Current:Home > MarketsOliver James Montgomery-'Days of Our Lives' star Arianne Zucker sues producers over sexual harassment -TrueNorth Finance Path
Oliver James Montgomery-'Days of Our Lives' star Arianne Zucker sues producers over sexual harassment
EchoSense View
Date:2025-04-09 15:44:48
Former "Days of Our Lives" star Arianne Zucker is Oliver James Montgomerysuing the show's producers for alleged sexual harassment.
Zucker, who played Nicole Walker on the popular soap opera from 1998 to when her character was written off in June, is suing former long-running "Days" co-executive producer Albert Alarr and current executive producer Ken Corday over claims of touching including groping and kissing, inappropriate comments and creating a toxic workplace environment.
Alarr's "unwelcome physical touching," where he allegedly "forcefully touched without her consent," made Zucker feel "offended, uncomfortable, humiliated and intimidated," according to the lawsuit, obtained by USA TODAY. Allar's alleged touching near Zucker's genitals left her feeling "violated."
"Alarr would frequently grab and tightly hug, purposely pushing her breasts onto his chest, while moaning 'Oh Ari!,'" the lawsuit states.
Albert Alarr, 'Days of Our Lives'executive producer ousted after misconduct allegations, reports say
The lawsuit's other allegations include claims that during certain scenes, Zucker would have to stand up and get out of the bed with minimal clothes with nothing but pasties covering her breasts in front of a mostly male crew. Alarr, her lawyers allege, was allowed to sit in the production booth during an HR investigation while Zucker's body was exposed.
The suit alleges pay disparity, saying female actors were paid less than their male counterparts; Zucker also alleges her pay was cut after reporting the allegations. She said Codray only fired Alarr once the misconduct allegations made headlines.
Zucker "did what we tell all women who experience harassment to do, and that is to report it," her attorney Anahita Sedaghatfar said in a statement to USA TODAY Wednesday. "Ms. Zucker did just that and was the voice for other women who were too scared to come forward. Rather than condone her bravery, Ms. Zucker alleges that Corday retaliated against her and because she spoke out she has lost a job she was devoted to for two decades."
Zucker is also the subject of former President Donald Trump's infamous "grab 'em" tape featuring former "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush, according to "Today" and The New York Times.
The lawsuit against Alarr, who served as the show's director since 2003 and co-executive producer since 2011, comes on the heels of his ouster in August after allegations of misconduct were raised against him. USA TODAY has reached out to Alarr's rep and "Days of Our Lives" for comment.
Tyler Christopher,soap opera actor from 'General Hospital' and 'Days of Our Lives,' dead at 50
Arianne Zucker alleges pay gap, pay cut after raising sexual harrassment claims
Corday confirmed Alarr's departure in a statement obtained by Deadline and Variety.
"Effective immediately, Janet Drucker will be elevated to co-executive producer of 'Days of Our Lives,' replacing Albert Alarr, who will be exiting his role," Corday wrote at the time in a memo to the show's cast and crew, per the outlets. "Moving forward, we will be implementing additional HR protocols, including an increased HR presence as well as channels for reporting any concerns. It is imperative that we have a safe and inclusive workplace environment."
Zucker's lawsuit also alleges that Codray has continued a personal friendship with Alarr in the wake of public backlash from fans and viewers after the misconduct controversy surfaced.
"As part of this lawsuit we will seek to ensure that Corday provides sexual harassment training to its employees and hires an intimacy coordinator to be on set for sex scenes," Zucker's lawyer said.
In an August statement to Deadline and People after the allegations surfaced, Alarr said, "It is hard to overstate how heartbreaking I find this situation."
"These allegations were already examined in a detailed and entirely independent investigation that lasted for two months," Alarr continued. "Dozens of individuals cooperated and every claim was thoroughly looked into. At the end of that process, the decision was made that I should continue in my role as co-executive producer. Now, with no new facts presented, the studios have reversed course and caved to a cynical pressure campaign to force me out of my job."
Contributing: Edward Segarra
veryGood! (142)
Related
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea as North’s leader Kim exchanges messages with Putin
- San Francisco man, 31, identified as driver who rammed vehicle into Chinese consulate
- UK police on the scene after Kenyan plane diverted to land at Stansted Airport with fighter escort
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Arrest made after 3 stabbed at Atlanta airport, including police officer
- After a hard fight to clear militants, Israeli soldiers find a scene of destruction, slain children
- Taylor Swift Shares Sweet Moment With Adam Sandler and His Daughters at Enchanting Eras Film Premiere
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Makers of some menstrual product brands to repay tampon tax to shoppers
Ranking
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Kansas basketball coach Bill Self won't face additional penalties from infractions case
- Pentagon’s ‘FrankenSAM’ program cobbles together air defense weapons for Ukraine
- Black student suspended over hairstyle will be sent to disciplinary education program
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- UN suspends and detains 8 peacekeepers in Congo over allegations of sexual exploitation
- Chrishell Stause Is Confronted By Jason Oppenheim's Girlfriend in Selling Sunset Season 7 Trailer
- Where was the winning Powerball ticket sold? One California player wins $1.76 billion
Recommendation
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
Makers of some menstrual product brands to repay tampon tax to shoppers
Social Security recipients will get a smaller increase in benefits as inflation cools
Maps and satellite images reveal Gaza devastation as Israel retaliates for Hamas attack
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
Michigan woman wins $6 million from scratch off, becomes final winner of state's largest game
Russian President Putin arrives in Kyrgyzstan on a rare trip abroad
UEFA postpones Israel’s game in Kosovo in European qualifying because players cannot travel abroad