Kevin Costner, the actor and director behind the Western film series ‘Horizon: An American Saga’, is facing a sexual harassment lawsuit from stuntwoman Devyn LaBella. The incident in question allegedly took place during the filming of ‘Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2’ in May 2023, when LaBella claims she was made to perform a violent, unscheduled rape scene without prior notice, consent, or the presence of an intimacy coordinator. LaBella, who was the lead stunt double for actress Ella Hunt, alleges that these events led to significant emotional trauma and professional repercussions.
Costner’s legal team has rejected the allegations, arguing that LaBella’s own behavior contradicts the claims and that the allegations lack merit. The lawsuit, filed in California, seeks compensatory and punitive damages and a trial by jury. The documents state that LaBella was hired on a SAG-AFTRA contract to work as Hunt’s stunt double during the filming of ‘Horizon 2’, which took place in Utah. Under SAG-AFTRA protocols, any scenes involving nudity or simulated sex require 48 hours prior notice, consent, and the presence of an intimacy coordinator.
According to the lawsuit, LaBella and the actors previously rehearsed the rape scene with the intimacy coordinator. However, the following day, Costner, who was present on the set, improvised additional scenes in which Juliette would be raped by a different character played by another actor. LaBella claimed that Costner directed the other actor to repeatedly perform a violent simulated rape on her without proper notice, consent, preparation, or appropriate safeguard measures in place, such as the project’s intimacy coordinator being called in. LaBella was unaware that Hunt had left the set after allegedly refusing to perform the scene, and the set was not closed, further adding to her distress.
In addition to the traumatic experience during filming, LaBella began therapy in June 2023 to address symptoms of the alleged experience, which included intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event, sleep disturbance, fears of intimacy, and anxiety. LaBella stated in a statement to Fox News Digital, ‘What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry. As I continue performing and step into my journey of stunt coordination, I operate with a fierce commitment to upholding the highest standards, creating sets where safety, communication, and consent are non-negotiable.’ She also expressed a commitment to advocating for others in the industry to ensure such experiences do not occur again.
Costner’s attorney, Marty Singer, has described LaBella as a ‘serial accuser of people in the entertainment industry,’ and has claimed that the allegations are fabricated. Singer pointed to LaBella’s positive interactions with the production team and a text message she allegedly sent to the stunt coordinator, which included ‘happy heart emojis’ and a statement of gratitude. Singer concluded that the facts are clear and that Costner will prevail in the case. However, the lawsuit continues to be a significant legal and public relations challenge for Costner and his production team.