Actor Bella Thorne has publicly shared her negative experience working alongside Mickey Rourke on the set of the 2020 film Girl, alleging inappropriate and uncomfortable behaviour. Thorne's statements follow news reports of Rourke receiving a warning on the reality show Celebrity Big Brother UK for directing homophobic comments to JoJo Siwa, his fellow housemate.
Reacting to the news, Thorne took to Instagram, labeling Rourke as "GROSS". She described a specific incident during filming: "I had to work with this man in a scene where I’m on my knees with my hands zip tied around my back. He’s supposed to take a metal grinder to my knee cap and instead he used it on my genitals thru my jeans. Hitting them over and over again." Thorne stated this alleged action resulted in bruises on her pelvic bone and characterised working with Rourke as "one of the all time worst experiences of my life working" in the capacity of an actor.
In a subsequent Instagram Story message, Thorne recounted further alleged incidents. She claimed, "So many gross stories of things he made me go thru on that movie, including in his last scene to speed up and rev his engine so he could cover me completely in dirt. [I don’t know] I guess he thought it was funny to humiliate me in front of the entire crew."
Thorne also described difficulties in communicating with Rourke, stating, "Having to go in his trailer absolutely alone because he refused to speak to the director or producers — so I had to convince him to show up and complete his job, as he shouted crazy demands that he wanted from producers." She went on to add, "In fact, I had to beg. Alone. In his trailer. Since the movie could not be finished without him. Everyone’s work would’ve just been lost and completely for nothing. I didn’t wanna do it. I was uncomfortable, but I did what I was asked to do…"
A Chad Faust directorial, Girl features Bella Thorne as a youngster who goes back to her native town to confront her abusive father. Mickey Rourke portrayed Sheriff in the film, which also starred Chad Faust, Lanette Ware, Glen Gould, and Elizabeth Saunders.
In response to Thorne's allegations, a representative for Rourke issued a statement to Deadline: "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. 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." It further added, "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. We extend our support to all professionals who deserve to feel safe and respected in their workplace."
As stated above, Rourke is now a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother UK. The show recently reprimanded him for a homophobic comment and making remarks about fellow housemate Siwa. Following the warning, Rourke told Big Brother in the Diary Room, "I apologise. I don’t have dishonorable intentions – I’m just talking smack you know. I wasn’t taking it all so serious. I didn’t mean it in any bad intentions and if I did, sorry."
Rourke subsequently apologised directly to Siwa after leaving the Diary Room, saying, "I want to apologise. I’ve got a habit of having a short fuse. And I don’t mean nothing by it. I do mean it [sorry]. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t say it to you."