In response to a lawsuit filed by former “Days of our Lives” actress Arianne Zucker early Wednesday at the Superior Court of the state of California, wherein she alleges claims of sexual harassment and retaliation, the show’s producer Corday Productions, Inc. and former co-executive producer Albert Alarr have formally issued statements on the matter.
According to a spokesperson for Corday Productions, “The allegations in Ms. Zucker’s lawsuit are without merit. Corday Productions offered to renew Ms. Zucker’s contract including offering her a pay increase. Rejecting Ms. Zucker’s counteroffer does not constitute retaliation.” The show’s statement further noted, “Complaints about Mr. Alarr’s on-set behavior were promptly investigated. Corday Productions fully cooperated with the impartial investigation and subsequently terminated Mr. Alarr.”
Howard Wise/JPI Studios
As for Alarr, his attorney, Robert M. Barta, released a statement to TMZ, saying, “As Albert said when Ms. Zucker first leveled these outrageous claims through the press last year, her baseless allegations were examined in a detailed and entirely independent investigation that lasted for two months. Dozens of individuals cooperated and every claim was thoroughly looked into. At the end of that process, the decision was made that Albert should continue in his role as Co-Executive Producer of ‘Days of our Lives.’
“As Ms. Zucker’s own lawsuit all but admits, at a time of industry-wide cutbacks, she was aggressively seeking a significant personal pay increase and additional influence on the show. Having failed in those attempts, she is now – again – trying to exploit vile stereotypes to denigrate and demean a Black man who was in a position of power.”
In addition to Corday Productions, Inc. and Albert Alarr, “Days of our Lives” executive producer Ken Corday is himself also named as a defendant in Zucker’s lawsuit.
In her complaint for damages, which also includes a demand for a jury trial, Zucker’s lawsuit outlines the following:
- Discrimination in Violation of Statute (California Government Code § 12490, et. seq.)
- Harassment in Violation of Statute (California Government Code § 12490, et. seq.)
- Retaliation in Violation of Statute (California Government Code § 12490, et. seq.)
- Failure to Prevent Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation in Violation of Statute (California Government Code § 12490, et. seq.)
- Violation of California Labor Code § 1102.5
- Violation of California Labor Code § 1197.5
- Negligent Hiring, Supervision and Retention
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
- Wrongful Termination In Violation of Public Policy
- Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
- Violation of California Business & Professions Code § 17200, et. seq.
Zucker’s contract with Corday Productions, wherein she’s played the role of Nicole Walker DiMera on and off “Days of our Lives” since 1998, expired last month, four months after she alleges she entered into contract negotiations with the production company. She alleges she was given a “take it or leave it” offer. Without a new deal in place, she was effectively without a job.
You can read Zucker’s full complaint by clicking here.