Arianne Zucker, a familiar face on Days of Our Lives for 25 years, has bravely stepped forward, filing a lawsuit against the show’s co-executive producer, Albert Alarr, for alleged sexual harassment. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, outlines disturbing instances of offensive comments, unwanted physical contact, and workplace bullying by Alarr, reports Variety.
Zucker claims that Alarr, dismissed last summer, routinely engaged in inappropriate behavior, including offensive sexual comments, unwarranted hugging, and bullying of female staff. The suit unveils shocking details, alleging Alarr’s preference for directing aggressive sex scenes and threesomes. In one incident, he reportedly made inappropriate remarks while directing Zucker in a sex scene, creating an uncomfortable and hostile work environment.
The lawsuit further exposes Alarr’s alleged comments like, “Fuck him like you were younger!” and details his inappropriate behavior, followed by remarks about the absence of an HR department. Zucker took a bold step by reporting the harassment to Ken Corday, the head of the show’s production company. Subsequently, a comprehensive HR investigation involving 30 witnesses was initiated, corroborating the claims.
In a disturbing turn of events, Zucker claims that her pay was slashed as retaliation during the investigation, and her character was abruptly written off the show in June 2023. The lawsuit suggests that Alarr’s termination only occurred after media reports surfaced about the ongoing investigation.
Zucker’s legal action not only targets Alarr but also includes Corday and Corday Productions. The lawsuit alleges that Zucker, upon challenging the harassment, faced a “take it or leave it” offer during the renewal of her contract. The legal battle sheds light on the challenges Zucker endured, continuing to work with Alarr during the HR investigation, further exposing the toxic work environment.
This courageous step by Zucker is a testament to the ongoing struggle against workplace harassment. As the legal battle unfolds, the industry must reckon with the broader issue of ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all. The #MeToo movement gains strength as more individuals like Arianne Zucker come forward to demand accountability and justice.