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Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kevin Costner sued over 'unscripted rape scene' he directed in his Horizon film
In the documents, it was claimed the stunt performer 'was the victim of a violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner' on the set of Horizon Kevin Costner has been named in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a stunt performer who alleged she had to film a "violent" and "unscripted" rape scene directed by Costner while on the set of his movie, Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 in 2023. The stunt performer filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California for Los Angeles County on Tuesday, May 27. In the documents, it was alleged she "was the victim of a violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner." She also included the production companies behind the movie as defendants in the suit and is suing for an undisclosed amount, requesting a trial by jury. The actor's attorney denied the allegations made against him, adding that Costner "takes safety on set very seriously." The stunt actor, who was hired as a double for lead actress Ella Hunt under a SAG agreement, claimed her job was to stand in for the lead star "during physical scenes". According to the civil complaint, it was noted how SAG doesn't permit "any last minute requests for nudity or simulated sex", adding producers are supposed to provide a two-day notice and get the okay from the performer when it comes to changes with intimate scenes. Her contract also allegedly requires a intimacy coordinator for the scenes. Her complaint alleged she filmed for a few weeks "without incident" and was told she would step in as a double for "a scripted, aggressive and intimate rape scene" with the lead star's character and actor Douglas Smith's character Sig due to the scenes' "very physical nature". She claimed the scripted scene, filmed on May 1 2023, was "wrapped" with "no issues", with it being a closed set "due to the sensitive nature of what was being recorded." But on the next day, she claimed she was on set for a "non-intimate scene" as a double and went on to allege that Costner added and directed a scene where another actor, Roger Ivens (playing a character named Birke), was supposed to "climb on top of Ms Hunt, violently raking up her skirt". The complaint alleged the scene wasn't on the call sheet for the day, with the only scenes being the lead actress, Ms Hunt, rifling through a dresser and a second scene where Mr Smith (playing Sig) interacts with Ms Hunt's character. Ivens isn't named as a defendant in the suit. Upon learning of the new unscripted scene, the lead actress allegedly left the set after refusing to do the scene. Costner allegedly told the stunt performer to stand in "without proper notice, consent, preparation, or appropriate safeguard measures in place". The stunt performer, who insisted she never gave consent for the added-in scene, claimed the task was "not within the scope of her role as a stunt double" and alleged she didn't know Ms Hunt walked off set after allegedly refusing to film the scene - which was claimed to be an open set. "As directed by Costner, this unscripted, unrehearsed scene consisted of Mr. Ivens mounting [the stunt performer] while miming the unbuttoning of his pants, and using his body and arms forcibly pinning down [the stunt performer], who was on her back underneath him. Mr. Ivens violently rustled [her] skirt up as if trying to penetrate her against her will," the complaint alleged. Costner's lawyer, Marty Singer, denied the allegations made against the actor and director, telling PEOPLE he "always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously." Singer, who is representing all production companies listed as defendants in the case, claimed the stunt performer is a "serial accuser" with claims that have "absolutely no merit" and are "completely contradicted by her own actions — and the facts." He also accused her of "shakedown tactics" and claimed she approved of the scene after rehearsing it with another actor and even giving her stunt coordinator a "thumbs up". According to Singer, the performer was in "good spirits" on the day the scene was filmed and allegedly sent the stunt coordinator a text thanking them for the chance to film. "The facts are clear and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail," Singer said.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Horizon' Stunt Performer Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Kevin Costner and Film's Producers
Kevin Costner is accused of directing an "unscripted" rape scene on the set of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 Stunt performer Devyn LaBella sued the actor and others in a sexual harassment lawsuit on Tuesday, May 27 Costner's attorneys have addressed the claims in a statement shared with PEOPLE, alleging that they have "absolutely no merit"Kevin Costner has been named in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a stunt performer who alleges she was subjected to an unscripted rape scene on the set of Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 in 2023. Devyn LaBella claimed in the complaint — filed in the Superior Court of California for Los Angeles County on Tuesday, May 27, and obtained by PEOPLE — that she "was the victim of a violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene directed by Kevin Costner." LaBella also included the production companies behind the movie as defendants in the