Jeremy Renner is facing new accusations of misconduct from his filmmaking partner Yi Zhou, who alleges he threatened to report her to immigration enforcement following conflicts over his behavior. These claims include sending unsolicited explicit images and displaying violent anger during professional encounters. The actor has responded through his representative, denying all accusations as false. The unfolding controversy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Jeremy Renner misconduct allegations.
Yi Zhou Details Serious Misconduct Accusations Against Renner
Yi Zhou, who worked with Renner on projects such as the unofficial Disney documentary Chronicles of Disney and the AI-animated film Stardust Future, publicly shared allegations on Instagram describing troubling conduct by the actor. According to Zhou, Renner initiated contact in June 2025 with unsolicited explicit photos and videos via WhatsApp, a method he reportedly used before with others. Despite this start, the pair began a romantic relationship and collaborated professionally.
Zhou described an alarming episode during a meeting at Renner’s home in Reno, Nevada, about the documentary’s logistics. In an interview with the Daily Mail, she stated,
I was discussing about the doc logistics, then he drank a bottle of wine alone and got angry and angry yelling for two hours,
Zhou said.
I had to lock myself in a room to be safe, praying he would not come into the room at night, as he was really angry. I did not say a word, I was so scared for my life.
This incident caused significant fear and distress for Zhou.
Further details include Zhou’s claims of a subsequent smear campaign against her and her films after Renner allegedly declined to promote their joint efforts publicly. She indicated that despite agreements allowing Renner’s image and content to be used by her company Into the Sun Films, he retreated from supporting the projects. Zhou also alleged misinformation spread via fan accounts that falsely accused her documentary of being AI-generated, denying her professional collaboration with Renner.
The conflict escalated during a private confrontation when Zhou confronted Renner about his behavior. She revealed,
When I called him out privately about his past misconduct and asked him to behave properly, to respect me as a woman and as a filmmaker, he threatened to call immigration/ICE on me, an act that deeply shocked and frightened me. Such behavior is unacceptable and emblematic of the imbalance of power that continues to harm women in our industry.
History of Allegations Adds Context to Current Accusations
Zhou provided further evidence to the Daily Mail, sharing screenshots of text exchanges where she criticized Renner for sending inappropriate images through apps. Renner allegedly responded with a veiled threat involving immigration authorities, but did not complete his message. Zhou’s accusations add to a larger pattern of troubling behavior linked to Renner.
In 2019, Renner’s ex-wife Sonni Pacheco accused him of abusive conduct during their custody dispute over their daughter. The couple, married in 2014 but separated within a year, were embroiled in allegations including Renner’s drug use around their child and threats of violence toward both himself and Pacheco. The actor strongly denied these accusations, dismissing them as “clickbait.”
Ending her series of public statements, Zhou expressed a broader concern, saying,
I speak up today not only for myself but for every woman who might find herself in a similar situation still today, silenced, intimidated, or afraid to lose work/opportunities for telling the truth. If we don’t reveal what’s behind the curtain, can there ever truly be justice in this industry or in this world?
Renner’s Role in Mayor of Kingstown and Ongoing Public Attention
Renner, currently known for his lead role in the series Mayor of Kingstown, is at the center of this controversy while maintaining a public presence through this project. The series features cast members including Hugh Dillon as Ian Ferguson and Mike McLusky, alongside Renner. The allegations and Renner’s response have generated considerable public scrutiny, especially involving those familiar with the show and his recent work.
The ongoing developments are being followed closely by media outlets such as Collider. As the situation develops, the industry and audiences will watch for further responses or investigations. This case highlights broader issues regarding power dynamics and accountability within Hollywood and beyond.
