Actor Jeremy Renner has vehemently denied allegations from his former film partner Yi Zhou, who claims he sent her unsolicited explicit images and threatened to report her to immigration authorities, sparking a public feud.
The dispute came to light this week when Zhou, a 34-year-old Chinese filmmaker, took to Instagram to accuse Renner of misconduct. She alleged that the “Avengers” star began contacting her in June 2025, sending intimate photographs and engaging in a relationship that she believed was sincere. Zhou described how Renner convinced her of his intentions, saying he was single and open to a long-term connection, which led her to trust him.
Zhou detailed that their professional collaboration on the documentary “Chronicles of Disney” was intertwined with their personal involvement. However, she claimed that during a meeting at Renner’s home in Reno, Nevada, his behavior turned aggressive, with him drinking a bottle of wine and yelling for hours, leaving her terrified and locking herself in a room for safety. She shared texts with colleagues expressing fear, with one advising her to lock herself in the bathroom as Renner sounded “crazy.”
In her allegations, Zhou stated that when she privately confronted Renner about his actions and asked for respect, he threatened to call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on her. This threat, she said, was particularly frightening given her status, and she shared purported text messages with Daily Mail that showed Renner allegedly referencing immigration in a cutoff message. Zhou emphasized that this act shocked her and made her feel vulnerable.
To support her claims, Zhou provided screenshots, including one where Renner allegedly sent a video of porn actors and asked “Oh, yes ? This ok ???” She asserted that she has a collection of such unsolicited images and gifs, emphasizing that she did not initiate contact and felt used by the actor. Zhou told Daily Mail that Renner pursued her despite her initial lack of familiarity with his work, and she accused him of denying their relationship and collaborations after their falling out.
Renner’s representative responded to Page Six, denying all allegations as “totally inaccurate and untrue.” The 54-year-old actor, who recently recovered from a severe snow plow accident, has not made a personal statement, but his team is standing by his innocence. This stance contrasts with Zhou’s previous comments in October, where she hinted at a romantic relationship, saying Renner “found new love” with her.
This incident echoes past controversies in Renner’s life, such as accusations from his ex-wife Sonni Pacheco in 2019, where she alleged substance abuse and threats, which he denied. The current allegations highlight ongoing issues of power and accountability in Hollywood relationships, with Zhou describing her experience as a “story of survival against domestic aggression, porn abuse, and abuse as a woman.”
As the story gains traction, it raises concerns about the treatment of women in the entertainment industry and the potential for legal repercussions. Both parties are expected to continue their dispute, with Zhou vowing to speak up and Renner maintaining his denial, ensuring the matter remains in public discourse and could influence future collaborations and public perceptions.
