Entertainment

Deal Reached in Suit Alleging James Franco Sexual Misconduct

Published

5 years ago

February 22, 2021

FILE - This Sept. 5, 2019 file photo shows James Franco at the premiere of HBO's "The Deuce" third and final season in New York. A settlement deal has been reached in a lawsuit that alleged James Franco intimidated students at an acting and film school he founded into exploitative sexual situations. A filing in Los Angeles Superior Court said a settlement had been reached in the class-action suit brought by former students at the now-defunct Studio 4. The document was filed on Feb. 11, but has not previously been reported. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A tentative settlement has been reached in a lawsuit that alleged James Franco intimidated students at an acting and film school he founded into gratuitous and exploitative sexual situations, attorneys for the plaintiffs said Saturday.

The two sides filed a joint status report in Los Angeles Superior Court telling a judge a settlement had been reached in the class-action lawsuit brought by former students at the now-defunct school, Studio 4, though elements of the lawsuit may live on.

The document was filed on Feb. 11, but the settlement has not previously been reported.

Actresses and ex-students Sarah Tither-Kaplan and Toni Gaal, who first filed the lawsuit in 2019, have agreed to drop their individual claims under the agreement, according to the court filing. Their lawsuit said Franco pushed his students into performing in increasingly explicit sex scenes on camera in an “orgy type setting” that went far beyond those acceptable on Hollywood film sets.

It alleged that Franco “sought to create a pipeline of young women who were subjected to his personal and professional sexual exploitation in the name of education,” and that students were led to believe roles in Franco’s films would be available to those who went along.

The lawsuit said the incidents occurred in a master class on sex scenes that Franco taught at Studio 4, which opened in 2014 and closed in 2017.

The two sides had been in discussions on a settlement for several months, and the lawsuit’s progress had been paused while they talked.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys from the firm of Valli Kane & Vagnini, LLP, confirmed the agreement in a statement to The Associated Press on Saturday night, adding that it will be “further memorialized in a Joint Stipulation of Settlement to be filed with the Court at a later date,” but giving no further comment or details.

After-hours emails seeking comment from attorneys for the defendants were not immediately returned.

In a previous court filing, Franco’s attorneys, while praising the #MeToo movement that helped inspire the lawsuit, called its claims “false and inflammatory, legally baseless and brought as a class action with the obvious goal of grabbing as much publicity as possible for attention-hungry Plaintiffs.” They pointed out that Tither-Kaplan had previously expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with Franco.

The lawsuit also names Franco’s production company Rabbit Bandini and his partners including Vince Jolivette and Jay Davis as defendants.

The sexual exploitation allegations of other plaintiffs in the class action will be dismissed without prejudice, meaning they may be re-filed, the joint status report said.

Fraud allegations brought by those plaintiffs will be “subjected to limited release,” the document says, without further details or explanation.

The document does not reveal how much money may be involved in the deal.

Before filing the lawsuit, Tither-Kaplan aired her allegations of sexual misconduct against Franco along with other women in the Los Angeles Times after Franco won a Golden Globe Award for “The Disaster Artist” in early 2018, when the wave of the #MeToo movement was sweeping across Hollywood.

In a subsequent interview on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Franco called the sexual misconduct stories about him inaccurate, but said, “If I’ve done something wrong, I will fix it. I have to.”

Franco, 42, best known for starring in comedies with Seth Rogen, has generally kept a low-profile since the allegations arose in what had been a highly productive period that culminated in the acclaimed “Disaster Artist.”

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Central Florida News

Three-Time Grammy Winner Miranda Lambert Performs for 100,000 Fans at Daytona 500

Published

2 days ago

February 15, 2026

Willie David

Country Music Star Miranda Lambert Performs Live Ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Photos by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Miranda Lambert delivered a high-energy pre-race concert Sunday ahead of the 68th running of the Daytona 500, performing for a crowd of more than 100,000 fans at Daytona International Speedway.

The three-time Grammy Award winner took the stage before the green flag, setting the tone for NASCAR’s most prestigious event with a performance that blended country hits and fan favorites.

Country Music Star Miranda Lambert Performs Live Ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

Star Power on NASCAR’s Biggest Stage

Speedway President Frank Kelleher said Lambert’s presence elevated the atmosphere surrounding the race.

“To have this level of talent with an artist such as Miranda Lambert performing our pre-race concert adds an incredible amount of energy for the 68th running of the DAYTONA 500,” Kelleher said.

