Rachel Bilson Opens Up About Losing Role Over Candid Comments

  • By Imani
  • Oct. 5, 2025, 10:03 a.m.

Rachel Bilson's Podcast Confession Sparks Controversy

Rachel Bilson is speaking out about how her candid remarks on a podcast led to her being dropped from an acting gig. The former The O.C. star recently opened up about the incident during her appearance on the "Women On Top" podcast in 2023, where she delved into her personal experiences, including a preference for being "manhandled." Her playful but straightforward comments quickly caught attention.

Bilson shed more light on the topic during an episode of her own podcast, "Broad Ideas," where she admitted that it was the first time she had been fired from a role due to something she said. Her remarks, while intended to be fun, ended up having unintended professional consequences.

Reflecting on the Fallout

Rachel revisited the topic on the "Why Won't You Date Me" podcast, expressing how the "manhandled" comment might have come off poorly when taken out of context. Without naming the company, she said it was "very conservative" and not "comfortable" with the nature of her remarks.

“Sometimes the industry isn't ready for candid honesty," Bilson mused about her experience.

Her reflections reveal a shift in how she approaches public discourse, acknowledging the sometimes restrictive environment of Hollywood. "It's a tough place to find a job," she remarked, hinting at a more cautious approach to future interviews.

Imani
Author: Imani
Imani

Imani

Imani follows the money: payouts, contracts, lawsuits, and platform enforcement. With a background in entertainment PR and paralegal work, she breaks complex stories into plain-English playbooks for creators. Her series Follow the Money connects drama to data - who benefits, who pays, and what to do next. Calm, sourced, and courtroom-ready; DTLA is her second office.