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Kevin Costner's lawyer slams 'meritless' sexual harassment claims against the actor
Kevin Costner's lawyer slams 'meritless' sexual harassment claims against the actor
The Yellowstone actor is being sued by Devyn LaBella
(Image: PARAMOUNT )
Kevin Costner's lawyer has described of sexual harassment allegation against the actor as "meritless".
The Yellowstone actor is being sued by Devyn LaBella, who has claimed she was subjected to a "violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene" without notice on set in May 2023 while filming Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2.
The 24--year-old stuntwoman's team first filed the lawsuit against Costner and Horizon producers last month and have now filed an amended complaint including text messages with the movie's intimacy coordinator, and the alleged emotions she felt after the scene.
In response, Costner's lawyer Marty Singer told in a statement: "Ms. LaBella was doing a rehearsal on an Insert Shot for a scripted scene. There was no intimacy or anything sexual in the shot.
"There was tugging on a dress while she was fully clothed in a dress with long bloomers lying down next to a male actor."
The lawyer has also alleged that LaBella - who was a stunt double for series star Ella Hunt - thanked her supervisor for "these wonderful weeks" after finishing work on the Western saga.
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Singer continued: "Numerous witnesses have contradicted Ms. LaBella's meritless claims.
"She herself texted her supervisor after she wrapped stating, 'Thank you for these wonderful weeks.'
"We look forward to the swift end of this specious lawsuit.'
Court documents obtained by say Devyn was hired as a stunt double for lead actress Ella Hunt and not informed or consented to the added scene, which she alleges caused "permanent trauma".
She also claimed the absence of an intimacy coordinator during filming.
Her suit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, states the scene was not on the call sheet and Hunt herself refused to perform it, allegedly walking off set.
She added Kevin directed actor Roger Ivens to perform the assault scene and asked her to stand in without adequate preparation or safeguards.
Kevin's attorney Marty Singer denied the allegations, calling her a "serial accuser" and accusing her of "shakedown tactics".
He stated: "Kevin always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously."
He also said Devyn had approved and rehearsed a prior intimate scene and was "in good spirits" afterwards.
Devyn, whose credits include Barbie (2023) and FX's American Horror Stories, said in a statement to People: "On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism."
She added she sought therapy for anxiety and sleep disturbances after the incident and vowed to advocate for safer sets.
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Her attorneys, James A. Vagnini and Kate McFarlane, described the case as "emblematic of what is still a very deep rooted issue in Hollywood" and "a clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production."
