**Kevin Costner’s Legal Team Denounces Sexual Harassment Suit as “Meritless”**
Lawyers representing Hollywood star Kevin Costner have strongly denied new allegations of sexual harassment brought against the actor, labelling them as “meritless” and lacking any foundation. The actor, best known for his work on the television series *Yellowstone*, is facing a lawsuit in which he is accused of being involved in an unscripted and unapproved sexual encounter whilst on the set of his forthcoming film project, *Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2*.
The claims originate from Devyn LaBella, a 24-year-old stuntwoman, who alleges that she was forced into what she describes as a “violent, unscripted, unscheduled rape scene” while filming took place in May 2023. According to her, the incident occurred without prior notice or consent, raising questions about on-set protocols and the safeguarding of performers during difficult scenes. LaBella’s legal team initially filed suit against Costner and the film’s producers last month, and have since submitted an amended complaint. This revised document reportedly includes exchanges with the film’s intimacy coordinator and details her emotional state after filming the alleged scene.
Costner’s attorney, Marty Singer, issued a robust rebuttal earlier this week. In a statement provided to the press, Singer asserted, “Ms. LaBella was participating in a rehearsal on an Insert Shot for a scripted scene. There was no intimacy or sexual content involved during the filming.” He further elaborated that LaBella remained “fully clothed, lying down next to a male actor,” and that the entirety of the interaction involved nothing beyond a “tug on her dress”.
Singer also noted that LaBella had expressed gratitude to her supervisor upon completing her work on the Western epic. “We have numerous witnesses whose accounts directly challenge Ms. LaBella’s allegations,” he said. In support of his claim, Singer cited a text message from LaBella to her supervisor following the end of filming, in which she reportedly wrote, “Thank you for these wonderful weeks.”
Details emerging from court documents, mainly sourced from reports by *DailyMail.com*, paint a more complex picture. LaBella was hired to serve as a stunt double for the film’s lead actress, Ella Hunt. She alleges she was not made aware of, nor did she agree to, the disputed scene, which was absent from the official call sheet. Additionally, the complaint suggests Hunt refused to film the contentious sequence and left the set, after which LaBella was asked to step in without what she describes as adequate warning, preparation, or protection.
LaBella’s team has also underlined the absence of an intimacy coordinator during the shoot, a standard industry safeguard designed to support actors and stunt performers in emotionally and physically vulnerable scenes. In her own words, shared in a statement to *People* magazine, LaBella said, “On that day, I was left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism.” She further revealed that she has sought therapeutic support for anxiety and sleep disruption stemming from the incident, and is now determined to campaign for safer standards across film sets.
In response to the allegations, Singer dismissed LaBella as a “serial accuser”, and accused her legal action of amounting to “shakedown tactics”. He insisted that Costner is steadfast in his commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all cast and crew, stating, “Kevin always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously.” Singer also claimed that LaBella had previously agreed to and rehearsed a separate intimate scene without issue and was “in good spirits” post-filming.
Representatives for LaBella, attorneys James A. Vagnini and Kate McFarlane, have called the claim a “clear example of male-dominated, sexist Hollywood movie production,” suggesting that the case highlights entrenched challenges within the industry. They believe the situation is indicative of broader systemic problems that still persist behind the scenes in Hollywood.
This legal dispute arrives at a time when the film industry continues to face intense scrutiny over safeguarding workers from potential abuses and ensuring on-set standards are being met. The outcome of this case will likely be closely observed, as it raises important questions about accountability, communication, and the support of industry professionals.
As proceedings unfold, both parties have expressed confidence in their positions and appear prepared for a drawn-out legal contest. The future of *Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2*, as well as Costner’s involvement, remains under close watch as Hollywood and the wider public await further developments.