Sylvester Stallone Accused of Disparaging Extras on ‘Tulsa King’

Sylvester Stallone is accused of creating a “toxic environment” on the Atlanta set of the Paramount+ drama series “Tulsa King” by making disparaging comments about background actors, among other things.

Rose Locke, casting director of ‘Tulsa King’, has reportedly left the series. A representative for Stallone did not immediately respond to request for comment.

“Tulsa King,” created by “Yellowstone” superstar showrunner Taylor Sheridan, is currently filming its second season in Atlanta. Season one of “Tulsa King,” which premiered in November 2022, was filmed in Oklahoma, where the show is set. Paramount+ is said to be aware of the allegations.

The allegations against Stallone that sparked debate among background actors were amplified on social media by TV writer Julie Benson (“Star Trek: Prodigy”). On April 8 Benson posted two screenshots on Casting agent quit because she was so disgusted. My boyfriend is now worried about his job.@TheSlyStallone What do you have to say, sir? I’m more than disappointed, I’m furious.”

The screenshots include a Facebook post with a vague username, detailing the claim that Stallone told the show’s director: “What the F*** is happening with these F********* ugly background”, which identifies the extras in a scene. It went on to say: “He and the director called certain people terrible names and made fun of them,” giving details. And then Sly said, “Bring pretty young girls near me.”

The Facebook post stated that Locke, who has a long list of credits as a casting director for extras, has resigned from the show and that the background actors “must all stand together” to “show this production that we do not support.” this kind of disrespect in GA.”

The other screenshot contained what appeared to be an email message from Locke, in which she wrote that she had gone to the set after being “informed about certain things.” Locke did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Variety.

“I ultimately resigned because it was a clearly toxic environment in which I did not feel comfortable with myself or background artists,” Locke wrote. She then apologized to the email recipients and added her phone number to ask for information about anything people had experienced or “saw or heard.” I will send the information to HR.” (Variety does not integrate the tweet because of Locke’s phone number.)

Rose Locke Casting’s Facebook page directs visitors to the Facebook page of CL Casting, which describes itself as an Atlanta-based background casting company. A message on that company page, dated April 7, reads: “We wanted to send you an update on the happenings here in our casting world. We have chosen to say goodbye to Tulsa King. We’ll finish the job next week and the 12th is our last day. We send good wishes to whoever takes over the show. We thank all of you, wonderful background artists, for your continued support.”

The note is signed “Love You Mean It, Rose, Bailey, Chicago, Patrick and Robb.”