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Homeless 'Golden Voice' Man Sues Over Voice-Over Contract

By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. on August 23, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Ted Williams, the homeless "Man with the Golden Voice," skyrocketed to fame earlier this year when a YouTube video of his radio-quality tenor hit the airwaves.

Though the sudden attention brought job offers and a chance to get off the streets, it hasn't been all good from Williams' perspective.

In a lawsuit filed against his agents--the producers of America's Next Voice--he alleges that he practically signed his life away while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The contract, which is little discussed in the complaint, purportedly grants Zev Suissa, Randy Thomas, and Joe Cipriano a hefty chunk of Ted Williams' earnings.

Calling its terms "one-sided, onerous, burdensome, non-negotiated and blatantly unfair," WTMA reports that Williams asserts that he was unable to understand its terms and that the three men knew he was dealing with significant substance abuse.

Ordinarily, judges will not void contracts simply because one party was intoxicated at the time of its signing.

However, if there is evidence that the sober party knew of the intoxication and took advantage of the other party's diminished state, the court may step in and void the contract.

If the terms are as egregious as alleged by Williams, the contract alone may be sufficient evidence to prove the alleged nefarious intent of his agents.

Moreover, the contract's terms may sufficiently prove unconscionability--a contract defense that allows courts to void those agreements that are blatantly unfair and oppressive.

It's hard to tell at this point what will happen, but let the plight of "Golden Voice" Ted Williams serve as a reminder that you shouldn't sign contracts while drunk.

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