Robert DeNiro’s Nobu Malibu is being sued by hostess who claims celebrity hotspot employees must put up with sexual harassment
- A hostess at Nobu in Malibu, California is suing the eatery, claiming there is a culture of sexual harassment and assault within the company
- A woman who identified herself as “Jane Doe” has filed a lawsuit alleging that hostesses have been known to experience non-consensual harassment
- Nobu is co-owned by actor Robert De Niro and is a well-known celebrity hotspot
A hostess at luxury sushi restaurant Nobu Malibu claims the eatery perpetuates a culture of sexual harassment for some staff members and is now suing the celebrity hotspot.
On Wednesday, a hostess identified as a 23-year-old Jane Doe filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging that she and others were forced to “dress skimpily and repel unwanted sexual advances from managers and customers.” to point out’.
Additionally, the woman claims – through her lawyer – that she was repeatedly touched by a manager referred to as Marcus “while she was working.”
She is seeking $500,000 in damages and attorney fees.
The restaurant, partially owned by acclaimed actor Robert De Niro, is a well-known celebrity hotspot in the Los Angeles area.
Upscale sushi restaurant Nobu Malibu is being sued by a hostess who claims the eatery perpetuates a culture of sexual harassment for some staff members
Nobu was founded in 1994 by chef Nobu Matsuhisa (left) together with actor Robert De Niro (center) and film producer Meir Teper (left)
Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Khloe Kardashian and Jen Garcia Allen at Nobu in 2015
Brian Bowen Smith and Cindy Crawford at Nobu in 2022
According to the woman’s lawyer, Bernard Alexander, the restaurant’s hostesses are constantly exposed to unwanted advances as part of their work.
At one point, while working at the restaurant, the manager identified himself as Marcus “repeatedly touched her buttocks with his hand while she was working.”
In a press release, Alexander explained that unwanted touching was a common occurrence among the hostesses – and that other high-ups at the luxury restaurant were aware of it.
“On one occasion, the manager restrained both of her hands and kissed her neck after drinking,” the law firm’s release said.
Marcus was eventually fired after other managers were made aware of the alleged extent of his behavior, but that wasn’t enough for the traumatized hostesses.
“He was allowed to return to the restaurant as a customer, forcing hostesses who had complained about his behavior to work for fear of encountering him,” the lawyer wrote.
The lawyer claims that the situation was not only “intimidating” in nature, but also gendered, as male employees did not receive the same treatment.
Doe, an aspiring actor, didn’t feel she could leave her role that gave her a “steady paycheck” and access to “entertainment industry captains.”
The lawsuit called the job an “otherwise desirable role.”
Kevin Hart and Ne-Yo attend a party at Nobu Malibu in July 2022
Nobu is an upscale, exclusive sushi restaurant located along the Pacific Coast Highway
Chef Matsuhisa (pictured) at Nobu’s Malibu location
In his release, Alexander also called out the Hollywood stars who frequent and support the restaurant.
“It is a frustrating irony that Nobu is catering to a Hollywood client list that routinely singles out and cancels contemporaries who exhibit the same kind of misogynistic and exploitative behavior that Nobu’s managers seem to encourage,” Alexander wrote.
He added that Jane Doe and other female employees’ access to the “captains of the entertainment industry” felt forced to remain silent for the sake of their jobs.
DailyMail.com contacted Nobu officials, who did not respond to this report in time.
Nobu was founded in 1994 by chef Nobu Matsuhisa together with Robert De Niro and film producer Meir Teper.
As of 2023, there are more than 50 Nobu restaurants around the world.