‘I only had good intentions’: James Packer named as figure in sex scandal

James Packer named as a figure in Hollywood sex scandal, but the actress at the centre of allegations has denied any inappropriate behaviour by the billionaire.

Charlotte Kirk and James Packer. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

James Packer has been named as a figure in a Hollywood sex scandal, after hundreds of messages allegedly between the billionaire and his former lover, actress Charlotte Kirk, were released to The Hollywood Reporter.

According to the messages reviewed by The Hollywood Reporter, Mr Packer had first introduced Ms Kirk to Warner Bros chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara, promising her the “opportunity of a lifetime”.

Ms Kirk, who was 21 at the time and had previously been involved in a relationship with Mr Packer, became involved in a sexual relationship with Mr Tsujihara. But The Hollywood Reporter reports Ms Kirk became frustrated she was not landing enough roles, which resulted in accusations of “extortion” by Mr Packer’s business partner, Brett Ratner, and a draft settlement agreement.

A text message exchange between Charlotte Kirk and Kevin Tsujihara in February 2014. Picture: supplied

Despite the messages, Ms Kirk has “emphatically” denied any inappropriate behaviour on the part of Mr Packer, Mr Ratner, and Mr Tsujihara, had occurred.

“I have no claims against any of them,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. The Australian does not suggest the claims in the messages are accurate, or that Mr Packer or the other men have acted inappropriately.

In a statement Mr Packer told The Australian this afternoon he had only wanted the best for the young actress.

“We had a brief relationship and I tried to help her career, I genuinely only ever had good intentions for Charlotte,” Mr Packer said in a statement.

According to the messages, Ms Kirk first met with Mr Tsujihara on 27 September 2013, later texting Mr Packer: “His [sic] not very nice! Very pushy!! He just wants to f**k nothing else does not even want To say anything!” According to The Hollywood Reporter Mr Packer responded, “U OK?” and told her to “Be cool.”

By 2014, Ms Kirk was working with Mr Tsujihara. Ms Kirk was later cast in two roles for Warner Bros, the 2016 film How to Be Single, and Ocean’s 8, which was released last year. She also received auditions for other projects.

James Packer and Brett Ratner with Warner Bros. Entertainment CEO Kevin Tsujihara. Picture: WireImage

As tensions rose, Mr Ratner appeared to take the lead in managing the situation through his lawyer, Marty Singer, who put together a proposed settlement agreement which would have guaranteed her auditions and an appearance in a movie, directed by himself. That deal was never signed, according to Mr Singer. Mr Ratner maintains Ms Kirk was a friend and he was trying to help her secure auditions.

Questions by the The Hollywood Reporter were made regarding the relationship between Ms Kirk and Mr Tsujihara in 2017, which the CEO denied at the time, threatening a lawsuit. In September last year, an anonymous letter was sent to WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey, which included a series of questions about an executive promising speaking roles to an actress, identified as ‘CK’. The business investigated, but found no evidence of misconduct.

A text message exchange between Charlotte Kirk and Kevin Tsujihara in March 2015. Picture: supplied

Ms Kirk told The Hollywood Reporter in response to the report: “I emphatically deny any inappropriate behaviour on the part of Brett Ratner, James Packer, and Kevin Tsujihara, and I have no claims against any of them. I confirm that I was in a romantic relationship with James Packer in the summer of 2013 and that I was treated with respect by Mr Packer, and I have no issues with him or claims against him. I further confirm that when the relationship ended I sought the advice of Mr Tsujihara whom I had been introduced to by Mr Packer. Mr Tsujihara never promised me anything. I also confirm that Brett Ratner helped me out of friendship to assist me in getting auditions and trying to help me find an agent, and I have no issues with him or claims against him. I deny that there was any legal settlement or agreement entered into between myself and Brett Ratner in 2016.”

In a statement, Mr Ratner’s lawyer Mr Singer told The Hollywood Reporter: “Brett Ratner did nothing wrong and had the best intentions. While he offered to help get Ms Kirk a limited number of auditions, he consistently told her that she would have to earn any job herself.”