Briana Thomas: Actress sues 'Young and Restless' producer Anthony Morina for sexual harassment
An actress has filed a lawsuit against Anthony Morina, the showrunner of the popular soap opera 'The Young and the Restless'. Briana Thomas claimed that Morina sexually harassed her by playing with the strings of her bikini on set and offering her "private acting lessons". Thomas was playing the role of a barista in the show's fictional Crimson Lights Coffeehouse.
As per the lawsuit which was filed on Thursday, August 19, 2021, in Los Angeles Superior Court against Morina, CBS Studios and Sony Pictures Television, Thomas alleged that she was sexually harassed from 2018 until February 22, 2019 (which was when she claimed she was "illegally terminated" because she refused Morina's advances).
READ MORE
Who is JC? Bob Dylan allegedly sexually abused girl, 12, in 1965 and fed her drugs, alcohol
Who is Mike Richards' wife? 'Jeopardy!' host frontrunner was sued for sexual harassment
According to the latest reports, Thomas claimed in the lawsuit that she was harassed from the moment she met Morina — he put his hands on her shoulders and stared at her breasts. "You've got a great look. You could really be something here," Morina allegedly told Thomas. He then allegedly leaned into her, putting his hands on her lower back while whispering that he could give her "a private acting lesson sometime". The lawsuit reads that Thomas was required to wear a bikini during one scene set at a poolside bar, but was allowed to wear a mesh sarong over it at all times. Morina allegedly saw her walking to set with a robe over the swimsuit and pulled it open. While "leering" at her body, he said, "So, you're in a bikini today. Nice."
Reports reveal that Morina then allegedly tried to get a stage manager to get her to remove the sarong, but the manager allegedly told Morina that he wouldn't make her do that. Later on after the shoot, Morina approached Thomas and told her she "would've looked a hell of a lot better" without the sarong before telling her she needed to "loosen up" if she wanted a bigger part on the show. "It's a tough industry to break into, unless you know someone who can help you," he allegedly told Thomas while playing with the string on her bikini bottoms. "Let's start with a private session and see if we can get you a little more comfortable."
According to the lawsuit, roughly a week later, Morina allegedly asked Thomas if she was flexible and if she could put her legs behind her head because he said he would want to see that sometime.
Who is Briana Thomas?
Apart from her work in 'The Young and the Restless', Thomas has worked in 'Love Sonia', '90210', '10 Things I Hate About You', 'Camp Virginovich' and 'Real Rob'. Thomas was not the only victim of Morina; she claims that other women on set were also subject to inappropriate comments from Morina. He allegedly said one black actress with short hair had "a hot body" but that it was "too bad her head looked like a chia pet".
The lawsuit also writes that some women were allegedly subjected to comments that they needed breast implants. However, Morina said Thomas didn't need them because her breasts "looked pretty good". Thomas additionally claims in the lawsuit that she rebuffed Morina numerous times but that he started to "retaliate" when she started to take a firmer stance. "I'm the reason why you have a job. I am doing you a favor. I like you. Do you understand what I am saying?" Morina allegedly yelled at Thomas in front of other staff and coworkers. As per the latest reports, he and the producers of 'The Young and the Restless' have yet to comment on the allegations against Morina.