Avery Cyrus’ Former Manager Accuses Influencer of Exploitation in Lawsuit

Dylan Saborio has filed a defamation lawsuit against his former client Avery Cyrus, alleging that the influencer used her popularity to blacklist him and spread falsehoods after their failed business relationship. 

In a new lawsuit obtained by PEOPLE, Saborio accused the 25-year-old social media star of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and false light.

In addition to $536,546.15 in special damages, the talent manager is also requesting a public apology.

According to the complaint, Cyrus, whose real name is Avery Renee Blanchard, allegedly “admitted during a Zoom call that she had ‘used’ [Saborio], manipulated him to advance her own career, and never genuinely cared for him, despite the close and trusting relationship they had shared.”

Saborio is accusing her of exhibiting a “prolonged pattern of malicious conduct, deliberate emotional harm, and reputational sabotage that would continue for years.”

Saborio alleges that around “mid-2022, despite working diligently and ethically, [he] began to face coordinated hostility and professional exclusion. He was labeled as ‘creepy,’ ‘a horrible person,’ and even a ‘predator,’ but for years, he could not determine the source of these deeply damaging accusations.”

According to the defamation lawsuit, he would later learn Cyrus was allegedly behind the attacks. 

In his filing, Saborio included screenshots of what he described as a June 10, 2024 TikTok livestream in which Cyrus allegedly joined “uninvited and unannounced” as he was discussing vulnerable topics. 

Though only “approximately 30 live viewers” were present for the interaction, Cyrus allegedly stated that Saborio “abused her and others,” and “If I ever get murdered, it’s this man right here.”

He further claims that she “mocked [his] emotional distress” brought on by social scrutiny and loss of wages. 

“In another deeply manipulative moment, she said, ‘Remember when I had to call the cops on you,’ falsely implying he was a criminal threat. In truth, the incident she referred to was a wellness check initiated on August 31, 2023, which resulted in Plaintiff being involuntarily hospitalized for a 6-day psychiatric hold,” the lawsuit alleges.

Saborio claims that Cyrus’ social media friends, who have just as much influence as her, attempted to “alienate [him] from the industry.”

He claims Sam Wyatt, who is “signed with the same management company that now represents” Cyrus, “suddenly and without provocation messaged [Saborio] via Instagram, calling him ‘sick,’ ‘disgusting,’ a ‘lowlife,’ and a ‘sad and pathetic little man,’ and even threatened to have him arrested.”

As the alleged attacks went on, Saborio claims he could no longer find work in his field. 

Saborio claims that he was unable to pay his bills, became homeless, and had to use his two cars as a sleeping place and source of income until his vehicles were repossessed. 

Saborio claims that while he faced hardships, Cyrus “continues to thrive both publicly and financially, frequently traveling and attending exclusive events.”

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He cites her alleged pattern of manipulative behavior as being documented by “credible news outlets such as Billboard, Complex, Page Six and people.com,” He claims Cyrus’ ex-girlfriend Jojo Siwa publicly stated that the influencer used the Dance Moms alum to grow their own “career” and “get to the top,” echoing Siwa’s own words from a previous video alleging Cyrus wanted to gain “views” and “clout” from their relationship.

When asked for comment, Cyrus’ rep told PEOPLE they are not aware of the lawsuit. Saborio did not immediately respond for comment.