The Talk Dirty hitmaker-turned-dancer, Jason Derulo, has recently been the talk of the town after he faced criticism online from animal rights activists and netizens who were not quite pleased with his immensely expensive living room shark tank, according to TMZ.
The 36-year-old Florida-based singer, Jason Derulo, welcomed prominent YouTube streamer N3on in April 2026 to his $15 million residential property in California’s Tarzana for a house tour, where he showed him his million-dollar circular aquarium with a shark in it, which is installed beneath his living room floor, according to Page Six.
While discussing the shark tank in his living room floor, Derulo explained to N3on how costly and time-consuming it was to get the whole thing done perfectly. Derulo said:
“Basically, I got someone who makes pools to do the shell of it, and then I had the aquarium people put it all together. Then I had a different floor that didn’t show the sharks well enough, so I decided to go for white [background].”
However, when TMZ reached out to the Savage Love singer regarding the matter, Jason Derulo stated that he is aware of the backlash and criticism he is facing online and that he understands why some people are not quite happy with his custom-made shark tank and said:
“I’m trying to figure out the best way forward.”
TMZ took to their X (formerly Twitter) handle and posted a clip of Jason Derulo addressing the shark tank controversy. Check out the clip below:
The International Fund for Animal Welfare criticized Jason Derulo after clips of his million-dollar shark tank went viral on TikTok
As cited by Page Six, the IFAW reportedly accused the Get Ugly singer, Derulo, of setting a bad precedent after videos of his living room floor aquarium with a shark in it went viral on social media. While Jason also faced criticism from netizens, the IFAW’s Program Manager, Christian Plowman, in a statement shared with The Mirror, said:
“Sharks are facing severe pressures — threatened by overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction, with many species now considered endangered. They play a critical role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. The recent seizure of more than 700 trafficked marine animals in Argentina is a stark reminder that the illegal ‘exotic’ pet trade extends far beyond the species most people think of.”
He continued:
“Sharks, rays and other marine animals are increasingly being targeted to satisfy demand for home aquariums and luxury displays.”
Plowman also condemned celebrities who keep exotic animals as pets, and said:
“For some, these animals have become the ultimate status symbol. Singer Jason Derulo recently showcased a home shark tank. When celebrities and influencers with millions of followers treat wild animals as interior design features, the consequences reach far beyond their living rooms.”
He went ahead and added:
“Normalizing the ownership of sharks in a domestic tank sends a damaging message to audiences around the world. If Derulo genuinely cares about these animals, he could use his platform as a powerful force for good.”
Plowman, while talking about how Jason Derulo is “setting a bad example”, noted:
The singer [Derulo] could instead help educate the public and “challenge misconceptions” about marine wildlife.
He further added:
“Help turn the tide on a trade that is pushing some of the world’s most remarkable marine species closer to extinction. Right now, he is setting a bad example.”
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Edited by Koustav Mandal