Ex-Stripper Who Inspired J. Lo's 'Hustlers' Role Sues For $40 Million

Jennifer Lopez's critically-acclaimed Hustlers did not please the real-life Romana, who inspired the actress' character.

As per a new report from PEOPLE, Samantha Barbash filed a federal lawsuit against Lopez's production company Nuyorican Productions, STX Entertainment, Gloria Sanchez Productions and Pole Sisters LLC for $40 million. Based on court documents obtained by the celebrity gossip outlet, Barbash said that the stripper drama "exploited" her likeness and character for the role of Ramona.

Additionally, Barbash claimed that the film's producers attempted to “obtain a consent and waiver from Ms. Barbash for the production of the film and their ultimate portrayal” of her. More specifically, she alleged that the film defames her by portraying Ramona "using and manufacturing illegal substances in her home where she lived with her child." She is seeking $20 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages.

As you know, Hustlers was inspired by a true story, which was examined in a 2015 New York Magazine article called The Hustles at Scores. The article detailed Big Apple strippers who drugged wealthy clients in order to use their credit cards. Barbash and Roselyn "Rosie" Keo (who inspired Constance Wu's character Destiny) — were charged with two counts of conspiracy, four counts of grand larceny, two counts of assault and three counts of forgery. They both received five years probation.

Photo: Getty Images


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