J-Lo’s new film Hustlers has been met with critical acclaim and plenty of Oscar buzz, but behind the scenes, not everything is as peachy as it seems.
According to TMZ, Samantha Barbash – the real life stripper who inspired J-Lo’s character – is reportedly threatening legal action against Hustlers film studio STX entertainment, demanding they pay for using her “likeness, personality, biography and identity” in the film.
Apparently, Barbash “unequivocally rejected all offers to be included in the film,” and wants STX Entertainment to resolve “the flagrant violation of her rights.”
During a recent interview with TMZ, Barbash said, “they pretty much basically stole my story.”
“I wouldn’t sign my rights away…I wasn’t giving up my TV and film rights for peanuts. J-Lo doesn’t work for free. Why would I? I’m a businesswoman.”
Barbash said that J-Lo “didn’t even reach out the woman that she’s portraying.”
“I think that’s like a little, kind of degrading as an actress,” she said. “She basically defamed my character…Without J-Lo they wouldn’t have a movie honestly. There’s no storyline, it’s just Jennifer.” She also said she would have preferred Cardi B to play her in Hustlers.
In 2017, Barbash was sentenced to five years probation for being the ringleader of a group of strippers who drugged wealthy clients and racked up big bills on their credit cards.
In Hustlers, J-Lo plays Ramona, a stripper who partners up with other women in New York City to steal money and drug stock traders and CEOs who visit their club.
J-Lo is yet to respond to Barbash’s claims, but if they’re true, it seems strange that the actress wouldn’t have at least contacted the woman she portrayed in the film. Perhaps Lopez is too busy soaking up the accolades – since it’s release on September 13th, Hustlers has grossed $72 million worldwide.