Tonya Cooley first appeared on MTV in the “Real World: Chicago” back in 2001. She’s since kept her 15 minutes of fame as a regular on the channel’s “challenges” most seasons, but her recent one may be her last. The reality star has filed a lawsuit against MTV, the production company and several male cast members, alleging “took another male participant’s toothbrush and rubbed the toothbrush around plaintiff’s genitals, including rubbing her labia and inserting the toothbrush into plaintiff’s vagina.” Pretty serious allegations. Details below.
Cooley says it all happened while she was passed out cold … and cameras were rolling
Cooley says producers not only knew about the rape, they even replaced the toothbrush, but never told her what happened.
The suit also claims female cast members were stripped of their bathing suits and that male cast members were encouraged by producers to “inappropriately touch female cast members’ bodies, including in intimate areas.”
Cooley alleges she and other cast members reported incidents of sexual abuse, but show honchos turned a blind eye.
Cooley claims she was later booted from the show after slapping a cast member. She says nothing happened to the men who allegedly raped her.
Cooley is suing for unspecified damages. Calls to MTV have not been returned.
We made several calls to Bunim/Murray for comment, but each time we called … the receptionist hung up on us.
