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*Four days after announcing the impending arrival of a new baby with wife Heidi Klum, Seal was ordered by a judge to pay about $1.8 million to his former manager, who claimed he was owed commissions from the artist's first two albums.
Justice Charles Gray on Thursday ruled in favor of John Wadlow, who proved he was entitled to unpaid commissions due under an agreement in 1995. Both of the albums in question were recorded before that date.
Born Henry Olusegun Olumide Adelo Samuel, Seal argued that he owed nothing in the case. However, Judge Gray saw things differently, ruling the singer owed much of his initial success to Wadlow’s efforts, including the shepherding of his first two albums in 1991 and 1994, both titled “Seal.”
"I am in no doubt that [Seal's] accounts of events was an honest attempt on his part to recollect events, most of which took place long ago," Gray said. "He has had little formal education but he is clearly an intelligent man. His answers in cross-examination were thoughtful, modest and fluently expressed."
But, the judge continued: "It appeared to me that, at least in the early years of his career as an artist, he had little interest in its financial aspects and preferred to concentrate on his music."
Regarding Wadlow's testimony, Gray said: "There is no doubt that in the early days he did a great deal to help Seal to build a career. Once Seal's career took off, he felt himself entitled to share in that success."
Seal has been ordered to pay an initial installment of about $922,000 due by July 21, as well as Wadlow’s court costs, estimated at about $900,000.