Sony Wins Bid to Dismiss Victoria Rowell's 'Y&R' Racial Discrimination Lawsuit

Sony Pictures Television and CBS have won their bid to dismiss Victoria Rowell’s lawsuit against them after her allegations that she was systematically discriminated against during her time on the “Young and the Restless.”

In documents obtained by TheWrap Wednesday, California District Judge John A. Kronstadt dismissed six causes of action against Sony with leave to amend.

“Plaintiff’s first and second causes of action for failure to rehire on ‘Y&R’ are dismissed, with leave to amend, if Plaintiff can do so in good faith and in conformance with the analysis in this Order,” the judge told Rowell.

Also Read: Victoria Rowell Claims She Was Spit on, Suffered 'Racially Charged Attacks' in 'Y&R' Legal Feud

Rowell was a vocal advocate in trying to increase the number of African Americans who appeared on the show as well as behind the scenes. But she claimed that those who fought for greater diversity in Hollywood were frequently punished.

“The level of retaliation in entertainment is profound – it’s terrorism,” she told TheWrap earlier this year. “When you think of not being allowed to work in your art form as a writer, a director, because you speak out.”

Rowell filed the lawsuit back in February alleging that the producers of “Y&R: refused to rehire her for that show or “The Bold and the Beautiful.” The actress had left “Y&R” in 2007 after 17 seasons claiming she had suffered years of racial discrimination, harassment and resistance from CBS bosses to increase diversity on the daytime soap.

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CBS hit back in a statement to the TheWrap saying the suit had “no merit and that they were going to “vigorously defend” the case. They moved to dismiss Rowell’s lawsuit contending, among other things, that her demands violate the First Amendment.

Rowell played Drucilla Winters from 1990 to 2007 and appeared in more than 2000 episodes.

Hollywood's Most Outrageous Lawsuits (Photos)

Between Lindsay Lohan firing back at Fox News, Mariah Carey allegedly short changing her domestic help, and Sly Stone winning millions after suing his ex-manager -- stars often turn to the courts to address their squabbles and strife.
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A former nanny for Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon filed a lawsuit on Jan. 28, 2015, alleging she was fired after showing the couple's kids too much affection and did not receive overtime pay despite working 100 hours per week.
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Legendary funk artist Sly Stone won $5 million on Jan. 27, 2015, after suing his former manager and entertainment attorney for misappropriating royalties owed him for more than 20 years.
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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West filed suit against YouTube founder Chad Hurley on Oct. 31, 2013, claiming he posted a video of the couple’s surprise engagement to his website without permission. The process was delayed when Hurley’s reps filed an anti-SLAPP motion in an attempt to have the case dismissed.
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Jahmel Binion filed a lawsuit against Shaquille O’Neal in July 2014 when O’Neal posted a photo to his Instagram account mocking Binion, who suffers from a rare condition that causes facial abnormalities, sparse hair and missing teeth. Binion claimed defamation, emotional distress and invasion of privacy in the $25,000 lawsuit, and after pressure from the public O’Neal apologized.
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In 2014 singer Chris Brown was mentioned in a lawsuit filed by the cousin of artist Frank Ocean. The defendant claimed Brown and an associate allegedly kicked and punched him when he confronted them about parking in a spot designated for Ocean at a Los Angeles recording studio. Ocean, who was also injured, later said he wouldn't seek criminal or civil penalties.
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From embezzlement to slander, there’s no shortage of celebrity court action

Between Lindsay Lohan firing back at Fox News, Mariah Carey allegedly short changing her domestic help, and Sly Stone winning millions after suing his ex-manager -- stars often turn to the courts to address their squabbles and strife.

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Hollywood's Most Outrageous Lawsuits (Photos)

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