Actress Debi Mazar has described the set of the HBO series "Entourage" as having become "toxic" and "testosterone-fueled" for her after she returned from maternity leave following the birth of her second daughter.
Mazar, who portrayed publicist Shauna Roberts throughout the show's eight-season run from 2004 to 2011, told The Sunday Times that the atmosphere on set shifted by the third season.
"I’d had my second baby and they didn’t like that I got fat, even though I got skinny again," Mazar claimed, without identifying specific individuals who made her feel uncomfortable. "I’m tough, but it got toxic towards the end for me."
She added that while the first season was a "joy-fest," the set eventually became less enjoyable. Mazar's character, Shauna Roberts, served as the publicist for the main character Vincent Chase, played by Adrian Grenier. Roberts was upgraded to the main cast in the second season.
Mazar also told Entertainment Weekly this year that the set was often "misogynistic." "With TV, you don’t know what they’re going to write," she said. "I took a job to make money. I mean, [creator Doug Ellin] wrote a really strong character, but that set was very testosterone-driven and misogynistic."
"Entourage" explored the career of a young movie star, Vincent Chase, and his group of friends navigating Hollywood. The show, created and largely written by Doug Ellin, was executive produced by Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson, with its premise loosely based on Wahlberg's experiences.
Mazar stated that despite difficult days on set, she would often channel her character, Shauna, to cope, saying, "just go into Shauna mode, and go ‘You know what, f—k you bye.'"
She expressed gratitude for her role on the series, noting, "I always was professional and I’m grateful I was on it."
Mazar reprised her role as Shauna Roberts in the 2015 "Entourage" film. The series itself was noted for its portrayal of toxic masculinity and misogyny within the Hollywood industry.