Celebrity Justice
Reese Says 'I'm Not Pregnant' -- Sues Star Mag

TMZ has obtained a lawsuit filed by Reese Witherspoon claiming Star Magazine invaded her privacy by publishing a "fictional" story that the actress was pregnant.

In the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the Academy Award-winning actress claims the magazine published a false story that she was pregnant "in a callous effort to boost the tabloid's sagging sales."

"Contrary to the fabricated Cover Story," the lawsuit says, "the true facts are that [Reese] is not pregnant, does not have a 'baby bump' and has not otherwise gained weight such that she has had to resort to wearing 'Empire-waist dresses,' 'baggy clothing,' or an 'old-fashioned 1920's bathing suit.'"

Reese also alleges in the suit that "this fabricated tall tale was brazenly published as a prominent and conspicuous cover story for the purpose of garnering the maximum attention to the tabloid..."



The lawsuit claims the story was a violation of Reese's privacy and portrays her in a false light. It seeks unspecified damages.

Mike Kahane, General Counsel for American Media, told TMZ, "It is a frivolous lawsuit. It has no legal merit and we intend to vigorously defend it and have every confidence that we will prevail."

We asked Kahane if Star believes Witherspoon is pregnant. He said, "The article asks the question as to whether or not she is pregnant based on her physical appearance and clothing that she was wearing and we believe we have every right to ask that question."

Witherspoon's publicist issued a statement, claiming the tabloid lied by saying "...she has been withholding or concealing this information from producers of upcoming films." The statement says Witherspoon's lawyers notified Star before the article was published, warning that the article was "...absolutely false and that it would be damaging to Witherspoon professionally as well as very distressing personally."

Click here to read the documents

Click here for photos of Reese

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Baby Watch

Reader Comments

(Page 4 of 8)Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT SOMEONE STOOD UP TO THESE CHEAPY, FALSE, MAGAZINES!!!! REESE SEEMS LIKE A DECENT, HARDWORKING, INTELLIGENT, MOTHER WHO JUST WANTS TO WORK HARD AND RAISE HER FAMILY. WITH BEING A STAR COMES PUBLICITY BUT NOT LIES. I DISCOURAGE MY DAUGHTER FROM READING THE TRASH AND TELL HER IF SHE WANTS THE TRUTH ABOUT HER FAMOUS IDOLS, TO READ PEOPLE MAGAZINE. GO REESE!!!!! YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

Posted at 7:32AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by sheila

47. IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT SOMEONE STOOD UP TO THESE CHEAPY, FALSE, MAGAZINES!!!! REESE SEEMS LIKE A DECENT, HARDWORKING, INTELLIGENT, MOTHER WHO JUST WANTS TO WORK HARD AND RAISE HER FAMILY. WITH BEING A STAR COMES PUBLICITY BUT NOT LIES. I DISCOURAGE MY DAUGHTER FROM READING THE TRASH AND TELL HER IF SHE WANTS THE TRUTH ABOUT HER FAMOUS IDOLS, TO READ PEOPLE MAGAZINE. GO REESE!!!!! YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

Posted at 7:38AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by sheila

48. I know that actors/actresses have themselves in the spotlight because of the job they do, however, they are human and deserve some privacy, respect and to live a life without magazines/tabloids LYING about who they are, what they do, etc.

Posted at 7:39AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Cherie

49. mrs.witherspoon is good at what she does on these movies and other things she is in .I think that the tab loids dont have anything better to do so they have to bring down the stars.she has the right to wear what ever she wants ive seen alot of stars wear clothes that are so tight dont know how they could breath in them and there are some of them that wear clothes that ought to be thrown in the garbage so dont complain what mrs.witherspoon wears I think she wears excellent clothes .and also its her business if she is pregant so just leave her alone

Posted at 7:41AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Vickie

50. I like Reese & hey if she is pregnant good for her and her family. They do look like a happy family. I'm 50/50 about the whole suing thing....I do believe that rich and famous people do get harassed alot and it's not fair BUT when you are a celebrity well, that comes along with fame....not saying the media is right getting in people's business but as a star it is expected....but who knows if they do start suing the tabloids maybe all the gossip will die down a little and let these people live their lives....

Posted at 7:59AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Jay

51. It may seem stupid to sue, but a story like that can be damaging to her career. She may not be thought of for parts if people think she's going to be 7mnts pregnant when shooting begins. Or if everyone still believed she was pregnant, but not gaining wieght she'd get the whole "Pregnant mom with eating disorder"

I dont think she's sueing because of the money, but to get the magazine to think next time before publishing a story especially if they warned ahead of time about how false the story is (sort of like when the judge orders you to pay a fine you think again before doing that again). Which they were warned, yet the cover suggests she IS pregnant, not "Is She pregnant AGAIN!!" like they say the article actually says. Alot of people dont buy the mag, so the cover is all they see, they said it to get people to read it, only to dissappoint the star's fans buy printing they are just wondering if she is.

Posted at 8:01AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Daria

52. Tabloids these days go way too far with their addiction to "be the first" to report a story. At least half of what is published in those mags is pure fiction. This is clearly defamatory and she has every right to file suit. Its not a "rich girl" thing at all- any individual has a right to defend themselves against mis-informed information. Good luck Reese.

Posted at 8:03AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Ali

53. I think tabloids are going too far. I don't know what's worse, the tabloids for publishing this crap or the people who buy into it and read this.

Posted at 8:06AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by deedriza

54. I agree that stars need to understand being in the public eye they will end up on covers, but in this case STAR knew the story was false and they reported it anyway. She has every right to sue. They took the chance to publish the story just to boost sales,they need to understand that can't always get away with publishing false storeis.

Posted at 8:08AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Sharon

55. Who really cares about her or any other celebrity who may be pregnant!

Posted at 8:09AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by J

56. First off, the cover says "Baby #3" which lead me to believe that she confirmed she was pregnant and bought the mag to read the article and so, having read the article I think she has every right to sue. The article states and I quote "Besides, she has two movies coming up and just doesn't want to break the news to producers just yet." Although the article says she has not "admitted" that she is pregnant, it does say she is a very PRIVATE person. This statement leads everyone to believe that she is pregnant!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I believe she has the right to sue and should for publishing a false statement for gains. Shame on you STAR magazine. FYI - At least when they talk about Julia Roberts - they say she is trying for baby #3 on the inside story. But for Reese, it is a fact.

Sorry Reese. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 8:11AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Cherie

57. Witherspoon's lawsuit is, by no means, of a "frivolous" nature. Future acting jobs may well come to a screeching halt if producers and other industry professionals believe that her "condition" would preclude her being able to complete a project on time. It's too easy to forget that Yvonne De Carlo and other courageous stars sued Confidential Magazine decades ago and brought about its ultimate demise, or that Carol Burnett, a child of alcoholics, took on The National Enquirer, which alleged that she was drunk in public. Enough is enough ... and, frankly, these tabloid rags have used no discretion for so long that they have become a joke!
While "inquiring minds want to know" (perhaps), intelligent readers stay away!

Posted at 8:16AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Lewis

58. What language is that?

Posted at 8:17AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Rick

59. I think Reese is doing the right thing!!! She doesn't have to put up with lies about her personal life. Reese is awesome!! Good Luck!!

Posted at 8:18AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Diane

60. See why I don't buy Star. National Enquirer and other "Lie Rags" If more actresses and actors had sued when things that were untrue were printed; instead of having the idea that any publicity is good publicity. And fewer of them would have the created industry from photographers getting the amounts of money that encourage them to pursue famous people to the extent they have been. Good luck Reese.

Posted at 8:20AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Deborah Gorrell

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