'Days of Our Lives' star Arianne Zucker sues producers over sexual harassment

Former "Days of Our Lives" star Arianne Zucker is suing the show's producers for alleged sexual harassment.

Zucker, who played Nicole Walker on the popular soap opera from 1998 to when her character was written off in June, is suing former long-running "Days" co-executive producer Albert Alarr and current executive producer Ken Corday over claims of touching including groping and kissing, inappropriate comments and creating a toxic workplace environment.

Alarr's "unwelcome physical touching," where he allegedly "forcefully touched without her consent," made Zucker feel "offended, uncomfortable, humiliated and intimidated," according to the lawsuit, obtained by USA TODAY. Allar's alleged touching near Zucker's genitals left her feeling "violated."

"Alarr would frequently grab and tightly hug, purposely pushing her breasts onto his chest, while moaning 'Oh Ari!,'" the lawsuit states.

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The lawsuit's other allegations include claims that during certain scenes, Zucker would have to stand up and get out of the bed with minimal clothes with nothing but pasties covering her breasts in front of a mostly male crew. Alarr, her lawyers allege, was allowed to sit in the production booth during an HR investigation while Zucker's body was exposed.

The suit alleges pay disparity, saying female actors were paid less than their male counterparts; Zucker also alleges her pay was cut after reporting the allegations. She said Codray only fired Alarr once the misconduct allegations made headlines.

Zucker "did what we tell all women who experience harassment to do, and that is to report it," her attorney Anahita Sedaghatfar said in a statement to USA TODAY Wednesday. "Ms. Zucker did just that and was the voice for other women who were too scared to come forward. Rather than condone her bravery, Ms. Zucker alleges that Corday retaliated against her and because she spoke out she has lost a job she was devoted to for two decades."

Zucker is also the subject of former President Donald Trump's infamous "grab 'em" tape featuring former "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush, according to "Today" and The New York Times.

The lawsuit against Alarr, who served as the show's director since 2003 and co-executive producer since 2011, comes on the heels of his ouster in August after allegations of misconduct were raised against him. USA TODAY has reached out to Alarr's rep and "Days of Our Lives" for comment.

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Corday confirmed Alarr's departure in a statement obtained by Deadline and Variety.

"Effective immediately, Janet Drucker will be elevated to co-executive producer of 'Days of Our Lives,' replacing Albert Alarr, who will be exiting his role," Corday wrote at the time in a memo to the show's cast and crew, per the outlets. "Moving forward, we will be implementing additional HR protocols, including an increased HR presence as well as channels for reporting any concerns. It is imperative that we have a safe and inclusive workplace environment."

Zucker's lawsuit also alleges that Codray has continued a personal friendship with Alarr in the wake of public backlash from fans and viewers after the misconduct controversy surfaced.

"As part of this lawsuit we will seek to ensure that Corday provides sexual harassment training to its employees and hires an intimacy coordinator to be on set for sex scenes," Zucker's lawyer said.

In an August statement to Deadline and People after the allegations surfaced, Alarr said, "It is hard to overstate how heartbreaking I find this situation."

"These allegations were already examined in a detailed and entirely independent investigation that lasted for two months," Alarr continued. "Dozens of individuals cooperated and every claim was thoroughly looked into. At the end of that process, the decision was made that I should continue in my role as co-executive producer. Now, with no new facts presented, the studios have reversed course and caved to a cynical pressure campaign to force me out of my job."

Contributing: Edward Segarra