Former Child Star Raquel Lee Sues the Walt Disney Company Over Alleged On-Set Sexual Abuse

Former child star Raquel Lee Bolleau has come forward to sue The Walt Disney Company, alleging that she was sexually assaulted by a Disney employee multiple times while filming the 2001 Disney Channel movie The Poof Point when she was 14.

Boulleau filed the civil negligence lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court on 21 August, in which she claims that the company failed to protect her and investigate signs of her abuse.

Furthermore, the 39-year-old actress is alleging that an unnamed middle-aged male Disney employee was giving her alcohol before sexually assaulting her several times at a hotel in Salt Lake City and later on a flight back to California.

Boulleau also stated that the production company separated her from her guardian, which failed to provide her with adequate supervision. She added that adults allegedly witnessed troubling behaviour but did not intervene.

'No One at Disney Intervened'

The former child star alleges that the unnamed employee was involved in the production and was reportedly encouraged by the studio's personnel to spend time with Bolleau for them to 'bond' with each other.

Boulleau claims in her complaint that this order created opportunities for the alleged abuse to take place away from appropriate adult supervision. However, when on set, the employee would also make inappropriate remarks to Boulleau, the complainant claims.

She cited an instance where the accused would whisper comments about their encounters while other personnel were nearby. Boulleau further claimed that no one working at Disney intervened despite the misconduct occurring in front of them.

The lawsuit also stated how the then-14-year-old's performance and overall behaviour noticeably changed when the abuse was happening behind the scenes. According to the complaint, adults noticed her unwell and intoxicated appearance.

Rather than investigating what was happening, however, Boulleau alleges that Disney executives blamed her for the deterioration in her performance, describing her as 'out of control.' Her behaviour ultimately cancelled another planned role with the studio.

Boulleau also stated that her 'intoxicated' appearance when the abuse began was 'a stark difference from the dedicated, studious and diligent child actress who had joined the movie.'

Apart from the current lawsuit that stemmed from her time in the movie The Poof Point, Bouellau also appeared in the 2024 documentary series Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV, which also featured prominent child stars, like Drake Bell from Drake and Josh.

There, she discussed her experiences as a young performer on Nickelodeon's The Amanda Show.

What Raquel's Lawsuit Seeks

Bolleau is seeking damages for alleged economic losses and emotional distress, as well as punitive damages, legal fees, and other costs. However, a total amount has not been specified as of date.

The complainant's attorneys, Douglas Wigdor and Jane Kim, shared in a statement that the entertainment industry must hold people accountable when children are allegedly subjected to abuse.

'Over the last decade, countless child actors have come forward,' the duo said, elaborating that conduct involving the abuse of young performers is 'inexcusable.' Bolleau's lawyers also echoed her statements regarding those who didn't investigate her relationship with the unnamed employee, stating that those involved 'directly or indirectly' should be held accountable.

At the time of writing, Disney has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.