Lindsay Lohan Sued Rockstar Games for a Character Lookalike

Former Disney star Lindsay Lohan was certain that the character of Lacey Jonas from the famous Grand Theft Auto V game was inspired by her because she looked like her and was a movie star in the game. So, Lohan sued developer Rockstar Games over the resemblance.

Lindsay Lohan Recognized Herself in a Game

It was also alleged that the character in the game resembled Lindsay Lohan in terms of clothing and voice. In 2014, the actor filed a lawsuit against Rockstar Games, alleging that the creators of the game had copied various aspects of her persona, including her cellphone and signature peace sign pose. Additionally, it was suggested that Rockstar Games had used a 2007 image of Lindsay Lohan in a bikini.

In Grand Theft Auto V, the player encounters Lacey Jonas hiding from the paparazzi in an alleyway. She requests a ride home, during which she mentions her fame, acting career, and status as a cultural icon. However, it is revealed that Lacey is not as successful or influential as she portrays herself, but rather a fading celebrity who is frequently targeted by tabloids. Given Lohan’s career struggles, it’s not surprising that she would draw comparisons between herself and a character like Lacey Jonas.

Lohan’s Appeals Were Declined

In 2016, Lindsay Lohan’s legal case was dismissed by a panel of five judges. Lohan and her legal team filed an appeal, which was also denied in 2018. While the appeal judges acknowledged the possibility of a video game character being considered a portrait, which would have supported Lohan’s invasion of privacy claim, they determined that there were not enough similarities between Lohan and the character of Lacey to justify the claim.

New York’s Court of Appeals panel of six judges agreed that the character of Lacey Jonas bears resemblance to a generic woman in their twenties, lacking any specific physical characteristics. A ruling by one of the judges stated that the artistic depictions are indistinct, satirical portrayals of the manner, appearance, and persona of a contemporary, beach-going young woman that cannot be identified as the plaintiff.