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Faizon Love, who starred in Vince Vaughn’s 2009 comedy “Couples Retreat,” is suing Universal Pictures for allegedly deleting the only black lead actors from a movie poster and failing to deliver on executives’ promises.
In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court Wednesday, Faizon Love accused Universal Pictures and the now defunct Relativity Media of contract breach, fraud and violation of California civil rights law.
Her image, as well as that of Kali Hawk, who played her partner in the film, was removed from posters promoting the film internationally, an example, she said, of what is known as whitewash. They were the only minority couple in the film. The promotional posters showed three other pairs, all white.
Faizon said he was suing now because Universal executives reneged on their promise to stop using the image and offer him other acting jobs as a way to remedy the offense. Universal Pictures declined to comment.
“Mr. Love has learned that Universal Studios’ intentional discrimination against him is emblematic of Universal Studios (and its affiliated companies) systemic fanaticism against its employees, black actors, screen talent and athletes,” we read in the complaint.
Love has launched her cause in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests around the world. He is one of the many artists of color who have been encouraged to share their experiences with racism in the entertainment industry, as studies have shown solidarity with the movement.
“The social justice issues raised this year have further galvanized my commitment to step into the fray and speak for myself and all black actors in bringing this lawsuit,” Love said in a statement to the Times.
Love began in Hollywood as a comic and has also appeared in TV movies including “Elf” and the ABC series “black-ish”
In “Couples Retreat” a couple plans a trip to a tropical island for a retreat to work on their relationship. With them, they bring with them three pairs of friends, including Shane and his girlfriend Trudy, played by Love and Hawk, all unaware that they will also be forced to undergo extravagant therapy sessions.
Love and Hawk used to appear on posters used in the United States, but they are furthest in the background.
The couple were also barred from the European media tour for the film, Love said.
The Times reported on the studio’s marketing move on the film at the time.
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