Bella Thorne isn’t holding back.
The actress took to social media to open up about her troubling time working with actor Mickey Rourke on the 2020 film Girl — and according to Bella, the experience was not only uncomfortable but left her physically and emotionally shaken.
Her post came just hours after Rourke made headlines for his controversial and homophobic comments toward fellow Celebrity Big Brother UK housemate JoJo Siwa. Thorne didn’t comment directly on what Rourke said inside the Big Brother house, but she made it clear she’s had enough — and she’s ready to share her own experience.
In a series of emotional and candid messages posted online, Bella described what it was like working with Rourke on set, including a disturbing moment during a physically intense scene.
“This f–king dude. GROSS> I had to work with this man – in a scene where I’m on my knees with my hands zip tied around my back. He’s supposed to take a metal grinder to my knee cap and instead he used it on my genitals thru my jeans. Hitting them over and over again. I had bruises on my pelvic bone. Working with Mickey was one of the all time worst experiences of my life working as an actress,” she wrote.
It didn’t stop there. Bella went on to describe a string of incidents during filming that she says left her humiliated and frustrated.
“So many gross stories of things he made me go thru on that movie, including in his last scene to speed up and rev his engine so he could cover me completely in dirt. Idk I guess he thought it was funny to humiliate me in front of the entire crew. Having to go in his trailer absolutely alone because he refused to speak to the director or producers – so I had to convince him to show up and complete his job, as he shouted crazy demands that he wanted from the producers. In fact I had to beg. Alone. In his trailer. 🤦 Since the movie could not be finished without him. Everyone’s work would’ve just been lost and completely for nothing. I didn’t wanna do it. I was uncomfortable, but I did what I was asked to do and what was best for the movie. Mickey should’ve never put anybody in that movie in any of those positions that he did,” she added.
Her message paints a picture of a young actress doing her best to hold a project together while navigating what sounds like a deeply unprofessional — and at times dangerous — environment. She said she felt backed into a corner, having to do what was necessary to ensure the movie could be completed, despite how uncomfortable and unsafe the situation had become.
Still, Bella was quick to separate Rourke’s actions from the rest of the team and took a moment to praise the crew and cast who gave their all to the project.
“Also side note: like f–k Mickey – how he acted doesn’t negate the incredible hard work that everybody else put into that movie. Everyone worked HARD literal blood, sweat, and tears to make that vision and I’m really proud of everyone and the work that was done on that movie.”
Rourke, who enjoyed a major career comeback with his Oscar-nominated role in The Wrestler back in 2008, went on to play the villain in Iron Man 2. But over the past decade, his work has largely consisted of straight-to-video and lesser-known indie projects. Despite his earlier acclaim, his reputation has been dogged by erratic behavior both on and off screen.
At the time of writing, Mickey Rourke has not responded publicly to Bella’s allegations.
