The stripper who inspired Jennifer Lopez's character in Hustlers thinks she got hustled by the movie's producers.
Samantha Barbash is demanding that STX Entertainment pay up for using her likeness as well as her identity in connection with the film's promotion without her permission.
Last week, Barbash claimed J-Lo and the studio "pretty much basically stole my story." She added that Lopez "defamed my character" and that "I wouldn't sign my rights away... I wasn't giving up my TV and film rights for peanuts. J.Lo doesn't work for free. Why would I? I'm a businesswoman."
In a letter to STX, obtained by TMZ, Samantha's lawyer, Bruno Gioffre, reminded the studio that Barbash "unequivocally rejected all offers to be included in the film."
- Barbash has written a memoir called Underscore.
- Barbash got five years probation for masterminding a scheme to run up the credit cards of drunk and high clients.