Actor Jeremy Renner categorically denies harassment allegations made by filmmaker Yi Zhou, whose public claims on Instagram triggered a cease-and-desist response from his legal team. Both parties now maintain contradictory accounts of their interactions. Zhou alleges unsolicited explicit content and threatening behavior; Renner’s attorney characterizes her claims as false and defamatory.[1][2][3]
The Timeline and Core Allegations
The dispute spans from June 2025 contact to November legal action, with competing narratives about relationship development and boundaries.
What Filmmaker Yi Zhou Alleges
Zhou, 37, posted allegations on November 3 via Instagram, claiming Renner sent unsolicited pornographic images starting in June. She alleges that during an August 20 meeting, Renner became intoxicated and exhibited aggressive behavior, forcing her to lock herself in a room. Zhou also claims Renner threatened immigration action and that other women contacted her with similar allegations.[2][3][4][5][1]
Zhou posted materials on Instagram she describes as evidence: photographs, text messages, emails, and video content. She additionally alleges Renner changed his profile picture and logged out of WhatsApp to deny involvement.[6][7]
How Jeremy Renner Responds to These Allegations
On November 8, 2025, Renner’s attorney, Marty Singer, issued a cease-and-desist letter describing Zhou’s account as “false, outrageous, and highly defamatory.” According to Singer, the July 12 encounter at a Reno, Nevada hotel involved only brief, consensual contact. He further asserted that when the two met again in August, Renner clearly declined any further advances and maintained professional boundaries throughout. [3][8][1]
Singer alleges Zhou sent “hundreds of unsolicited sexually explicit messages” and threatened to damage Renner’s reputation unless he promoted her projects and provided awards campaign support. A representative told Variety: “The allegations being made are totally inaccurate and untrue.”[9][1]
Bilateral Legal Actions and Evidence Posted
Zhou posted her own cease-and-desist letter on Instagram, demanding Renner stop “threatening, intimidating, and disrespectful conduct.” She claims she sent multiple cease-and-desist letters over the preceding month. To the Daily Beast, Zhou stated both documentary and animated film are “recorded same time and signed.”[10][11][12]
Journalist Josh Boswell reported on November 6 that at least one additional woman came forward sharing similar allegations.[4]
Collaborative Projects Affected by the Dispute
Two entertainment projects remain uncertain following allegations: Chronicles of Disney, an independent documentary exploring Disney’s cultural legacy featuring Renner alongside costume designer Mark Bridges and makeup artist Bill Corso; and Stardust Future: Stars and Scars, described as the first feature created entirely using artificial intelligence with Renner voicing a character.[13][14][15]
Both projects were scheduled for November 2025 release with Stardust Future revenue pledged to Renner’s Rennervation Foundation.[15][16]
Prior Allegations Against Renner from 2019
In 2019, Renner’s ex-wife Sonni Pacheco alleged during custody proceedings that Renner exhibited abusive behavior and substance abuse. Renner denied these allegations. In a July 2025 Guardian interview, Renner called them “lawyers talking” and characterized them as “clickbait.” He and Pacheco currently share joint custody of their daughter Ava.[17][18]
Current Status and Unresolved Questions
No criminal charges have been filed as of November 10, 2025. The matter remains a civil dispute with no court filings publicly announced. Other women’s identities remain private, and evidence authenticity has not been independently verified by journalists.[19][4][6]
