Actress Bella Thorne has recently spoken up about a disturbing experience she had while working with actor Mickey Rourke. The 72-year-old had already been at the center of controversy following his removal from Big Brother UK due to repeated offensive remarks and inappropriate behavior.
In response to Rourke’s homophobic remarks towards fellow housemate JoJo Siwa, Thorne took to Instagram to share her own unsettling experience working with him.
While she does not name the project, the two worked together in 2022 on the set of the thriller film Girl.
Sharing a photo of Rourke on her Instagram story, Thorne wrote: “This f***ing dude. GROSS.”
She then described a scene where the Shake it Up star was on her knees with her hands tied while Rourke’s character was supposed to bring a metal grinder to her knee cap.
However, she alleged that he uses the grinder on her lower body through the actress’ jeans, bruising her pelvic area.
“I had bruises on my pelvic bone,” she said.
Thorne recalled the scene as “one of the all-time worst experiences” of her life working as an actress.
In a follow-up story, she continued with her experience, “So many gross stories of things he made me go through on that movie, including in his last scene to speed up and rev his engine so he could cover me completely in dirt,” she wrote.
“I guess he thought it was funny to humiliate me in front of the entire crew.”
She also recalled his misconduct towards the team on set, “having to go in his trailer absolutely alone because he refused to speak to the director or producers.”
“I had to convince him to show up and complete his job, as he shouted crazy demands that he wanted from the producers. In fact I had to beg. Alone. In his trailer,” she shared.
The Time is Up actress explained how he was a crucial part of the film hence it could not have been made without him.
So even though she “didn’t wanna do it” she did “what was best for the movie.”
Although Rourke did not address the allegations personally, his representative made the following statement:
“We are aware of the deeply troubling statements made by Bella Thorne regarding her experience on set with Mr. Rourke during the production of a past film.”
Rourke denied his participation in any intentional misconduct.
“These allegations are extremely serious. Mr. Rourke adamantly denies any intentional misconduct.
He has not been contacted previously with any claims of this nature and was unaware of any discomfort expressed by Ms. Thorne at the time,” said his representative.
“Out of respect for all parties involved and in light of the gravity of the claims, Mr. Rourke will refrain from commenting further at this time. He is prepared to cooperate fully with any appropriate inquiry.”
The statement concluded, “we extend our support to all professionals who deserve to feel safe and respected in their workplace.”
Thorne’s allegations and Rourke’s subsequent response came shortly after the “9 ½ Weeks” star was removed from ITV’s Big Brother UK.
Initially, he was given a warning after making homophobic remarks towards housemate JoJo Siwa. Although he apologized, he later proceeded to make further inappropriate comments about housemate Ellie Wish.
The final straw was a heated argument with housemate and Love Island star Chris Hughes, after which Rourke was asked to leave the show.
