20 Actresses Who Bullied Extras Off the Set

Working on a Hollywood movie set can be incredibly stressful, and unfortunately, some actors reportedly take that stress out on the people around them – especially background actors and crew. While many actresses are known for being kind and professional, stories circulate about others who have been difficult to work with, even creating unpleasant or hostile atmospheres. Here’s a look at twenty actresses who have been accused of bullying or mistreating extras and crew members on set.

Lea Michele

Former ‘Glee’ star Lea Michele faced significant criticism after co-star Samantha Marie Ware publicly accused her of creating a hostile work environment. Ware claimed Michele engaged in subtle but hurtful behaviors and even threatened to sabotage her appearance. Other background actors then shared similar experiences, alleging Michele treated them with disrespect, calling them names and refusing to work alongside them. These accounts suggest a pattern of Michele using her position to belittle those with less power on the show’s set.

Jennifer Lopez

For years, there have been stories about a famous actress who allegedly has a rule that background actors and staff aren’t allowed to look her in the eye. While filming ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting,’ she supposedly refused to speak directly to extras, instead communicating through her assistants. People working in the industry say that breaking this rule could get you immediately fired. This has reportedly made those working on set feel anxious, fearing they might lose their pay for accidentally making eye contact.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan’s appearance on ‘Glee’ was reportedly difficult for the show’s team. Sources say she consistently arrived late, leaving hundreds of extras waiting for hours without information or pay. This lack of preparation and unprofessional behavior caused major delays and frustrated the crew. Many extras reportedly felt disrespected and unappreciated due to her actions during filming.

Katherine Heigl

I’ve always been fascinated by Katherine Heigl, but I’ve also heard a lot about how things were on set with her. From what I understand, she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, and that sometimes came across as being really critical of how things were run – everything from what she wore to the food available. People have said this created a lot of tension, not just with the producers, but even with the background actors. It seemed like that reputation for being difficult to work with unfortunately led to fewer roles for a while. It’s a shame, because she’s so talented, but it definitely seemed like her honesty impacted her career.

Julia Roberts

While filming ‘Hook’, Julia Roberts gained the nickname “Tinkerhell” from the crew because she was reportedly very difficult to work with. People on set described her as having emotional outbursts and keeping to herself, which made it hard for everyone – from the production team to background actors – to interact with her. It’s believed she was going through personal struggles at the time, and this came across as hostility towards her colleagues. Director Steven Spielberg later confirmed it was a challenging experience working with her during that period.

Christina Aguilera

During her time as a judge on ‘The Voice’, Christina Aguilera reportedly asked for the set to be emptied whenever she took breaks. According to reports, she told staff and audience members not to look at or talk to her, which made them feel unwelcome and like they were intruding. Several sources said this behavior created an uncomfortable atmosphere for the background actors and crew during the show’s lengthy filming sessions.

Mariah Carey

The singer, now an actress, is known for having very particular requests in her contracts about how people on set treat her. During filming for ‘The House’, her brief appearance was removed because she was reportedly hours late and didn’t follow the script or the director’s instructions. Extras have said they were told to avoid eye contact with her while she was on set, or they might be fired. These demands frequently cause extra work for production staff and create problems for those managing the background actors.

Sharon Stone

Over the years, Sharon Stone has been accused of mistreating people working on her film sets, particularly crew members and background actors. During the filming of the Italian movie ‘A Golden Boy,’ reports surfaced that she would frequently disappear for long periods and wouldn’t communicate with the director or crew, leaving extras waiting without explanation. Some allege she ignores background actors, acting as if they aren’t even there, even when they’re sharing a scene with her. This behavior has reportedly made those actors feel unimportant and disrespected.

Gwyneth Paltrow

During the filming of ‘Iron Man 2’, Gwyneth Paltrow was said to be aloof and kept to herself, only engaging with those she considered her peers. Reports suggest she didn’t acknowledge her co-star Scarlett Johansson and avoided direct interaction with crew members, instead using assistants to communicate. She also reportedly asked background actors to avoid being seen by her, instructing them to stay out of her way. This created a tense atmosphere where extras felt uncomfortable and worried about accidentally bothering her.

Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty’s experiences on shows like ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ and ‘Charmed’ were often troubled by conflicts with those she worked with. Frequent arguments on set would often stop filming, causing delays for everyone involved, including background actors. According to extras who worked with her, the tense relationships between the main actors created a difficult work environment, and those in supporting roles often got caught up in the drama. Throughout the 1990s, she developed a reputation for being argumentative and difficult to work with.

