In a recent legal development, two former students of James Franco’s acting school, Studio 4, have filed a lawsuit against the actor, alleging sexual exploitation. The suit was submitted to a Los Angeles Superior Court and claims that Franco, along with two associates, engaged in predatory behavior towards female students.
The plaintiffs, Emily Weston and Lisa Grant, assert that they were subjected to inappropriate auditions and film projects under the pretense of securing roles that ultimately never came to fruition. As reported by various outlets, including NPR, the two women claim that Franco and his partners created a culture of sexual exploitation, manipulating their authority as educators by offering opportunities in exchange for compliance with sexualized requests.
Studio 4, which operated from 2014 until its closure, offered courses that included a controversial class on “Intimate Scenes.” According to the lawsuit, students were required to audition for enrollment, incurring an additional fee of $750. “I admired him as an actor, and being chosen based on an audition made me feel valued,” Weston stated.
This lawsuit is not Franco’s first encounter with allegations of misconduct; he has faced accusations from others, including actress Kate Morris, who claimed he behaved inappropriately during their time on set. Weston expressed her lack of understanding regarding “nudity riders,” which are agreements that protect actors’ rights in scenes involving nudity or simulated sex. She noted that her involvement in such scenes seemed to lead to more opportunities to work with Franco, a situation not shared by many of her peers.
Grant echoed Weston’s sentiments, stating that the offers for work often included nudity requirements targeted at women. The lawsuit represents a class action on behalf of over 100 former female students who allege that the school sought to exploit young women for personal gain. The complaint also charges that Studio 4 was structured to bypass legal regulations regarding payment for auditions, compounding the alleged exploitation.
This situation gained additional attention when Franco wore a “Time’s Up” pin at the 2018 Golden Globes, prompting Weston and others to call out his perceived hypocrisy on social media.
In response to these allegations, Franco’s attorney, Mark Johnson, issued a statement claiming the accusations have been previously discredited, asserting that Franco will defend himself vigorously while seeking damages from the plaintiffs for the lawsuit, which he characterizes as a publicity stunt.
Weston remains resolute, stating, “They understood who they were asking to perform these scenes. They knew our career levels. This was intentional, allowing them to evade accountability.”
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In summary, two women have initiated legal proceedings against James Franco, alleging sexual exploitation during their time at his acting school. They claim that they were subjected to inappropriate practices and that the school’s structure was designed to exploit and objectify young women without legal recourse.