Actress and filmmaker Bella Thorne has come forward with disturbing allegations against her former co-star Mickey Rourke, claiming that the veteran actor subjected her to physical and emotional abuse during the production of a film they worked on together. The accusations stem from their time filming the 2020 thriller Girl, though Thorne did not explicitly name the movie in her public statement.
Thorne opened up about the experience on social media on Friday, shortly after Rourke sparked backlash for making homophobic comments toward singer and fellow Celebrity Big Brother UK contestant JoJo Siwa. Thorne posted a photo of Rourke on her Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts, accompanied by a caption expressing her disgust: “This f***ing dude. GROSS.”
In a detailed post, Thorne described what she says was one of the worst experiences of her career. She claimed the incident took place during a scene where she was on her knees with her hands zip-tied behind her back. According to the actress, Rourke was instructed to use a metal grinder near her knee as part of a scene. Instead, she says, he repeatedly used the tool on her genitals—over her jeans—resulting in physical injury.
“I had to work with this man — in a scene where I’m on my knees with my hands zip-tied behind my back,” Thorne wrote. “He was supposed to take a metal grinder to my kneecap, but instead, he used it on my genitals through my jeans, hitting them over and over again. I had bruises on my pelvic bone.”
She continued by recounting several other troubling incidents that occurred during the same production. One particularly humiliating moment, she said, came during Rourke’s final scene. As he drove off, he allegedly revved his car engine and intentionally covered her in dirt in front of the entire cast and crew. Thorne said she believed he did it to humiliate her.
“So many gross stories of things he made me go through on that movie,” she wrote. “Including in his last scene, where he sped up and revved his engine to cover me completely in dirt. I guess he thought it was funny to humiliate me in front of the entire crew.”
Thorne also said she was put in a vulnerable and uncomfortable position behind the scenes. According to her, Rourke refused to communicate with the film’s director or producers, insisting that she be the one to approach him privately in his trailer. Thorne said she was sent alone to convince Rourke to participate in the film’s scenes, a task she found distressing.
“Having to go into his trailer absolutely alone because he refused to speak to the director or producers—I had to convince him to show up and complete his job, as he shouted crazy demands to the producers. In fact, I had to beg. Alone. In his trailer.”
The actress did not immediately identify the film in her posts, but both had worked together on the 2020 independent action-thriller Girl, which starred Thorne in the lead role and featured Rourke in a supporting part.
Her public statement sparked immediate reactions across social media, with fans and fellow actors expressing support for Thorne and demanding accountability. Many were already critical of Rourke after his recent controversial behavior on Celebrity Big Brother UK, where he was formally warned by producers after making inappropriate remarks directed at JoJo Siwa, who is openly queer.
In response to Thorne’s accusations, Rourke’s representatives released a formal statement to The Hollywood Reporter. They acknowledged the seriousness of her claims but denied any deliberate wrongdoing on the actor’s part.
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
The statement added that Rourke would not comment further publicly due to the sensitive nature of the allegations but said he would cooperate fully if any official inquiry were to take place. “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.”
Thorne’s revelations are the latest in a series of high-profile discussions surrounding safety, consent, and abuse in Hollywood, especially involving women and younger performers. Her willingness to speak out echoes a broader movement within the entertainment industry aimed at exposing inappropriate behavior and creating safer environments on set.
Bella Thorne, who began her career as a child star on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up, has since evolved into a multifaceted entertainer, working as an actress, director, and producer. She has been vocal in the past about mistreatment in the industry and has used her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and empowerment for women.
The actress has not indicated whether she plans to pursue legal action or an official complaint regarding the incidents. However, her public statement has reopened discussions around how vulnerable actors—particularly women—can be left unprotected on sets, especially in low-budget or independent productions where oversight may be lacking.
Thorne’s supporters are now calling for a broader examination of what happened during the filming of Girl and whether other cast or crew members witnessed the alleged behavior. As of now, neither the production company behind Girl nor other crew members have issued statements regarding Thorne’s claims.
As the entertainment industry continues grappling with how to protect performers and hold individuals accountable for on-set misconduct, Bella Thorne’s story serves as a sobering reminder of the emotional and physical toll such experiences can leave behind.