lawsuit. She is suing for an undisclosed amount and wants a trial by jury. LaBella was hired as a stunt double for Horizon 2's lead actress, Ella Hunt, under a SAG agreement, per the complaint. Her job was to stand in for Hunt "during physical scenes," including performing stunts. The complaint notes that SAG does not allow "any last minute requests for nudity or simulated sex," and producers are required to give a 48-hour notice and get the performer's permission for any changes to intimate scenes. Hunt's contract also required her to have a "coordinator for all intimacy scenes." LaBella alleged in her lawsuit that after filming Horizon 2 for "several weeks" and "without incident," she was told that "due to its very physical nature," she would step in as a double for "a scripted, aggressive and intimate rape scene" with Hunt's character Juliette and actor Douglas Smith's character Sig. The scene was filmed on May 1, 2023, and after multiple takes, "wrapped" with "no issues," according to the lawsuit. LaBella alleged in her filing that the next day, May 2, 2023, she was on set for a "non-intimate scene" as Hunt's stunt double. However, Costner, who was also on set, allegedly added a scene where a second actor, Roger Ivens, was supposed to, under Costner's direction, "climb on top of Ms. Hunt, violently raking up her skirt." LaBella alleged that the scene was not listed on the call sheet for that day. Ivens is not named as a defendant. In the filing, LaBella claimed that after Hunt left the set, Costner asked her to "stand in" for the actress "without proper notice, consent, preparation, or appropriate safeguard measures in place" — a task she claims "was not within the scope of her role as a stunt double." LaBella also claimed in the filing that she wasn't aware that Hunt had walked off set after allegedly refusing to do the scene. LaBella insisted in her lawsuit that she never gave consent for the alleged impromptu scene, which was much different than the planned, choreographed, and scripted scene that was filmed the day before. She also claimed that it was an open set, allowing "anyone" to walk in and "observe the scene being performed." In the filing, LaBella alleged she didn't know when the scene began or ended, as Costner allegedly did not call out "action" or "cut." She also claimed stunt and intimacy coordinators were not informed that the scene was being taped. Following the scene, LaBella emotionally broke down and experienced "reminders of shame, humiliation and complete lack of control," per the lawsuit. She took a few days off from set and later returned to an "awkward" environment. Per the filing, she was allegedly told to stay by herself in her trailer and not be on set, while others allegedly "made excuses" for Costner. She alleged this was her experience until production wrapped and she returned to Los Angeles. LaBella said the alleged incident upended her career, "leaving her with permanent trauma that she will be required to address for years to come." She began therapy in June 2023 to address "symptoms" for her alleged experience such as "sleep disturbance, fears of intimacy" and "anxiety." "On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism," LaBella said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. "What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry. As I continue performing and step into my journey of stunt coordination, I operate with a fierce commitment to upholding the highest standards, creating sets where safety, communication, and consent are non-negotiable. This experience has ignited in me a lifelong mission to be the advocate I once needed, ensuring no one else is ever left as vulnerable as I was." Her attorney, James A. Vagnini, references the lawsuit as "emblematic of what is still a very deep rooted issue in Hollywood." 'This case is a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production," LaBella's attorney Kate McFarlane adds to PEOPLE. "Our client was subjected to brutal sexual conduct completely unprotected from the obvious harm. This happened despite the fact that there exists standards of conduct and behavior specifically designed to protect people like Devyn LaBella.' Costner's attorney Marty Singer vehemently denied the claims, telling PEOPLE that the actor "always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously." He says LaBella is a "serial accuser" and her claims have "absolutely no merit" and are "completely contradicted by her own actions — and the facts." He accuses her of "shakedown tactics" and claims she approved the scene after rehearsing it with another actor, giving her stunt coordinator a "thumbs up." Singer says LaBella was "in good spirits" on the evening the scene was filmed and sent the stunt coordinator a text message expressing gratitude for the opportunity. In the alleged text message shared with PEOPLE, LaBella added a cartwheel and heart hand emojis. "The facts are clear and we are beyond confident that Kevin will prevail," Singer concludes. LaBella is suing for damages and said she is calling out the alleged "continued failures" of Hollywood production companies in addressing "the impacts of performing sexually explicit and violent 'scenes'" as well as "the need for intimacy coordination." Reps for Hunt and Ivens did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nicolas Cage sued by ex-wife
