Trevi became an international pop superstar in the ’90s and was viewed as Mexico’s answer to Madonna because of her songs about sexual independence and her provocative dance moves. Oh and she also favored ripped tights. (Lucky for her tights are back in style now that she’s out of jail!)

She was arrested along with her manager and a backup singer in 2000. After spending years in prisons in Brazil and Mexico, she was acquitted on the charges.

The lawsuit names Mexican network TV Azteca, its U.S. affiliate Azteca America and Pati Chapoy, host of “Ventaneando,” which specializes in celeb esposes and is apparently the Mexican TMZ .

Trevi claims that after she refused to sign with TV Azteca, the network retaliated with a load of slander, libel and defamation in an attempt to stop her comeback. The lawsuit says the network spread a rumor that she was bumping elbows with a notorious drug cartel leader and that she was then forced to move her family to McAllen, Texas.

The suit says the network and Chapoy were “determined to prevent Gloria Trevi from rising from the ashes like the fabled Phoenix.”

That’s no joke. She’s a bird that just wants to spread her wings and fly again!

Trevi’s lawyer said the lawsuit seeks damages that have not yet been specified.

After being released from jail, Trevi released her sixth studio album Cómo Nace El Universo in late 2004 and then Una Rosa Blu in 2007.

Read the AP article here.