Exclusive: RadicalMedia has been sued by a production coordinator who alleges that she experienced racial discrimination on the company’s upcoming Earth, Wind & Fire documentary.
Jhanelle Elissa was employed for 11 days on the Questlove-directed film in April 2024 and, in a complaint filed at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, claimed to have been “harassed and discriminated against” on the basis of her race. Other defendants are Leroy & Morton Productions and Karla Zambrano, RadicalMedia’s head of production.
Elissa’s main complaint concerned being required to perform “stand-in” work on set, which she argued was because of the color of her skin. The production coordinator said she and her two assistants were used as substitutes for actors and talent to assist with lighting and camera setups. Elissa’s complaint said they performed this function for long hours and in “freezing cold temperatures,” and that no non-Black crew members were required...
Jhanelle Elissa was employed for 11 days on the Questlove-directed film in April 2024 and, in a complaint filed at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, claimed to have been “harassed and discriminated against” on the basis of her race. Other defendants are Leroy & Morton Productions and Karla Zambrano, RadicalMedia’s head of production.
Elissa’s main complaint concerned being required to perform “stand-in” work on set, which she argued was because of the color of her skin. The production coordinator said she and her two assistants were used as substitutes for actors and talent to assist with lighting and camera setups. Elissa’s complaint said they performed this function for long hours and in “freezing cold temperatures,” and that no non-Black crew members were required...
- 4/30/2025
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
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