Actress Reese Witherspoon has filed a lawsuit against the 'Star' magazine for publishing a story saying she is pregnant with her third child. The story ran in the June 26 issues of the 'Star.'
Witherspoon is suing the tabloid and its parent company American Media for Violation of Common Law Right of Publicity and Invasion of Privacy. The suit also names two writers, Maggie Harbour and Suzy McCoppin.
The papers were filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and indicate that 'Witherspoon is not pregnant, does not have a 'baby bump' and has not otherwise gained weight such that she has had to resort to wearing 'Empire-waist dresses,' 'baggy clothing,' or an 'old-fashioned 1920's bathing suit.''
According to Witherspoon's court papers, the tabloid claimed that the actress 'has two movies coming up and she just doesn't want to break the news to producers just yet.' Witherspoon says that these claims are 'equally false.'
Witherspoon's lawyers called the idea that she lied to producers 'very damaging to her because it claims that she has withheld and concealed from producers of her two upcoming films, information that would be of vital importance and interest to the producers since her being pregnant bears directly on what her physical condition and appearance will be during the remainder of the year and would affect her ability to perform everything required of her in connection with the upcoming films.'
The story in the 'Star' quotes an unnamed source saying, 'She was wearing what looked like an old-fashioned 1920s-style bathing suit that covered her tummy. But you could still see the outline of what appeared to be at least a four-month baby bump.'
Witherspoon is seeking unspecified damages against the 'Star' including any profits the magazine receives from using her likeness. She is also seeking punitive damages.
