A stunt performer who had worked with Kevin Costner on his movie Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter Two has filed a lawsuit against him alleging violence and harassment on set.
She filed a complaint
The stunt performer, Devyn LaBella, filed a complaint against Costner, 70, and production companies behind the movie which came out last year.
In the suit, she alleges sexual discrimination, harassment, and the creation of a hostile work environment, according to the New York Post.
LaBella claimed a certain scene was particularly violent
The legal documents state that the 34-year-old stunt performer claims she was “the victim of a violent unscripted, unscheduled rape scene” in the movie. She claims this happened on May 2, 2023.
She also noted that the movie was directed by Costner himself.
Costner’s team denied the accusations
The actor’s legal team responded to LaBella’s claims shutting them down. They said her allegations have “absolutely no merit.”
Costner’s attorney, Marty Singer, said, “Kevin Costner always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.”
Singer said the claims are ‘contradictory’
The actor’s attorney went on, “However, this claim by Devyn LaBella has absolutely no merit, and it is completely contradicted by her own actions — and the facts.”
Costner’s legal team shared screenshots of text messages allegedly sent by LaBella where she appeared to be ‘in good spirits’.
The texts were sent after a cast dinner
The actor’s legal team said the alleged text messages were sent after a cast dinner which took place following a rehearsal of the scene in question in 2023.
“She [LaBella] was in good spirits and made no complaints to them,” Singer said. “She continued to work on the movie for a few more weeks until her wrap date, and she took the stunt coordinator to a thank-you dinner.”
The stuntwoman said she experienced ‘shock’
Singer went on to say that LaBella also sent Costner “a cordial thank you text illustrated with happy heart emojis.”
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But the stuntwoman said in her filing that she “experienced shock, embarrassment and humiliation while attempting to process the situation,” in the days after filming.
She wasn’t asked back on the third movie
LaBella, who has credits in projects including Barbie, American Horror Stories, CSI: Vegas, Yellowjackets, and The Rookie, further claimed she was “not hired back to continue her role or at all as a stunt double for Horizon 3, which began filming in early 2024.”
LaBella felt ‘exposed’ and ‘unprotected’
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about her experience with the scene in question, LaBella said she was “left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism” following the scene.
“What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry.”