Faye Dunaway

Faye Dunaway is well-known for her passionate performances, but also for a reputation of being difficult to work with. Stories abound of her outbursts and intimidating behavior on set, with crew members and extras reportedly frightened by her. While some tales, like the one about her throwing a cup of urine at someone, may be exaggerated, it’s clear she created a tense atmosphere, leaving background actors anxious and careful around her.

January Jones

During her time playing Betty Draper on ‘Mad Men’, January Jones was said to be distant and difficult to get along with for her co-stars. Jared Gilmore, who played her son on the show, shared that she wasn’t very friendly, and he was even cautioned by others to avoid her. This coldness wasn’t limited to the main cast; background actors also noticed a tense atmosphere when the cameras weren’t filming. This lack of warmth created an uncomfortable and strained work environment for those playing smaller roles.

Cybill Shepherd

The making of ‘Moonlighting’ was famously troubled by a major conflict between Cybill Shepherd and her co-star, Bruce Willis, as well as disagreements with the production crew. This often led to significant delays, leaving extras waiting for hours. Those working on set at the time have described a dismissive atmosphere where the needs of crew and background actors were ignored as Shepherd and Willis fought for creative control. A disorganized schedule and lack of consideration for the time of supporting staff were constant sources of frustration.

Madonna

During the filming of ‘W.E.’, Madonna reportedly insisted that no one on set – not even background actors – make eye contact with her. She was known for being very demanding, expecting everything to be perfect and maintaining complete silence. There were reports that extras were scolded or asked to move away if they accidentally spoke or looked at her. This pursuit of perfection often felt intimidating, creating a tense atmosphere for the background performers.

Taylor Momsen

While working on ‘Gossip Girl’, Taylor Momsen reportedly had a reputation for being difficult. Crew members claimed she often spent time on her phone during filming, didn’t pay attention to directions, and caused delays that meant extras had to redo scenes repeatedly. Ultimately, her character was removed from the show, in part because her behavior was disrupting the production schedule. The extended filming hours caused by these issues were especially hard on background actors.

Megan Fox

People who worked on the ‘Transformers’ movies published an open letter supporting director Michael Bay and criticizing actress Megan Fox for how she acted on set. They said she was often unpleasant and impolite, and didn’t show appreciation for the efforts of the crew and extras. The letter suggested she wasn’t a team player and created distance between herself and the people who helped make her scenes possible. This public statement revealed the tension that existed between the actress and the hardworking crew.

Ariana Grande

During her time on the Nickelodeon show ‘Sam & Cat’, rumors spread that Ariana Grande became harder to work with as her music career gained momentum. Some reports claimed she asked staff to carry her when she didn’t want to walk and didn’t seem to respect the show’s schedule. People working behind the scenes, like extras and crew members, said her behavior changed, creating a strained atmosphere before the show was canceled. Those who had known her before she became famous felt uncomfortable with what they described as her demanding attitude.

Ellen DeGeneres

While known as the host, Ellen DeGeneres’ show often treated audience members and staff like extras in a production. In 2020, serious accusations surfaced about a harsh work environment, with reports that staff were told not to make eye contact with DeGeneres. Former employees described a workplace filled with fear, where managers bullied their teams, and DeGeneres was criticized for either ignoring or contributing to the negative atmosphere. This scandal damaged her reputation for promoting kindness, revealing a contrast between how she presented herself publicly and how her staff were actually treated.

Mischa Barton

When ‘The O.C.’ was hugely popular, Mischa Barton was considered a rising star, but stories circulated that she was challenging to work with. People on set said she frequently arrived late and was often in a bad mood, which slowed down filming and meant extras had to wait for long hours. This behavior created distance between Barton and the rest of the crew and background actors, and the resulting tension is believed to have contributed to her leaving the show.

Teri Hatcher

During filming of ‘Desperate Housewives’, Teri Hatcher was noticeably left out by her co-stars – they didn’t include her in cast gifts or social activities, suggesting a significant breakdown in their relationships. People working on the show, including crew and extras, said Hatcher seemed aloof and kept to herself during breaks. She reportedly made a clear effort to avoid interacting with others on set, physically distancing herself from the cast and crew. This created a tense and uncomfortable environment for everyone involved in the production.

Share your own experiences or tell us which story shocked you the most in the comments.

2025-11-29 04:20