Full Breakdown
Former Medieval Times Queen Sues Over Alleged Retaliation and Wardrobe Sabotage
6/20/2026, 2:31:00 AM
Allegations of Retaliation and Wardrobe Sabotage
Kaitlyn Farrell, a former “Queen” at Medieval Times’ Buena Park venue, filed a civil complaint asserting that after reporting pervasive sexual misconduct and gender-based discrimination, management retaliated by engineering a “wardrobe malfunction.” The complaint states a supervisor ordered a subordinate to remove stitching from Farrell’s performance dresses, intending to cause public embarrassment and emotional distress.
Workplace Environment at Buena Park Medieval Times
The complaint describes a culture in which male and female cast members were treated differently, unwanted romantic advances toward female staff were normalized, and management dismissed reports of inappropriate behavior. When Farrell reported a horse trainer’s conduct, the trainer replied that the employee “probably just has a crush on you,” and later allegedly acted hostile toward her, endangering her safety during animal interactions.
Key Figures
- Kaitlyn Farrell – former “Queen” and plaintiff.
- Unnamed supervisor – alleged orchestrator of the wardrobe sabotage.
- Head horse trainer – responded dismissively to Farrell’s harassment report.
- Jessica Ludd – attorney representing Farrell.
- Medieval Times spokesperson – issued a public denial of wrongdoing.
Timeline of Events
- May 31 2019 – Farrell begins work as Queen at the Buena Park castle.
- Nov 2022 – Cast members vote to unionize.
- Feb 2023 – Union-led strike begins over pay, conditions, and animal treatment.
- During strike (2023) – Farrell reports a cyber-bullying campaign involving two anonymous social-media accounts.
- Nine months after strike – Farrell returns, reports continued harassment, and receives a legal letter dismissing her complaints.
- Early 2024 – Alleged wardrobe sabotage occurs; Farrell’s shifts are reduced.
- Feb 2024 – Farrell quits, citing constructive discharge.
- June 2024 – Complaint filed; Medieval Times issues a denial.
Data & Statistics
- Union vote in Nov 2022 resulted in a majority favoring collective bargaining.
- Strike lasted from Feb 2023 until roughly Nov 2023 (nine months).
- Two anonymous accounts (one Instagram, one Twitter) were cited for repeated sexual harassment, doxxing, and defamation.
Impact and Significance
The lawsuit raises questions about employer responsibility for preventing gender-based harassment, the limits of protected speech under the National Labor Relations Act, and the effectiveness of internal reporting mechanisms in large entertainment venues. It also highlights the potential legal exposure of companies that fail to address alleged retaliation during labor disputes.
Official Statements & Responses
Medieval Times said it “takes all reasonable steps to prevent discrimination” and that the complaint should be dismissed with prejudice. The company denied any wrongdoing. Attorney Jessica Ludd declined to discuss details beyond the complaint, stating the firm “looks forward to proving the allegations in court.”
Criticism & Opposition
Farrell contended that management censored union supporters on social media and used confidential employee information to fuel a cyber-bullying campaign. She described the company’s dismissal of her complaints as “extreme hypocrisy,” noting she was reassigned to a matinee show that explicitly condemns cyberbullying while the alleged harassment continued.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The complaint does not disclose the specific method by which the stitching was removed from Farrell’s dresses, leaving the exact mechanism of the alleged sabotage unclear. Medieval Times characterizes the online images as “protected speech,” while the plaintiff argues they constitute harassment, creating a factual dispute over the legal classification of the content.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We look forward to proving the allegations in court.” — Jessica Ludd, Attorney for Kaitlyn Farrell
- “They’ve been censoring us, they’ve been censoring our supporters on social media,” — Kaitlyn Farrell, former Medieval Times Queen, told CBS News
- “probably just has a crush on you.” — Head horse trainer, response to Farrell’s harassment report
- “all reasonable steps to prevent discrimination,” — Medieval Times spokesperson
What’s Next
The case is scheduled for trial, where Farrell seeks monetary damages for lost wages and emotional distress, as well as attorneys’ fees and court costs. Medieval Times’ denial suggests it will continue to contest the claims, potentially leading to further litigation over the alleged retaliation and workplace environment.
