“Days of Our Lives” star, Arianne Zucker, sued Corday Production Inc., executive producer Ken Corday and former executive producer Albert Alarr, alleging sexual harassment, court documents said, TMZ reported.
Zucker alleged she was subjected to nonconsensual sexual touching and was forced to contend with harassing comments when Alarr was employed by the company, court documents read, according to TMZ. She reportedly claimed she was among several other female victims who were allegedly subjected to Alarr’s unwelcome advances. Zucker claimed Alarr would allegedly pull her close to his chest and allegedly make sexually suggestive moaning sounds, the outlet reported. Alarr would also allegedly make suggestive remarks when she was filming sex scenes. Corday Productions and the attorney representing Alarr issued statements directly to The Daily Caller regarding this matter.
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 01: Actress Arianne Zucker arrives at the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel on May 1, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images)
Her lawsuit alleged harassment, discrimination, retaliation, negligent hiring and supervision and wrongful termination as well as other claims, the documents revealed, TMZ reported. She was reportedly also pursuing unnamed damages.
The court filing by Zucker claimed Alarr allegedly watched the sex scenes unfold on the set and would allegedly tell her male costars he would “love to switch positions” with them, the documents said, according to TMZ. She reportedly alleged he emphasized that he particularly enjoyed the aggressive sex scenes she was involved in.
Zucker claimed she was not the only one allegedly targeted by Alarr, and said his behavior was allegedly well known to other producers connected to the show, the documents said, according to TMZ. She reportedly claimed other women allegedly came forward with similar complaints over the span of several years, but alleged the company didn’t take action against him.
LOS ANGELES – MAY 14: Arianne Zuke arrives at the 32nd Annual Daytime Emmy Creative Arts Awards at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland on May 14, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
The famous actress claimed she spoke to Sony, the co-producer of the show, and went as far as discussing her allegations with their human resources department between March 2023 and June 2023, the documents read, TMZ reported. However, she reportedly pointed out Alarr was permitted to continue in his position during that time, which she stated made her feel “violated and intimidated” given the alleged nature of their exchange.
She claimed Alarr was only fired when allegations against him were made public and said she believed the action was primarily taken to “save face,” the documents stated, according to TMZ.
Zucker alleged Corday Productions failed to negotiate her contract and simply gave her a “take it or leave it” offer, the court documents added, TMZ reported. Her contract reportedly expired in January and she has since been left without employment.
BURBANK, CA – JUNE 09: Arianne Zuker arrives at The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Daytime Emmy Nominee cocktail party on June 9, 2008 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Robert M. Barta, attorney for Albert Alarr, issued a statement to The Daily Caller, saying, “As Albert said when Ms. Zucker first leveled these outrageous claims through the press last year, her baseless allegations were examined in a detailed and entirely independent investigation that lasted for two months.”
Barta went on to say, “dozens of individuals cooperated and every claim was thoroughly looked into. At the end of that process, the decision was made that Albert should continue in his role as Co-Executive Producer of Days of Our Lives.”
The Daily Caller obtained a statement from a company spokesperson at Corday Productions that echoed Barta’s claims.
“Complaints about Mr. Alarr’s on-set behavior were promptly investigated. Corday Productions fully cooperated with the impartial investigation and subsequently terminated Mr. Alarr,” they said to The Daily Caller.
LAGUNA BEACH, CA – AUGUST 26: Actor Arianne Zucker attends the Festival of Arts Celebrity Benefit Event on August 26, 2017 in Laguna Beach, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Festival of Arts)
Barta addressed Zucker’s current employment status head-on.
“As Ms. Zucker’s own lawsuit all but admits, at a time of industry-wide cutbacks, she was aggressively seeking a significant personal pay increase and additional influence on the show,” he said. (RELATED: Four NHL Players Charged In 2018 Sexual Assault Case)
“Having failed in those attempts, she is now — again — trying to exploit vile stereotypes to denigrate and demean a Black man who was in a position of power,” Barta alleged in a statement issued to The Daily Caller.
Corday Productions’ spokesperson also addressed Zucker’s firing, saying, “Corday Productions offered to renew Ms. Zucker’s contract including offering her a pay increase. Rejecting Ms. Zucker’s counteroffer does not constitute retaliation.”
The story continues to unfold.