Nicolas Cage's ex-wife is suing him for negligence. Christina Fulton previously claimed she had been "brutally assaulted" by her son Weston Cage while he was in the midst of a "mental health crisis" in April last year, and she's now taking legal action, in which she accused her former spouse of ignoring concerns about their offspring's mental health and instead enabling his behaviour ahead of the alleged altercation. Her lawsuit, which was filed in the Superior Court of California and obtained by People magazine, stated: "Weston has a long history of mental and psychological disorder and a history of committing violent assault and battery and harming numerous individuals. "Nicolas has been aware of Weston's history and nevertheless failed to take action to prevent Weston from committing acts of violence and harming others." The 57-year-old beauty accused the 'Pig' star of drinking alcohol with their son "despite knowing his substance abuse history", bailing the 33-year-old actor out of jail several times, and paying for his home, as well as alleging he failed to make sure Weston received "necessary psychiatric" treatment, aided his "reckless" lifestyle and didn't set boundaries to help curb their son's alleged antics. The lawsuit claimed: "Nicolas knew or should have known that Weston posed a serious and imminent danger to others, including Plaintiff, based on his documented history of violent assaults, substance abuse, and mental instability." The lawsuit claimed Christina sustained "severe and life threatening injuries" - including a brain concussion, multiple contusions, a disfiguring eye injury, dental trauma, PTSD and psychological damages - as a result of Weston's alleged attack, which had an impact on her "thriving" career as a model and actress. Christina was filming a Netflix series when her life was "derailed" by the incident, leaving her unable to film, or appear at promotional events, causing damage to her reputation, the lawsuit claimed. She is suing the 'Longlegs' actor for negligent supervision and negligent undertaking, and their son for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress. She is also suing both men for negligence.
New York Times
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Skip Bayless, Joy Taylor deny allegations made in lawsuit filed by former hairstylist; Fox Sports asks for dismissal
Former Fox Sports host Skip Bayless and current Fox Sports personality Joy Taylor each responded to a lawsuit filed in early January by hairstylist Noushin Faraji, denying the allegations against them and asking the court for relief. Meanwhile, attorneys for Fox Sports asked for the case to be dismissed 'in its entirety.' Advertisement Faraji filed the lawsuit in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles County against Fox Sports, Bayless, Taylor and executive vice president Charlie Dixon. In it, she accused Taylor of creating a hostile work environment through discrimination on the basis of race/national origin and disability, and said Bayless, the former host of 'Undisputed,' propositioned her for sex multiple times, including offering her $1.5 million. She also accused him of verbal harassment and inappropriate physical contact during haircuts. Faraji accused Dixon of sexual battery and said Taylor told her to 'get over it' when Faraji told her about Dixon allegedly groping her. A response filed by Bayless' attorney on Tuesday said Faraji 'consented, by words or conduct' to the conduct Faraji alleged. It also argued that Faraji was not entitled to recover damages 'to the extent that any purported emotional distress or pain and suffering damages allegedly suffered by Plaintiff was caused by any pre-existing psychological or medical condition(s).' Bayless' attorney did not respond to a request for comment. In Taylor's response, her attorney says Faraji 'was not a qualified person with a disability as defined by relevant law, nor regarded as a person with a disability.' In the January lawsuit, Faraji accused Taylor of mocking her English and complaining about Faraji's humming, which the plaintiff said was an involuntary subconscious coping mechanism for her diagnosed PTSD. A spokeswoman on behalf of Taylor told The Athletic that Faraji including Taylor in the complaint was an attempt to leverage media attention and public perception to extract financial gain. 'The claims set forth against Ms. Taylor are devoid of merit and appear to have been strategically framed to create unwarranted publicity rather than to seek legitimate redress,' the spokeswoman said. Advertisement 'Ms. Taylor denies each and every allegation against her as set forth in Plaintiff's Complaint to the extent they allege any wrongdoing, liability, or entitlement to relief.' Faraji's attorneys did not respond to a request for comment. Attorneys for Fox Sports also denied the allegations in their response. They wrote that Fox Sports 'exercised reasonable care to prevent and to correct any unlawful harassing and/or retaliatory workplace conduct allegedly experienced by Plaintiff, including by implementing clear procedures to report any instances of harassing or retaliatory conduct.' 'Plaintiff unreasonably failed to take advantage of any preventative or corrective opportunities provided by Defendants or to avoid harm otherwise, and thus Plaintiff's claims are barred,' they continued. On Feb. 3, sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic's Katie Strang and Andrew Marchand that Dixon has been placed on administrative leave. In a separate complaint from Faraji's, former Fox Sports anchor and reporter Julie Stewart-Binks alleged Dixon asked her to come to his hotel room following a work meeting and pushed her against a wall, pinned her arms and forcibly kissed her in January 2016.
