Robert DeNiro’s Nobu Malibu is sued by a hostess who claims employees at a celebrity hotspot have to put up with sexual harassment
- A hostess at Nobu restaurant in Malibu, California, is suing the restaurant and alleging a culture of sexual harassment and assault within the company.
- A woman identifying herself as “Jane Doe” filed a complaint, alleging that flight attendants were known to be victims of 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 restaurant perpetuates a culture of sexual harassment against some of its staff and is now suing the celebrity hot spot.
A stewardess identified only as Jane Doe, 23, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday, claiming she and others were forced to “dress in skimpy clothing and spread unwanted sexual advances from managers and customers.”
Additionally, the woman – through her attorney – claims she was repeatedly touched by a manager called Marcus “while she was working.”
She is seeking $500,000 in damages and attorney’s fees.
The restaurant, owned in part by famous actor Robert De Niro, is a well-known celebrity hotspot in the greater Los Angeles area.
Luxury sushi restaurant Nobu Malibu is being sued by a hostess who claims the restaurant perpetuates a culture of sexual harassment toward some members of its staff.
Nobu was founded in 1994 by chef Nobu Matsuhisa (left) alongside 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 subjected to unwanted advances as part of their jobs.
At one point, while working in the restaurant, the manager identified himself as Marcus “who had repeatedly touched her buttocks with his hand while she was working.”
In a press release, Alexander explained that unwanted touching was commonplace for hostesses — and that other senior officials at the upscale restaurant were aware.
“On one occasion, the manager held both of his hands and kissed his neck after he had been drinking,” the attorney’s office statement said.
Marcus was ultimately fired after other managers were informed of the alleged extent of his behavior, but that wasn’t enough for the traumatized stewardesses.
“He was allowed to return to the restaurant as a customer, forcing the hostesses who had complained about his behavior to work for fear of encountering him,” the lawyer wrote.
The lawyer alleges that the situation was not only “harassing” in nature, but also gender-based, in that male employees did not receive the same treatment.
Doe, an aspiring actress, didn’t think she could leave her role that offered her a “steady salary” and access to “captains of the entertainment industry.”
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 and exclusive sushi restaurant located along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Chef Matsuhisa (photo) at Nobu’s Malibu
In his statement, Alexander also called out Hollywood stars who frequent and support the restaurant.
“It’s a frustrating irony that Nobu caters to a list of Hollywood clients who routinely rally against and cancel contemporaries who exhibit the same kind of misogynistic and exploitative behavior that Nobu’s managers appear to encourage,” Alexander wrote.
He said Jane Doe and other female employees with access to “captains of the entertainment industry” felt obligated to remain silent for the sake of their jobs.
DailyMail.com contacted Nobu officials, who did not respond in time for this report.
Nobu was founded in 1994 by chef Nobu Matsuhisa alongside Robert De Niro and film producer Meir Teper.
As of 2023, there are more than 50 Nobu restaurants worldwide.
