20 Actresses Who Bullied Extras Off the Set

Hollywood productions are high-pressure environments where tensions often run high, but some stars allegedly take their stress out on the most vulnerable people on set. Background actors and crew members frequently share stories of being ignored, mistreated, or even fired for minor infractions involving leading ladies. While many actresses are known for their kindness and professionalism, others have developed reputations for creating hostile work environments. The following list explores twenty actresses who have faced accusations of bullying extras and crew members during filming.

Lea Michele

The former star of ‘Glee’ faced a wave of backlash after co-star Samantha Marie Ware accused her of making life on set a living hell. Ware alleged that Michele utilized microaggressions and threatened to defecate in her wig, creating a toxic atmosphere for background actors and supporting cast. Other background actors subsequently came forward with stories of Michele referring to them as cockroaches and refusing to share space with them. These allegations suggest a pattern of behavior where the actress used her power to demean those with less authority on the production.

Jennifer Lopez

Rumors have circulated for years that this multi-hyphenate star enforces a strict rule prohibiting background actors and service staff from making eye contact with her. On the set of ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’, reports surfaced that she refused to speak directly to extras, relaying instructions only through her personal assistants. Industry insiders claim that violating this no-gaze policy can result in immediate dismissal from the set. This behavior reportedly creates an anxious environment where background talent fears losing their daily wages for a simple glance.

Lindsay Lohan

During her guest appearance on ‘Glee’, Lohan reportedly became a nightmare for the production staff and background actors. Sources claimed she arrived hours late to the set, forcing hundreds of extras to wait in holding areas without updates or compensation for the extended time. Her alleged lack of preparation and professionalism caused significant delays that frustrated the entire crew. Reports indicated that her behavior was so disruptive that many background actors felt disrespected and undervalued throughout the shoot.

Katherine Heigl

Known for her roles in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Knocked Up’, Heigl earned a reputation in the industry for being difficult to please and openly critical of production conditions. Crew members have alleged that she would frequently complain about wardrobe choices and craft services, creating a tense atmosphere for everyone nearby. While her grievances were often directed at producers, the negativity reportedly trickled down to extras who felt the brunt of the hostile mood. This reputation for onset volatility contributed to a temporary decline in her casting opportunities.

Julia Roberts

During the filming of ‘Hook’, Roberts earned the nickname “Tinkerhell” from the crew due to her reportedly difficult behavior. Reports from the set detailed emotional outbursts and isolation that made interacting with her a challenge for the production staff and background talent. It was alleged that she was struggling personally at the time, which manifested as hostility toward those working around her. The tension was so palpable that director Steven Spielberg later admitted in interviews that it was a difficult time to work with her.

Christina Aguilera

While filming her stint as a judge on ‘The Voice’, Aguilera allegedly demanded that the set be cleared of unnecessary personnel during her breaks. Reports surfaced that she instructed staff and background audience members to avoid looking at her or speaking to her. This created a cold environment where people felt like intruders rather than employees contributing to the show. Several sources claimed her “diva” antics made the long shooting days uncomfortable for the background talent filling the seats.

Mariah Carey

The singer-turned-actress reportedly has specific contractual stipulations regarding how extras and crew interact with her. On the set of the film ‘The House’, her cameo was eventually cut after she allegedly arrived hours late and refused to follow the script or direction. Background actors have claimed that on various projects, they were instructed to look away when she passed by or risk being removed from the set. Her demands often require production assistants to scramble, creating chaos for the background coordinators.

Sharon Stone

Stone has faced numerous accusations over the years regarding her treatment of crew and background talent. On the set of the Italian film ‘A Golden Boy’, reports emerged that she would vanish for hours and refuse to speak to the director or crew, leaving extras standing around indefinitely. Allegations suggest she treats background actors as invisible, refusing to acknowledge their presence even during shared scenes. This aloofness often results in a dehumanizing experience for those hired to populate the scenes behind her.

Gwyneth Paltrow

On the set of ‘Iron Man 2’, Paltrow reportedly maintained a cold distance from anyone she did not consider her equal. Sources claimed she ignored co-star Scarlett Johansson and refused to speak to staff members directly, preferring to communicate through intermediaries. This behavior extended to background actors, who were allegedly instructed to stay out of her eyeline and path at all times. The atmosphere created by this separation often leaves extras feeling unwelcome and anxious about accidentally crossing her path.

