Credit: DisneyA former Disney Channel star is speaking out after losing his job at Universal Studios Hollywood, which he alleges resulted from his reports against a “pedophile” coworker. Steven Anthony Lawrence, who played “Beans” on Even Stevens, had seemingly been employed as an entertainment team member at the Southern California Universal park before losing his job.
Steven Anthony Lawrence Goes Public With Termination Allegations
Over the weekend, Steven Anthony Lawrence posted on Instagram and Facebook, alleging that he lost his job at Universal Studios Hollywood about a month ago after reporting a “pedophile” coworker. The former Disney Channel star said he’d hoped to resolve the situation with his former employer amicably, but decided to go public and warn others. He shared a photo of his nametag and Universal team member badge leaning against what appeared to be a Toad costume from SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
I delayed posting this for about a month because I was hoping we could find some sort of amicable solution because I absolutely loved performing and dancing with all you amazing people.
It is with a heavy heart I have to announce that my time with Universal Studios has ended because my Boss @vonblonde and her H.R. representative Julia.Mira@udx.com wants to retaliate for reporting a suspected pedofile around children.
While I will truly miss my job I cannot be associated with an organization or people that don’t care about performer or guest safety while numerous people continue to get hurt.
With what I know, I WILL NEVER ALLOW MY KID TO GO TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD.
Be safe everyone.
View this post on Instagram
Lawrence did not share any proof of his allegations, but received support from fans and even a former Even Stevens co-star, Christy Carlson Romano. “Good for you Steven! 👏,” the actress commented on his post.
Others Share Their Stories
Several social media commenters stood with Lawrence and shared their own negative experiences with Universal Studios Hollywood.
“Sadly, my friend was also retaliated against at Universal studios for reporting harassment against female employees,” @dammit_girkenstein_aka_shaggy commented.
“Unfortunately, this is the least surprising result of the situation,” @andrewjroberts_ replied. “I walked past the man who a friend of mine had spent 9 months reporting his sexual harassment towards her and other women on the same day she got fired. I spent a month fighting for my life and eventually being caught on a technicality after disagreeing with my manager once. Universal, and specifically SNW and their HR friends, don’t care for employees, they just care about having yesmen. I’m so sorry you lost your job, you were literally the best Toad there was!”
Lawrence later commented on the additional allegations from his Instagram followers: “The frightening thing is this post has had so many other people speak out with their own accounts and has given me more ammunition then I realized.”
However, some commenters claiming to be close to the situation shifted the blame onto Lawrence.
“Steven, I have a message from you that says others were saying you were the pedophile and unless they had evidence it meant nothing,” @stiltwhisperer wrote. “You sent me this message unprompted. The company said No, no one has called you this so they won’t investigate your claim. Call is coming from inside the house. Also you were a menace to work with, onstage and off. Left your glasses in the middle of the floor during a set and then yelled at the dressers that they moved your glasses so they wouldn’t get stepped on(tip of the iceberg).”
“Steven, you were the worst to the dressers and PA’s and other performers, you had the worst attitude every single day, seemed like you were on drugs or having a bad come down most days,” said @mariah_goodnight. “You made everyone’s day worse, purposely and intentionally. Stop the lies. Get the help you need.”
It’s important to note that none of these allegations against Universal Studios Hollywood or Steven Anthony Lawrence can be confirmed and are solely the opinions of the individuals who made the above Instagram comments.
Universal Studios Hollywood Responds
On January 4, a Universal spokesperson told TMZ that the company had investigated Lawrence’s allegations and found them to be unsubstantiated.
“We have investigated and reviewed the concerns brought forward by this former employee and they were found to be inaccurate and without merit,” the Universal Studios Hollywood representative said. “We take all employee concerns seriously and have established processes for raising any concerns without fear of retaliation.”
Lawrence doesn’t appear to have commented publicly on this statement from his former employer.
Do you have any thoughts on the conflict between Universal Studios Hollywood and Steven Anthony Lawrence? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments.