The Real-Life Stripper Who Inspired Jennifer Lopez’s “Hustlers” Character Is Threatening To Sue A Bitch

While I loved Hustlers, the scamming stripper movie based on a New York Magazine article, there’s one person who is not into it and never will be… at least until she gets her check. Samantha Barbash, the stripper herself who inspired the story and Jennifer Lopez’s character Ramona is threatening to sue for damages! I mean, I’d feel damaged too if people thought that I was supposed to look like JLo in Hustlers!

Like any Hollywood movie that is “based on real events,” I expect there to be some creative liberties taken and fictional drama added to spice things up. It’s a scripted movie, not a Netflix docu-series. Clearly there were some dramatic flourishes put into this tale of thievery, motherhood and fighting the power. But Samantha is not into it.

TMZ says that Samantha’s lawyers have let STX Entertainment, the company behind Hustlers, know that she wants to be paid for use of her likeness, personality, biography and identity in connection with the promotion of the film. But the thing is that earlier, Samantha told TMZ that JLo was nothing like her, ranting about how JLo didn’t perfect her mannerisms or anything. She said that she’s never stripped like that in her life and didn’t drug anyone. Samantha claimed she was particularly defamed during a scene where Ramona cooks drugs with her daughter in the apartment.

“My mannersims wasn’t like the way she played. Yes I’m a boss, but–and a leader but–that’s about it. I’m not cold-hearted.”

Someone on her legal team needs to tell her that suing for use of her “likeness” means you can tell that JLo is playing her specifically, so maybe she should chill on the interviews until after the check comes and clears.

Samantha’s lawyer, Bruno Gioffre, basically sent a letter to STX reminding them that Samantha “unequivocally rejected all offers to be included in the film,” and that this is a “flagrant violation of her rights,” and that they hope STX will “remedy” the situation. STX responded to the legal threat with a simple, “Try it, bitch!”

“We will defend our right to tell factually based stories based on the public record and look forward to resolving this matter before a judge.”

JLo’s stripping entrance gave me feelings, so shame on her for making me think this Samantha woman can turn me straight with some stripper pole moves. Lord, knows those 80s mob wife cataract sunglasses aren’t doing it. But I can’t wait for other Hollywood “real event” inspirations to sue as well. The ghosts from The Haunting In Connecticut have a lot to say.

Pic: YouTube