Shannen Doherty

Doherty’s time on ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ and ‘Charmed’ was marred by reports of intense friction with co-stars and crew. On-set fights often halted production, leaving background actors waiting for hours while grievances were aired. Stories from extras suggest that the toxicity between leads made the set an uncomfortable place to work, with background talent often caught in the crossfire of frayed tempers. Her reputation for being confrontational became a defining aspect of her career during the 90s.

Faye Dunaway

Legendary for her intensity, Dunaway has been accused of volatile behavior that terrified crew members and extras. During various productions, stories have circulated about her throwing objects or screaming at people who broke her concentration. One infamous allegation involves her throwing a cup of urine at a crew member, though this has become more of a Hollywood urban legend. Regardless of the specifics, the fear she instilled in background actors kept them walking on eggshells whenever she was on set.

January Jones

While playing Betty Draper on ‘Mad Men’, Jones was reportedly cold and unapproachable to her fellow cast members. Jared Gilmore, the child actor who played her son, publicly stated that she was not nice to be around and that he was warned to stay away from her. This icy demeanor reportedly extended to the background actors, who felt the tension whenever cameras weren’t rolling. The lack of camaraderie created a stiff and unfriendly work environment for those in the background.

Cybill Shepherd

During the filming of ‘Moonlighting’, Shepherd’s feud with co-star Bruce Willis and the production team became legendary. Delays caused by on-set arguments frequently kept extras holding for hours beyond their scheduled call times. Reports from the era describe an environment where crew and background actors were treated with indifference as the main stars battled for control. The chaotic schedule and lack of respect for the time of the lower-level employees were constant complaints.

Madonna

When directing her film ‘W.E.’, Madonna allegedly banned the crew and background actors from making eye contact with her. Reports surfaced that she was incredibly demanding, expecting perfection and silence from everyone on set. Extras who whispered or looked in her direction were reportedly reprimanded or asked to leave the area. Her perfectionist approach often crossed the line into intimidation, making the set a high-stress zone for background talent.

Taylor Momsen

During her time on ‘Gossip Girl’, Momsen was accused of being unreliable and rude to the production staff. Sources claimed she would spend her time on set on her phone, ignoring cues and directions, which forced extras to repeat scenes multiple times. Her character was eventually written out of the show, partly due to reports of her unprofessional behavior affecting the schedule. Background actors found the long hours caused by her lack of focus to be particularly grueling.

Megan Fox

Crew members on the ‘Transformers’ franchise wrote an open letter defending director Michael Bay and criticizing Fox for her on-set behavior. They described her as ungracious and rude, alleging she never acknowledged the hard work of the crew or background actors. The letter painted a picture of an actress who was uninterested in the collaborative nature of filmmaking, alienating those around her. This public calling-out highlighted the friction between the star and the workforce that supported her performance.

Ariana Grande

While working on Nickelodeon’s ‘Sam & Cat’, rumors circulated that Grande became increasingly difficult to work with as her music career took off. Reports alleged that she demanded to be carried by staff when she didn’t feel like walking and was dismissive of the production schedule. Background actors and crew members reportedly felt the shift in her attitude, leading to a tense environment before the show’s cancellation. Her alleged diva behavior made the set uncomfortable for those who had known her before her rise to mega-stardom.

Ellen DeGeneres

Although primarily a host, the set of ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ utilized audience members and staff in ways similar to background actors. In 2020, allegations exploded regarding a toxic workplace where staff were instructed not to look DeGeneres in the eye. Former employees described a culture of fear where leadership bullied subordinates, and DeGeneres was accused of turning a blind eye or contributing to the coldness. The scandal shattered her “be kind” persona and highlighted the disparity between her public image and the treatment of workers.

Mischa Barton

During the height of ‘The O.C.’, Barton was labeled an “it girl,” but reports from the set suggested she was difficult to work with. Insiders claimed she was often late and moody, which caused production delays that kept extras on set for excessive hours. Her aloofness toward the crew and background talent contributed to a divide between the cast and the workers. The stressful environment reportedly played a role in her departure from the hit series.

Teri Hatcher

On the set of ‘Desperate Housewives’, Hatcher was famously excluded from cast gifts and bonding moments by her co-stars, signaling deep rifts. Production staff and extras reportedly found her to be the most distant of the leads, often isolating herself between takes. Stories circulated that she would physically distance herself from the rest of the production, making it clear she did not wish to interact with crew or background talent. This isolation created an awkward atmosphere that permeated the entire production lot.

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