“Hustlers” was one of the big surprise hits of 2019, as the film made a lot of money at the box office, racked up lots of positive reviews from critics and even got Jennifer Lopez a recent Golden Globe nomination. Unfortunately, that’s where the good news ends for the film because both Jennifer Lopez and her production company are being sued for millions by the woman who inspired the story.
In case you didn’t know, “Hustlers” was inspired by the true story of Samantha Barbash, who has voiced her feelings since the film’s premiere about not being fairly compensated for her story. Now, @TMZ_TV reports that Barbash is officially suing Jennifer Lopez and her production company for a massive $40 million, alleging that they used her likeness and story without permission—and that she was defamed in the film.
Barbash alleges in her lawsuit that “Hustlers” producers initially approached her to get her consent for the movie before they began filming—but she turned them down. Despite Barbash not agreeing to the film being made, production went ahead anyway and the film was released in back in September with Jennifer playing the lead character obviously based on her.
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Barbash goes on to state in her lawsuit that the character played by Jennifer in the film is portrayed as “using and manufacturing illegal substances in her home where she lived with her child.” She says that portrayal it’s untrue and offensive.
She’s suing for $20 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages. Barbash also wants a judge to grant a court order requiring producers to turn over all copies of “Hustlers.”
Roommates, what are your thoughts on this?
