E! Imprisoned Woman for 'Reality' Show, Suit Says

A woman is suing the E! Entertainment network for subjecting her to hours of harassment by allegedly tricking her into believing she was a contestant for a reality TV show about a female pop band.

Malena Brush says the network asked her to audition for a new show in which contestants vie for a spot in an all-female rock band.

But the "audition" turned out to be a ruse for getting her to appear in a "Candid Camera"-type show called "Reality Hell" that dupes people into thinking they are participating in new reality shows, according to Brush's lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Brush says E! contacted her in July about a casting opportunity for a "girl-group show for a major network." The network allegedly told her the show would be similar to MTV's "Making the Band."

According to the complaint, Brush also was told that the show was a "real" employment opportunity and that contestants would receive $1,500 a week if selected for the program.

Brush says she attended three auditions and was instructed to engage in "humiliating activities" at her home during a filming session for what she was told was a "behind-the-scenes backstory" for the program.

The day after videotaping the footage in her home, Brush says, E! sent a limousine to take her to a recording studio to sing tracks for the show.

After confiscating her cell phone, network employees introduced Brush to a group of other purported "girl band" participants or "recording studio personalities." But in reality they were paid actors who used the next eight hours to "harass, embarrass, heckle, insult and offend" Brush, the complaint says.

Brush says she tried to leave the studio after finally learning that she had been duped but had no phone or transportation home.

Before she was permitted to leave, network employees allegedly demanded that she agree to a videotaped interview and make certain "statements" for the cameras.

The entire incident was taped for an episode of "Reality Hell," according to the suit.

The complaint alleges fraud, conspiracy, false imprisonment, intrusion, deceptive trade, misappropriation of image and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Brush is seeking punitive damages and a court order blocking the network from airing footage of her.

E! did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.

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Nicole Lari-Joni in Los Angeles represents Brush.