copped fierce backlash after show cancellations. Picture: Getty Images

“It sucks that I have to do this, and I hate disappointing you all, but I know I have to do it in order for me to give you the show that you want to see.

“I promise I will give 10000 per cent when I get back on that stage and I will make it as special as I can for you. I’m sorry, and I’ll see you again.”

His June 6 show in Brisbane has been moved to June 8.

“I love you all more than life itself, and it kills me that I have to postpone,” the singer said in a social media post on Saturday.

“This is my first time touring and I’m discovering lots of new things about my body that I didn’t know before. I’m doing everything … to take care of myself.”

The announcement on Friday was met with jeering, boos, and some fans being pelted with beers after frustrated concertgoers threw their drinks across the venue.

Their fury was soon inflamed after social media posts revealed The Kid Laroi made a surprise appearance at CBD club, 170 Russell, on Thursday.

A source privy to The Kid Laroi’s movements on Thursday said the singer rocked up to the Russell St venue’s popular club night, Lucky, to “party” and agreed to perform a few songs.

Of course, everyone hopes the young hit maker makes a speedy recovery.

But the nightclubbing pictures from Thursday, and a timeline up to the moment he pulled the pin on Friday, has left a sour taste with some fans.

In a statement posted late on Friday, The Kid Laroi said he felt “really sick” that morning, and took two Covid tests, both returning negative readings.

At sound check, on Friday afternoon, his condition got “worse”. His team called doctors for an “IV drip” but before showtime, The Kid Laroi felt “super light headed” and his body “super heavy”.

He added: “It … got to the point where it was hard for me to stand up. I would be lying … if I told you I was okay to come up and perform.”

The Kid Laroi also postponed a planned appearance at streetwear store Culture Kings on Saturday afternoon.

His usually upbeat and fun-on-the-go Instagram account also fell quiet, as did the prolific social media postings from Laroi’s girlfriend Katarina Demetriades.

Until Melbourne, The Kid Laroi’s tour run was textbook pop star on the road — private jets and five star hotels, balanced with visits to McDonald’s, favourite spots and keeping his childhood friends close.

But, despite his well publicised side hustle — a paid promotion with Maccas — this past week has not been entirely McHappy.

The Kid Laroi is being sued by the manager who set him on the path to stardom.

Daniel “Zig” Annor, managing director of ART Management Group, last ­Friday filed Supreme Court lawsuits against Laroi under his real name – Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard – claiming breach of contract and loss of income.

The Kid Laroi has the flu. Picture: Getty Images

The Kid Laroi performs in Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Annor, who is being represented by Media Arts Lawyers, claims his management of the chart-topping music sensation was terminated just days before Laroi signed a deal with global music giant Sony.

He is also seeking damages from the singer’s mother, Sloane Marie Howard, claiming she interfered in their manager-artist relationship.

Sloane Howard also faces drama after being charged with alleged fraudulent credit card transactions.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Sloane Howard appeared in the Downing Centre courts on May 30 and pleaded not guilty to a charge of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

The matter has been listed for mention on June 27.

The Kid Laroi has also had an ongoing saga with management.

Variety reported he re-signed with Scooter Braun for management, a month after parting ways with another top US manager, Adam Leber.

Braun’s includes Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande.

Laroi first signed with Braun in June 2021, then left three months later over concerns the celebrity manager was not involved enough in making career decisions for the young singer.

The rapper had sold-out gigs in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.

Laroi exploded globally in 2020 with his debut album F —k Love, and hit singles Without You, with Miley Cyrus, and Stay, with Justin Bieber.

An Indigenous man with Kamilaroi heritage on his mother’s side, he grew in Redfern, near central Sydney.

Originally published as The Kid Laroi’s mum charged with fraud, as he is sued by manager