Hollywood’s underbelly just got a harsh spotlight with serious allegations against action star Steven Seagal.
On Jan. 22, 2026, at 1:26 PM ET, Claudia Jordan and Shanna Moakler made public claims against Seagal during the debut episode of their podcast, "Wicked Awesome." They alleged that, in separate incidents at his home, they arrived expecting auditions but were instead isolated in a room where Seagal offered massages and acupuncture. A clip of their discussion was shared by TMZ, bringing these accusations to wider attention.
Shanna Moakler detailed her experience first, claiming it happened when she was just 18 years old.
According to the Daily Caller, she alleged Seagal flew her from New York to Los Angeles for what she believed was a movie role audition. Instead, she found herself in a situation where he instructed her to remove her top and lie on a bed, claiming he could help her back with acupuncture.
Moakler recalled hearing his children playing nearby, which added to her confusion and unease during the encounter.
“He told me he was like a sensai — and like — he could fix my back, could give me acupuncture and he was like you should take off your top and lay on the bed,” Moakler said.
Her words paint a picture of exploitation, and it’s hard not to question the ethics of using an audition as a lure for something so personal. When power imbalances mix with promises of stardom, young hopefuls can be left vulnerable to manipulation.
Moakler also claimed Seagal eventually massaged her while her top was off, leaving her deeply uncomfortable and questioning when they’d discuss the movie role, only to be handed what she called a meaningless script.
Claudia Jordan shared her own unsettling story, alleging that a first audition with Seagal seemed legitimate, though she didn’t get the part.
Years later, a second opportunity arose, and she arrived at his home expecting another professional interaction, only to find Seagal and an assistant there, with the expected reader absent. She alleged being taken upstairs on an unrequested house tour, where the door was locked behind her.
“I didn’t take anything off,” Jordan insisted, marking a key difference from Moakler’s account, though the fear was palpable as she described counting steps to the exit after feigning an excuse to leave.
The issue has sparked debate over how power is wielded in Hollywood, especially when aspiring talents are placed in compromising positions under the guise of opportunity. These allegations, if true, highlight a troubling pattern where trust is weaponized against the vulnerable. It’s a reminder that the entertainment industry often operates behind a curtain of glamour that can hide predatory behavior.
Progressive voices might argue this is just another overblown story, a hit on a celebrity without proof. But when two separate accounts echo such similar discomfort, it’s tough to dismiss as a mere coincidence. The cultural push for unchecked “expression” in Hollywood shouldn’t mean excusing actions that exploit dreams.
Ultimately, these claims against Seagal raise broader questions about accountability in an industry that has long been criticized for its moral blind spots. While legal proof remains absent at this stage, the stories of Jordan and Moakler resonate as a call for stronger protections for those chasing stardom. It’s time to rethink how auditions are conducted and ensure no one’s hopes are twisted into traps.