The Apprentice director Ali Abbasi has spoken out after being accused of groping an A-list actor—an allegation that reportedly led to his split from powerhouse talent agencies CAA and Entertainment 360.

The Iranian-Danish filmmaker, 44, insisted that the alleged incident and his professional fallout were unrelated, addressing the controversy in a statement on Saturday.

‘I fully understand that my action made someone uncomfortable, regardless of my intent, and for that I am truly sorry,’ Abbasi stated, per People. ‘I had spent time with the person concerned on multiple occasions and had reason to think we had a friendly relationship.’

Reflecting on the moment in question, he explained, ‘When I saw him at the Golden Globes party, I was excited to reconnect. I made an over-familiar gesture—a slap on the rear—which I intended as playful and not in any Sєxual way whatsoever. 

‘I quickly realized I had misjudged the situation. I apologized to him on the spot, and the following day I made sure my apology was reiterated through my representatives.’

Despite Abbasi’s attempt to downplay the situation, ᴅᴇᴀᴅline reported on Friday, Feb. 21, that he parted ways with both CAA and Management 360 after allegedly groping the actor while intoxicated, according to sources.

The Apprentice director Ali Abbasi has spoken out after being accused of groping an A-list actor —an allegation that reportedly led to his split from powerhouse talent agencies CAA and Entertainment 360; (seen in February 2025)

‘The suggestion that I was dropped by my representation due to this interaction is false,’ Abbasi continued in his statement. ‘My decision to part ways was a long-term career decision that was not shaped by short-term motivations.’

‘I believe in taking accountability for my actions; I made a mistake, I apologized and have learned a valuable life lesson. I remain grateful for the incredible work of our cast, crew and supporters on The Apprentice, and I hope the focus stays on their achievements.’

In a previous statement to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline regarding his recent change in representation, Abbasi said: ‘I can confirm that I’ve made the decision to move in a new direction with my career. I’m grateful for the work CAA and Entertainment 360 have done, particularly their commitment to The Apprentice, which remains a project I’m incredibly proud of. I look forward to announcing my next steps at the appropriate time.’

The Apprentice, which chronicles Donald Trump’s early career, has garnered two Oscar nominations: Best Actor for Sebastian Stan and Best Supporting Actor for Jeremy Strong. 

Abbasi is up for an Independent Spirit Award for best director this weekend. 

Abbasi’s filmography also includes Holy Spider (2022), Border (2018), and Shelley (2016).

He also directed the last two episodes of the first season of HBO’s popular series The Last of Us, starring Pedro Pascal. 

The Apprentice has faced legal hurdles from Trump’s attorneys seeking to block its release.

Despite its challenges, the movie, featuring Sebastian as Trump and Jeremy as Republican operative Roy Cohn, has received mostly positive reviews.

The film, which follows Trump’s real estate career, has been at the centre of a media storm after it was slammed by Donald himself.

The Iranian-Danish filmmaker was said to be ‘inebriated’ when he allegedly ‘aggressively groped an A-list, CAA-repped actor’ at CAA’s Golden Globes after party in January, as per ᴅᴇᴀᴅline; seen in 2024

Sources close to Abbasi say he was ‘explicitly advised not to be in contact with the actor’ after the incident, while others say CAA wanted him to apologize; seen in 2024

Amid the groping allegation, Abbasi has split with CAA and Entertainment 360, though he has not addressed the accusations directly

‘I can confirm that I’ve made the decision to move in a new direction with my career. I’m grateful for the work CAA and Entertainment 360 have done, particularly their commitment to The Apprentice, which remains a project I’m incredibly proud of,’ he said in a statement; Pictured with The Apprentice stars (l-r) Sebastian, Maria Bakalova, and Jeremy

Abbasi is up for an Independent Spirit Award for best director this weekend; seen with Bakalova at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2024

It includes controversial scenes including one where Trump Sєxually ᴀssaults his then-wife, Ivana Trump, and one where he gets liposuction and surgery to cover up a growing bald spot at the back of his head.

Trump called the movie ‘FAKE’ and ‘CLASSLESS’ on Truth Social, adding that it ‘will hopefully ‘bomb.”

‘It’s a cheap, defamatory, and politically disgusting hatchet job, put out right before the 2024 Presidential Election, to try and hurt the Greatest Political Movement in the History of our Country,’ he said.

Meanwhile Abbasi said he considered casting a woman in the lead role.

‘There was a time before I started talking to Sebastian I thought that maybe it should be an actress playing Trump,’ Abbasi revealed at the D.C. screening. ‘Because I thought there was something awkward and off about his body language and I wanted to have that. I wanted to sort of play with that. And we tried it.’

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Abbasi wouldn’t reveal which actresses he spoke to about portraying Trump on the big screen, though he did say that he reached out to Cate Blanchett for advice, as she did a ‘great job’ playing Bob Dylan.

In the end, he dropped the idea, as it ‘became too gimmicky.’