Rebecca Ferguson recently revealed new details about her difficult experience with an unnamed costar who screamed at her on set, confirming that others who worked with this actor also had negative encounters. The Dune star shared her story in an October 2024 interview with The Times, shedding light on the challenges she faced while standing up to a top-billed colleague.
This account comes more than a year after Ferguson first spoke publicly about the incident, which she described as a turning point in how she advocates for herself amid the pressures of the entertainment industry.
Rebecca Ferguson Details Toxic Behavior from Top Billed Costar
Rebecca Ferguson opened up about a distressing on-set clash with a costar she labeled as an “absolute idiot” who screamed at her during filming. She described how this person’s insecurity and frustration with their own performance led to a tense confrontation that left her feeling vulnerable and isolated.
She recounted the incident on the February 2024 episode of the “Reign With Josh Smith” podcast, explaining that because the actor was the number one name on the call sheet, she had no protection or support from producers or other crew members.
Ferguson shared,
“This human being was being so insecure and angry because this person couldn’t get the scenes out. And I think I was so vulnerable and uncomfortable that I got screamed at.”
She added,
“But because this person was number one on a call sheet, there was no safety net for me. So no one had my back.”
Explaining the cruel moment that drove her away in tears, she recalled,
“As I was crying off set, the person looked at me in front of the entire crew and said, ‘You call yourself an actor. This is what I have to work with. What is this?’”
Standing Her Ground Despite Industry Pressure
Despite the initial fear, Ferguson refused to back down the following day. She confronted the costar firmly, saying, “You get off my set,” and later recalled telling the person,
“You can eff off. I’m going to work toward a tennis ball. I never want to see you again.”
Producers intervened, insisting that the star must remain on set due to their billing, but Ferguson found a way to continue performing by acting away from the individual during scenes.
She remembered the producers saying,
“You can’t do this to number one. We have to let this person be on set.”
Ferguson responded,
“But the person can turn around and I can act to the back head,”
which she ultimately did.
Reflecting on her willingness to confront the situation, Ferguson acknowledged,
“I will shove someone under a bus in front of an entire crew to make a point. I don’t applaud my own behavior in that. It’s a really tricky world.”
Peers Support Rebecca’s Stand Against Bullying
Rebecca Ferguson confirmed that others who have worked with the problematic actor also experienced poor treatment. She said to The Times,
“Other people who have worked with this person also had a s–tty time.”
This public support aligns with commendations she received from former costars such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who applauded her courage to speak out against mistreatment.
Despite this solidarity, Ferguson revealed that the costar in question has not reached out to her afterward, and she does not mind if they are aware she was referring to them.
Challenges of Confronting Bullying in Acting
Ferguson reflected on the dynamics of bullying and insecurity within the entertainment industry, identifying a complex power imbalance. She said,
“We put a lot of blame on bullies and when we get older we can understand that people are insecure.”
She explained the difficulty of standing up for oneself in an environment where job security is uncertain:
“When you start standing up for yourself, it’s really tricky. They’ll fire you and give the job to someone else.”
Clarification on Who Was Not Involved
Last year, Ferguson clarified rumors by stating that her description did not apply to well-known past costars Tom Cruise, Ryan Reynolds, or Hugh Jackman. This helped narrow speculation about the identity of the individual involved in the conflict.
Other Notable Celebrity Conflicts and Reconciliations
The entertainment industry frequently faces headlines about public disputes, with many high-profile actors and musicians involved in ongoing or past feuds.
Tan France and Bobby Berk Address Their Personal Dispute
Bobby Berk spoke on the record in January 2024 to confirm rumors of tension with fellow Queer Eye star Tan France following Berk’s departure after eight seasons. He told Vanity Fair,
“I want people to know that Tan and I—we will be fine,”
clarifying the issue was personal and unrelated to the show.
Tan France later responded to claims he tried to replace Bobby with his friend Jeremiah Brent, stating on Instagram,
“Netflix and the production companies did a full-on casting. I didn’t put my friend up for the job. They ended up getting it because they were the best person for the job. But I didn’t get them hired by getting rid of somebody else.”
Longstanding Tensions Between Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano
Years of reports have surrounded a feud between Charmed costars Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano. Holly Marie Combs alleged on a 2023 podcast episode that Milano pressured a producer to choose between her and Doherty, leading to Doherty’s exit in 2001.
Milano denied having the power to influence the show’s casting, calling such stories “revisionist history” in a February 2024 Instagram statement, while Doherty insisted,
“There is no revisionist history happening in the truth that I know we told.”
Doherty passed away in July 2024 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Sharon Osbourne Labels Ashton Kutcher as Rude
In a candid moment on E! News in September 2023, Sharon Osbourne described That ’70s Show star Ashton Kutcher as
“the rudest celebrity she had ever met,”
calling him a
“rude, rude, rude, rude little boy”
and a “dastardly little thing.”
Five years earlier, she recalled an incident where Kutcher displayed attitude after she mispronounced his name on The Talk, recalling her warning him,
“Kid, don’t start with me, because I’m gonna eat you up and s–t you out.”
Kutcher has not publicly responded to the remarks.
Maren Morris and Cassadee Pope’s Exchange with Brittany Aldean
In August 2022, country singers Maren Morris and Cassadee Pope engaged in a public dispute with Brittany Aldean after Aldean posted an Instagram Reel stating,
“I’d really like to thank my parents for not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase. I love this girly life.”
This sparked backlash and a heated dialogue within the country music community.
JoJo Siwa and Candace Cameron Bure’s Complicated Interaction
JoJo Siwa described actress Candace Cameron Bure as “rudest” during a 2022 TikTok challenge, referencing a moment when Bure declined to take a photo with her on the red carpet. Bure later apologized, saying,
“I kind of broke your 11-year-old heart. I didn’t take a picture with you. Ugh! I feel crummy, I feel—JoJo, I’m so sorry.”
