Rebel Wilson brands Sacha Baron Cohen an 'asshole'

But Brit denies her claims about his conduct

Sacha Baron Cohen has hit back following Rebel Wilson’s claims that he was a ‘massive asshole’ to work with.

Wilson today named the Borat star as the big name she previously said had tried to block the publication of her upcoming memoir Rebel Rising.

In one post she had said the unnamed ‘asshole is trying to threaten me. He’s hired a crisis PR manager and lawyers. He’s trying to stop press coming out about my new book. But the book WILL come out and you will all know the truth.’

And earlier today she outed Baron Cohen. She said on Instagram: ‘I will not be bullied or silenced with high priced lawyer or PR crisis managers. The "asshole" that I am talking about in ONE CHAPTER of my book is Sacha Baron Cohen.’

The pair worked together on the 2016 comedy film The Brothers Grimsby, and even in publicity rounds for that release she alleged Baron Cohen pressured her into appearing naked.

In one interview she said: ‘They wanted full-frontal nudity. We write in the contract, specifically, "No nudity".

‘They got in another girl – this larger burlesque dancer from South Africa – to be a nude double. And they got her to do all this stuff. Sacha would go, "See, she looks good". I’m like, I’m not doing it. I don’t care what you say.’

She told another interviewer that while shooting one scene Baron Cohen asked her to ‘stick your finger up my butt’.

When Wilson pointed out that it wasn’t in the script, she claimed he said: ‘Look, I’ll just pull down my pants, you just stick your finger up my butt, it’ll be a really funny bit.’

In response to the allegations, Baron Cohen’s spokesperson has now issued a statement to the media.

It said: ‘While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence, including contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of The Brothers Grimsby.’

Rebel Rising is due out next week and is described as a 'revealing and authentic memoir' in twhich she 'chronicles the emotional and physical lessons she has learned, as well as her most embarrassing experiences'.

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Published: 25 Mar 2024