The sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation lawsuit filed by former “Days of our Lives” cast member Arianne Zucker (ex-Nicole Walker) has been settled, though the terms were not disclosed.
Named in the lawsuit were Corday Productions, Inc., which produces the daytime drama series, former executive producer Albert Alarr, and executive producer Ken Corday.
First filed in February 2024, the lawsuit alleged Zucker was “subjected to nonconsensual sexual touching and sexually harassing comments during Alarr’s employment — claiming Alarr would frequently pull her close to his chest and make sexual moans while doing so.”
Additionally, while filming, “Alarr would make sexually suggestive remarks” and allegedly tell male “costars filming sex scenes with her that he would ‘love to switch positions’ with them.” Further, Alarr allegedly “made it clear he enjoyed aggressive sex scenes.”
According to the Los Angeles Times, which first reported news of the settlement, the filing date was Thursday, October 9, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, with no further details about the settlement provided. Meanwhile, Alarr’s attorney denied the allegations brought against their client and said Alarr settled solely to “end the dispute and move forward.”
“She stood up for herself and others in an industry where speaking out about harassment often comes at great personal cost,” said Zucker’s attorney, Anahita Sedaghatfar, in a statement. “She is pleased that the matter has been resolved and hopes her courage helps drive accountability and lasting change within the entertainment industry.”
Zucker was one of the only contract cast members to informally speak out in the summer of 2023 when allegations against Alarr became public, which eventually led to the producer’s firing. In line with a report by Deadline, Zucker noted in her lawsuit that Alarr’s behavior had become “well-known to other producers … claiming multiple women went to Corday Production Inc. over the years but the company allegedly did nothing.”
After meeting with the show’s co-producer, Sony Pictures Television and its HR department between March 2023 and June 2023, wherein an investigation had been underway with several cast members and employees called in to discuss allegations brought against Alarr, Zucker’s lawsuit noted Alarr was allowed to continue in his role as the show’s then co-executive producer, something which left Zucker feeling “violated and intimidated.”
By August 2023, Alarr had been fired and Janet Drucker replaced him as the show’s co-executive producer, a move Zucker claimed was a move to “save face” after the allegations became public. By October 2023, Zucker’s suit claims she attempted to negotiate a new contract with Corday Productions in “good faith.” The production company allegedly gave her a “take it or leave it” offer, which Zucker didn’t accept. By January 2024, Zucker’s contract had expired without a new deal being made, leaving the actress effectively without a job.
While declining comment to the Times, Corday Productions previously released a statement to the outlet, saying Zucker’s claims were “without merit” and that the actress was offered an increase in pay while being given an offer to renew her contract. Further, at the time complaints surfaced about Alarr’s alleged on-set behavior, the company “promptly investigated” and “fully cooperated with the impartial investigation and subsequently terminated Mr. Alarr.”
Zucker’s lawsuit included claims of “harassment, discrimination, retaliation, negligent hiring and supervision, and wrongful termination,” among others. She had been seeking unspecified damages.
