Jeremy Renner dismisses Yi Zhou’s harassment claims as false and misleading
Filmmaker Yi Zhou has accused actor Jeremy Renner of harassment and violent behavior, while Renner has denied all allegations. The two parties had recently collaborated on several film projects before the controversy surfaced.
Hollywood actor Jeremy Renner has strongly denied filmmaker Yi Zhou’s harassment allegations, calling them “completely false and untrue.” The ‘Hawkeye’ star broke his silence when Zhou began a series of posts on Instagram earlier this year detailing their brief professional and personal interactions, and tagging them with hashtags like “#CancelJeremyRenner.”
According to Zhou, her first contact with Renner was in June, when she alleged that he sent her “a series of unsolicited pornographic images” via direct messages and WhatsApp. She further claimed that he “tempted” her into believing that he really cared about her. Zhou also described an alleged meeting on August 20, during which she said Renner became “violent” after drinking alcohol, forcing her to lock herself in a room out of fear.
while talking to DiversityHowever, Renner’s rep flatly rejected the claims and said, “The allegations being made are completely false and untrue.” His legal team has not issued additional comments.
Zhou continued to post about her experience on Instagram, calling it an example of “the dark side of Hollywood” and claiming she was “destroyed by the set-up of smear campaigns.” He also said that he has received support from friends and colleagues within the industry.
Prior to the controversy, Renner and Zhou were reportedly collaborating on several projects, including ‘Chronicles of Disney’, a documentary directed by Zhou, and ‘Stardust Future: Stars and Scars’, an animated film with Renner as a voice actor.
As reported Diversity‘Stardust Future: Stars and Scars’ was slated for an awards-eligible theatrical release in November, with proceeds going to Renner’s charity, the Rennervation Foundation. Both Zhou and Renner have avoided public comment since the initial statements.
