ARIANNE ZUCKER SETTLES LAWSUIT ALLEGING INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT AND TOXIC WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT
TL;DR: Former Days of Our Lives actress Arianne Zucker has reached a settlement in her lawsuit against the show’s producers, in which she alleged inappropriate conduct and a toxic work environment. Zucker portrayed Nicole Walker for 25 years before her 2023 departure. Settlement terms remain confidential.
The Settlement
Arianne Zucker, who portrayed fan-favorite character Nicole Walker from 1998 to 2023, has reached a settlement in her lawsuit against Days of Our Lives producers. Her attorneys filed court papers Thursday with Judge Kristin Escalante notifying her of the resolution. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Zucker, now 51, named as defendants co-executive producers Albert Alarr and Ken Corday, as well as Corday Productions Inc. The lawsuit was filed in February 2024.
The Allegations
In her lawsuit, Zucker alleged that from the onset of Alarr‘s employment, he “repeatedly subjected plaintiff and other employees to severe and pervasive harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment, based upon their female gender.”
The suit stated that Alarr would tightly hug Zucker and push the top of her chest into his while saying “Oh Ari.” The complaint also alleged that Alarr would place his hands on Zucker‘s waist with his thumbs positioned just below her waist and move her around while “smirking and grinning in a sexual manner,” leaving the actress feeling “extremely uncomfortable and violated.”
Additionally, Zucker alleged that Alarr laughed at another actress’s inappropriate comments about Jewish people on the show, knowing that Zucker was Jewish. The lawsuit also claimed that Corday paid female actresses less than male actors for substantially similar work.
According to the suit, many prominent actresses who worked under Alarr spoke publicly about his alleged misconduct for years, but their complaints to Corday were reportedly ignored.
The Defense’s Response
In their court papers, lawyers for Corday and Corday Productions Inc. denied Zucker‘s allegations and stated that any actions taken concerning the actress were “done or undertaken in good faith, in accordance with business necessity, for legitimate, non-pretextual business reasons.”
Alarr‘s attorneys also denied Zucker‘s allegations in their court filings and argued that she was not entitled to the relief she sought due to “fraud and/or misrepresentation, whether intentional or negligent perpetrated by plaintiff and/or her agent.”
Zucker’s Legacy on DAYS
Zucker‘s portrayal of Nicole Walker spanned 25 years and made her one of the most recognizable faces on Days of Our Lives. Her character’s storylines included complex relationships, dramatic turns, and emotional depth that resonated with the show’s loyal fanbase.
According to My L.A. News, the settlement brings closure to a case that highlighted ongoing concerns about workplace conduct in the entertainment industry. With the terms remaining confidential, both parties can now move forward from the legal proceedings.
