Sylvester Stallone accused of fostering “toxic environment” on set of new TV show
Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone has been accused of creating a “toxic environment” on the set of his Paramount+ television show, Tulsa King.
The programme, which first aired in late 2022, is currently in the process of shooting its second series in Oklahoma. However, the programme has now been thrown into jeopardy as casting director Rose Locke has claimed to have quit working on Tulsa King after Stallone was accused of making offensive comments towards background actors.
While Paramount+ are reportedly aware of the allegations, they are yet to comment on the complaints made about Stallone.
On April 8th, television writer Julie Benson, who is not working on Tulsa King, shared screenshots on X and also wrote: “Got this disturbing news from my Atlanta friend who’s background on Tulsa King this wk. Casting agent quit because she was so disgusted. My friend is feeling anxious about working now. Sylvester Stallone what do you have to say for yourself, sir? Beyond disappointed, I’m livid.”
In the screenshots, a Facebook user claims Stallone was heard saying to the show’s director of the extras, “What the fuck is happening with these fucking ugly background”.
It further alleged, “He and the director proceeded to call certain people terrible names and laughed at them.” The screenshot also claimed, “Sly said, ‘Bring in pretty young girls to be around me.’”
Elsewhere in the Facebook post it was stated that Locke is no longer working on the series. It also pleaded with background actor “to stand together” and “show this production we don’t support this kind of disrespect in GA”.
Additionally, another screenshot, which appears to be an email from Locke, reads, “At the end of the day I resigned because it was a clear toxic environment that I was not comfortable putting myself or background artists in.”
Meanwhile, Rose Locke Casting’s page on Facebook announced on April 7th that it was no longer apart of the project, telling followers: “We wanted to send you an update on the happenings here in our casting world. We have chosen to part ways with Tulsa King. We will be finishing up next week and the 12th will be our last day. We send well wishes to whomever takes over the show. We thank all of you great background artists for your continued support.”
The episode’s director Craig Zisk has denied the claims to TMZ, but did reveal he was unhappy with the casting of the background actors who were supposed to be “young and hip”. Zisk claims they were older than expected, but were “polite and did their jobs”.
However, going forward, he claims to have asked to see photos of background actors before they arrived on set, leading to a dispute with Locke.
Stallone is yet to comment on the allegations.
This is a developing story.
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