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

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Reader Comments

(Page 6 of 8)Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

76. Yeah I think shes doing th right thing I mean Reese isnt like other stars and this is jsut proof that tabloids want to start stuff sorta like Jess and Nick and I love Reese so I hope she wins!

Posted at 9:02AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Jamie

77. I agree with your whole post, Christine. The cover text suggests that Star knows this for a fact, and for the legal team to spin it otherwise is why lawyers have the weasel reputation they have. Go get 'em, Reese!

Posted at 9:08AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by BMcGee

78. I think Reese has every right to sue, not because she's famous, because her
privicy is being invaded. Most Journalist have sources to back up what they
say.
Also what does it matter what she wears, maybe she likes wearing baggy clothes
nobody has thought of that. I like wearing baggy clothes, does that make me
pregnent? I don't think so.

And I agree with Christine 100% that some stars are Media Whores, and
would love the attention, but Reese is not one of them and that makes me
like her.

Posted at 9:16AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Andrea

79. I think she is in her rights. These people are very much in the wrong, making up stories can hurt people, not only with not getting a role in a movie but what if her husband didnt know or the fact is what if she has a miscarriage. That can hurt her feelings. I think these taboilds feed on the people who buy them. If everyone would stop suppoting them and support the actors instead they would have to change their formats. Yes, i do like to know when something new happens but maybe if they didnt run these stories the actors would be more willing to share with their fans. These celbs are here for our enjoyment, not for us to be part of their real lives but there movies & songs. I would hate someone knowing my every move, sometimes its just not the right move, I then change it if I can, but these stars dont have a chance to change. We all have children, we all make mistakes, I know I dont want to be in a mag for the world to see me gain weight, lose weight, have a baby, fall holding the baby. Just goes to show everyone they are people too. They too need respect!

Posted at 9:18AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Carrie

80. She seems like a very loving mom. My question is ....what about Julia?

Posted at 9:18AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by mare

81. she has all the rights in the world to sue!!!!!!!! Things like this can hurt her personal life and also what people think of her. some of these magazines dont realize you have to FIND the facts. Not make them up!!! Reese is going to win no doubt!!

Posted at 9:20AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Ace

82. Resse has every right to sue the magazine - it is NOT about the fact that she is a movie star and should just put up with it, it is because the magazine deliberately put this story on the COVER, knowing full well it would boost their sales for the week enormously.

If she lets them get away with this - who and what will be their next bogus cover story? Someone could really get hurt.

And, speaking as someone who had something put in th newspaper that wasn't true about her (and I mean ME!), it's really annoying and irritating to have to keep correcting people who have read what is there in print, that isn't true and never was true.

Good on Reese? Does anyone know if ANY of the cover was true? Ie: Is Julia Roberts actually pregnant either?

Ans she may be sueing for a small amount too - an actor in England sued a magazine for saying he was gay, and received $1.00 in damages because he wasn't trying to make the magazine go under, he just wanted a retraction. Another got more damages and gave them to a charity. It's not about the money here, it's the principle that is at stake!

Posted at 9:21AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Cassie

83. If STAR magazine's counsel believes based on her clothing that they have the right to "ask the question" in their magazine about her possible pregnancy then the cover should have a QUESTION MARK AND NOT AN EXCLAMATION POINT. Any frickin' elementary student knows the difference between the two. Bunch of morons trying to boost sales. You Go Reese!

Posted at 9:22AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Nancy

84. Anyone who comments with the word dat , da, or iz, should not talk about someone or something being dumb. Good for Reece she has every right to stand up for herself. It would be no different if you lived in a small town and this was the latest rumor. So she is a big star, that does not mean she does not have feelings or a family including her two children she must explain all the garbage to all the time. Way to go !

Posted at 9:22AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Arin

85. Ok anybody saying that Reese Witherspoon does not have a right to sue Star Magazine needs to rethink their opinions. It is not like she is a random person. Actors and actresses get harassed and torn apart by the media and this is a pure example of something that could affect her both in her business life (not getting certain jobs because she is "pregnant") and personal life (being followed by reporters to see if it's really true). If that were one of us, we would go crazy from it all. We wouldn't want a rumor spread about us either..especially to the whole country. And if Star claims that they weren't implying that she was pregnant , but more of asking if she was, they needed to put a question mark on the cover instead of outright saying she was. She does not have a big ego, nor is her case stupid. She doesnt even try to get herself attention. If you havent noticed, shes focused on being a mom and an actress, not a camera whore celebrity. Really, Im glad its not me for sole reason that I dont have to deal with pressures from the media on a daily basis.

Posted at 9:24AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Sarah

86. i think your doing the right thing. the problem is that they should mind their own business instead of worrying about every little thing about everyone else. get the facts and 100% proof before you write a story like that. good luck reese. love your movies.

Posted at 9:29AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by jason

87. The point is not whether or not she is pregnant. The fact that Star magazine is saying that she isn't telling anyone because she is hiding this fact from current and potential employers implies that she attempting to defraud or otherwise decieve someone into hiring her or keeping her employed. This is a direct attack on her character. They are basically saying she is a liar, a cheat, and a conniving person. I'd be pissed off, too! It also puts in question the reasons the magazine felt it needed to say these things. In the end, Star magazine did profit from slander and deserves to be punished.

Posted at 9:30AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Karen

88. She should have waited nine months later and then got wit em

Posted at 9:32AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Rbowski

89. Why would anybody want to buy that paper MUCH less believe a word of it.....those that do......really need a life. Of should it be dat life, trash the ghetto sound like a human god, does everybody have to talk ghetto nowadays.

Posted at 9:32AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by peggy

90. I love Reese I think she is one of the best actors in the movies. I don't agree with any mag. telling lies about any star exp. Reese. I agree with her wanting to sue and I hope she hits star where it hurts. Good Luck Reese!!

Posted at 9:33AM on Jun 22nd 2006 by Janette

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