The two reconciled, but tensions resurfaced when Cameron Bure, chief creative officer of Great American Family, stated the network would keep “traditional marriage at the core,” rejecting same-sex couples as leads in holiday movies. Siwa, who came out in 2021, called those comments
“rude and hurtful to a whole community of people.”
Courtney Love and Olivia Rodrigo Clash Over Artistic Influence
In June 2021, Courtney Love accused Olivia Rodrigo of copying the album cover art of her band Hole for a promotional photo without giving credit. Rodrigo responded with a message of respect,
“Love u and live through this sooooo much,”
to which Love jokingly replied,
“Olivia – you’re welcome. My favorite florist is in Notting Hill, London! Dm me for deets! I look forward to reading your note.”
Henry Winkler Reveals Fallout with Tom Hanks on ‘Turner & Hooch’ Set
During a “Watch What Happens Live” episode, Henry Winkler discussed his strained relationship with Tom Hanks while directing parts of the 1989 film Turner & Hooch. Winkler recalled being abruptly removed from directing duties after 13 days, with the producer telling him to “Go home.”
Despite difficulties with Hanks, Winkler shared fondness for Hanks’ canine co-star, noting,
“I got along great, great with that dog. Love that dog.”
He declined to confirm if he has even watched the movie.
Heidi Montag and Lauren Conrad’s Long-Running Feud
The Hills fans remember the heated feud sparked when Heidi Montag dated Spencer Pratt, which escalated when Lauren Conrad accused the couple of spreading a false rumor about her making a sex tape. This conflict became one of the show’s most memorable storylines.
Dwayne Johnson and Tyrese Gibson’s Public Conflict
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Tyrese Gibson reignited their feud after Fast & Furious 9’s release was delayed and a spinoff film announcement cast further tension. Tyrese threatened to quit the franchise if Johnson remained involved.
On The Red Pill podcast, Tyrese admitted he has not spoken directly with Johnson but had a conversation with his producing partner. He said,
“I found myself being the messenger on behalf of various people associated to the franchise, but stupid me was the only one who went public about those feelings, which is my own fault. It’s not professional, it’s not cool.”
Taylor Swift and Katy Perry’s Feud Comes to an End
The yearslong tension between Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, believed to inspire Swift’s song “Bad Blood,” officially ended when Perry sent Swift a literal olive branch before the Reputation Tour kickoff in 2018. Swift captured the moment in an Instagram video, saying,
“So I just got to my dressing room and found this actual olive branch. This means so much.”
The caption read simply, “Thank you Katy.”
Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker’s Strained Relationship
Sex and the City co-stars Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker denied being friends for years, with Cattrall openly stating they were just colleagues. Parker expressed heartache over the comments during a 2017 interview, explaining,
“I found it really upsetting because that’s not the way I recall our experience.”
She added that their shared years on the series created a bond that she hoped would overshadow recent remarks. Despite not filming scenes together in the spinoff series And Just Like That…, Cattrall made a brief appearance.
Madonna and Elton John’s Longstanding Rivalry
Madonna and Elton John have had a decades-long feud, notably marked by Elton John’s controversial 2004 Q Awards speech, where he dismissed Madonna’s live singing abilities as lip-syncing. He stated,
“Madonna, best f–king live act? F–k off! Since when has lip-syncing been live? Sorry about that, but I think everyone who lip-syncs in public on stage, when you pay like 75 quid to see them, should be shot.”
Shonda Rhimes and Katherine Heigl’s Creative Clash
Katherine Heigl sparked controversy by pulling her name from Emmy consideration in 2008, claiming she wasn’t given strong enough material. Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy, reflected on Heigl’s decision during a 2012 Oprah Winfrey interview, saying,
“On some level it stung and on some level I was not surprised. When people show you who they are, believe them.”
Nicki Minaj and Cardi B’s Viral New York Fashion Week Altercation
The infamous fight between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B at New York Fashion Week sparked months of public back-and-forth. Cardi explained to W magazine that Nicki had taken repeated shots at her despite attempts to reconcile.
She revealed,
“For a while now she’s been taking a lot of shots at me. I spoke to her twice before, and we came to an understanding. But she kept it going.”
The tension escalated after Cardi saw Nicki allegedly like and then unlike a tweet questioning Cardi’s parenting.
Cardi defended herself passionately,
“I was going to make millions off my Bruno Mars tour, and I sacrificed that to stay with my daughter. I love my daughter. I’m a good-ass f–king mom. So for somebody that don’t have a child to like that comment?”
Kanye West and Taylor Swift’s Interrupted Friendship
The contentious history between Kanye West and Taylor Swift traces back to the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards when West interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech. Although they reconciled in later years, their friendship ended abruptly in 2026 following the release of West’s song “Famous,” which referenced Swift.
In February 2025, Kanye updated his Instagram to follow only Taylor without further comment; Swift did not respond publicly.
Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez’s Lingering Disdain
Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez’s feud has persisted for over 15 years, beginning when Carey was asked about Lopez in an interview and replied coldly, “I don’t know her.” The terse dismissal has become a defining moment in the ongoing tension between the two singers.
Rebecca Ferguson’s Story Reflects Broader Industry Issues
Rebecca Ferguson’s experience underscores the challenges faced by actors navigating power imbalances and toxic behavior on set, emphasizing the difficulty of standing up against bullying within the high-stakes environment of film and television production.
Her courage in publicly recounting the incident and calling out the behavior has drawn support from peers and shines a light on the need for greater protections and accountability on sets. As conversations about workplace culture continue to evolve, such stories may lead to stronger advocacy and structural changes to safeguard vulnerable artists in the industry.
