Olivia Munn reveals a compelling anecdote about her principled stance against silence in the face of adversity, recounting an instance where she turned down a seven-figure sum to keep quiet about a harrowing experience on a movie set. In a poignant conversation with Monica Lewinsky on the latest episode of her podcast, "Reclaiming," the versatile actress known for her roles in "New Girl" and "The Newsroom," shared this deeply personal story.
Although Munn refrained from disclosing specific details or naming the film involved, she did mention that the incident occurred at the dawn of the #MeToo movement, roughly around 2017. "On this particular movie set, I endured situations that were deeply unacceptable and so traumatic that I had no choice but to lodge formal complaints with the studio," she narrated. "It escalated to a point where I was offered an exorbitant amount of money – a sum reaching into seven figures – in exchange for accepting their apology, contingent upon signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)."
"Honestly, I had no intention of ever discussing it, as I merely wanted to move on," she continued. "That's why I prefer not to dwell on the exact events of that harrowing experience. But I stood my ground, refusing to sign the NDA. They insisted it was a necessity, and I found it profoundly wrong. It was the nascent stage of #MeToo and Time's Up, when individuals who signed NDAs were scrutinized and labeled as doing so solely for financial gain. I feared that signing would undermine any credibility to my story and that the studio might exploit the NDA's existence, leaked strategically to silence me further."
Munn recounted how her lawyer advised her to take time to consider her decision, yet she asserted her resolve, choosing to inform the opposing legal team personally. "Someone told me, 'That's a fortune; you'd be insane not to take it,'" she reminisced. "I responded, 'I understand it's a substantial sum to you, but it's not enough for me to forfeit my voice.' As we left, I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of pride."
With a chuckle, she added an unexpected twist: "Ironically, shortly thereafter, California outlawed NDAs in such scenarios," meaning her refusal would have rendered the deal unenforceable had she accepted it.
While Munn emphasized that she harbors no regrets, she acknowledged, "It's not that I would have arrived at a different conclusion; it's that my decision was fueled by anger. It's something I've learned to manage and harness for my advantage, teaching myself to deliberate carefully and communicate openly."
Munn has been a vocal advocate against misconduct on film sets. In 2017, she was among six women who accused director Brett Ratner of sexual harassment, specifically alleging he masturbated in her presence during a set visit for his 2004 film "After the Sunset." Additionally, during the filming of "Predators" in 2018, she approached 20th Century Fox regarding her requirement to act alongside a registered sex offender who was a long-standing friend of director Shane Black.