The pre-race concert has become a signature part of the Daytona 500 experience, drawing major national recording artists each year.

Country Music Star Miranda Lambert Performs Live Ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

Continuing a Tradition of Big-Name Performers

Lambert joins a lineup of recent headliners who have performed at the annual event, including Pitbull in 2024, Dierks Bentley in 2023 and Florida Georgia Line in 2016.

The performances add entertainment value to a race weekend already known for its pageantry, celebrity appearances and patriotic tributes.

Country Music Star Miranda Lambert Performs Live Ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News

A Crowd of More Than 100,000

With grandstands packed and the infield buzzing, Lambert’s concert energized fans before drivers took to the 2.5-mile superspeedway for “The Great American Race.”

The Daytona 500 remains NASCAR’s premier event, combining elite competition with large-scale entertainment — and Lambert’s performance underscored the spectacle that defines race day in Daytona Beach.

Entertainment

WATCH: FNN News Podcast en Español, Tuesdays at 6:30pm EST

Published

1 month ago

January 8, 2026

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Tuesdays at 6:30 PM, Florida National News’ Spanish-language platform, FNN News Podcast en Español, kicks off 2026 with powerful conversations on the issues that matter most to our Spanish-speaking communities in Florida and beyond.

Hosted by Monica Hoyos, Javier Garcia, Maria del Carmen Rodriguez, and Rosarito Jordan, the podcast dives into today’s hottest topics—news, politics, community issues, culture, business, and stories that impact our everyday lives.

This podcast is more than a show—it’s a community forum. Our mission is to inform, empower, and elevate Latino voices, creating a trusted space where perspectives are heard, questions are asked, and solutions are explored together.

We want to hear from you.

Community leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, creatives, and everyday changemakers are invited to join the conversation and be a guest on the show. Your voice matters, and your story can inspire others.

Expect more in 2026—more dialogue, more representation, deeper conversations, and a stronger connection to the communities we serve.

– FNN News Podcast en Español

– Tuesdays | 6:30 PM

– Your voice. Your community. Your news.

FNN SPAINSH

Los martes a las 6:30 p. m., la plataforma en español de Florida National News, FNN News Podcast en Español, da inicio al 2026 con conversaciones poderosas sobre los temas que más importan a nuestras comunidades hispanohablantes en Florida y más allá.

Conducido por Mónica Hoyos, Javier García, María del Carmen Rodríguez y Rosarito Jordan, el podcast aborda los temas más relevantes del momento, incluyendo noticias, política, asuntos comunitarios, cultura, negocios y las historias que impactan nuestra vida diaria.

Este podcast es más que un programa: es un foro comunitario. Nuestra misión es informar, empoderar y elevar las voces latinas, creando un espacio confiable donde se escuchan las perspectivas, se plantean preguntas y se construyen soluciones en conjunto.

Queremos escucharte.

Líderes comunitarios, empresarios, defensores, creativos y agentes de cambio están invitados a sumarse a la conversación y ser invitados especiales del programa. Tu voz importa y tu historia puede inspirar a otros.

Espera más en este 2026: más diálogo, más representación, conversaciones más profundas y una conexión más fuerte con las comunidades a las que servimos.

– FNN News Podcast en Español

– Martes | 6:30 p. m.

– Tu voz. Tu comunidad. Tus noticias.

Central Florida News

“Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” Brings Diversity and Magic to Orlando’s Holiday Stage

Published

3 months ago

November 6, 2025

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN ARTS & CULTURE) – Orlando Community Arts, Inc. proudly presents “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker,” an original adaptation of the classic Nutcracker story written by Beverly Page, published author and executive producer. This vibrant holiday production brings the magic of the season to life while celebrating the cultural diversity that defines Central Florida.

Audiences are invited to join Clare on a magical journey through her enchanting dream, traveling alongside the Chocolate Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy around the world — from Africa and Asia to the Caribbean, India, and beyond — before reaching the dazzling Kingdom of Toys.

Described as soulful, bold, colorful, exciting, lively, and delightful, “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” offers an unforgettable holiday experience for the entire family — filled with music, dance, and cultural storytelling that capture the heart of the season.

About Steglich Ross and Associates

Steglich Ross and Associates, based in Apopka, Florida, are premier experts in crafting and executing large-scale events that elevate brands and inspire audiences. The firm specializes in festival planning, marketing strategy, brand development, and creative web design, offering personalized solutions that help clients connect with their communities in meaningful ways.