I’m really shocked and saddened to hear the allegations against Jeremy Renner, who I’ve always enjoyed watching as Hawkeye in the Marvel movies. It seems his ex-partner, Yi Zhou, is claiming he was abusive and sent her unwanted explicit content. They weren’t just romantically involved, they were also working together on a documentary and an animated film, which makes this whole situation even more complicated and disheartening.
Zhou made these claims on both Instagram and in an article with the Daily Mail. However, she didn’t share exactly the same information on each platform.
According to an interview with Daily Mail, Zhou alleges that Renner became upset while they were collaborating on a project at his house. Zhou claims Renner consumed a bottle of wine and then spent two hours shouting angrily.
I was really disturbed to hear that she actually had to lock herself in a room just to feel safe. She said she was genuinely terrified for her life, and it just breaks my heart to think about what she must have been going through.
I was talking about the arrangements for a document when he suddenly drank an entire bottle of wine by himself and became extremely angry. He spent two hours shouting, and I felt unsafe enough to share my location with my team, family, and coworkers at Disney, just in case something happened. I locked myself in a room and prayed he wouldn’t come in, as I was terrified for my life and didn’t say a word.
On November 3, 2025, filmmaker Yi Zhou publicly accused Jeremy Renner of harmful behavior in a series of Instagram posts. She stated she had been dealing with his actions for months and felt forced to live in fear for her safety and experienced significant emotional distress due to his treatment of her.
In her initial Instagram post, Zhou claimed that Renner sent her unwanted, explicit photos of himself and indicated he was interested in a serious, long-term relationship with her.
The full caption from Zhou’s first Instagram post can be seen below:
I’m sharing something difficult with deep sadness and regret, something I’ve kept to myself for too long. Over the past few months, I’ve been afraid for my safety and deeply upset by how I’ve been treated. No woman, or anyone in the film industry, should have to work under that kind of emotional and psychological stress while trying to protect themselves and their work.
I’m asking my fellow filmmakers, Academy voters, industry colleagues, and other women to support me. I’m heartbroken that a project meant to celebrate and support behind-the-scenes artists – ‘Chronicles of Disney,’ a film about Disney’s history – has been harmed by online harassment and the actions of Jeremy Renner. Mr. Renner contacted me in June and sent me personal, intimate photos, which, according to reports, he’s done before. He told me he’d been single for a while and was looking for a serious relationship, and I believed him. I thought we could build something real, and I believed in the possibility of a positive connection.
According to a second post by Zhou, Renner reportedly let untrue statements circulate about her and the creation of Chronicles of Disney, a documentary where Renner appears as a cast member.
Zhou also said that Renner privately threatened to report her to immigration authorities (ICE) when she confronted him about his behavior, which she found deeply upsetting and frightening.
The full caption from Zhou’s second Instagram post can be seen below:
After reaching agreements with my company, Into the Sun Films, Jeremy Renner gave written permission to use his image, past work, social media, and even his foundation in our film project. However, since the film’s release two weeks ago, he has refused to publicly support it, despite our many requests. Instead, he’s allowed false claims – that the documentary was created using AI and that he wasn’t involved – to spread online. These claims are simply not true. Current laws, including those in California, clearly state that AI tools can’t use someone’s likeness without their express permission.
When I privately confronted him about his behavior and asked him to treat me with respect as a woman and a filmmaker, he threatened to report me to immigration authorities. This was deeply shocking and frightening. This kind of behavior highlights the power imbalance that continues to harm women in the film industry.
This misinformation and intimidation have damaged my reputation and undermined the hard work of everyone who contributed to the film. The project, along with our animated film ‘Stardust Future,’ was created to support his foundation, help victims of the January disaster through MPTF, and promote a positive vision of the future.
I’m deeply disappointed to see the truth twisted and power used to silence me. Organizations like amfAR and media outlets that celebrate Mr. Renner’s philanthropy should reconsider their support, as charitable work shouldn’t excuse harmful behavior.
Zhou also told the Daily Mail that Renner didn’t try to correct false information being spread about her. She claims that when she brought it to his attention, he stated he didn’t know the people making the claims and that he couldn’t control what others said.
Zhou’s third Instagram post didn’t directly accuse Renner of anything new, but focused on speaking out against abuse overall. She did mention, however, that she continues to feel significant “pain and humiliation” because of what Renner did.
The full caption for Zhou’s third Instagram post can be seen below:
Hollywood needs to be a place free from exploitation – of power, of affection, and of both women and artistic integrity.
I’m sharing these thoughts to expose the hidden realities within the industry, and the ongoing mistreatment of women, Asian filmmakers, and creators in general. Many don’t have the platform or media attention that I do, and I hope by sharing my experience, we can challenge this imbalance of power. It feels like a sudden, shocking storm.
It took me a long time to find the courage to speak out, and I’m grateful for the support of my team, agents, managers, friends, and other women who helped me share this painful experience.
In her fourth Instagram post, Zhou discussed learning about Jeremy Renner’s past, saying she was surprised by what she discovered. However, she also expressed her belief that those events were from a previous phase of his life and that he had since changed.
In her fourth post, Zhou states that Renner’s behavior has made her feel unable to speak up, scared, and worried about losing jobs or chances in the film industry.
Zhou also stated that the two projects she and Renner collaborated on – Chronicles of Disney and Stardust Future – were intended to benefit Renner’s personal foundation.
The full caption from Zhou’s fourth Instagram post can be seen below:
As a film enthusiast and the creator of ‘Chronicles of Disney,’ I’m sharing a difficult experience. While we can’t make anyone support our documentary, it’s been incredibly disheartening, especially since the project benefits causes Jeremy Renner himself champions – wildfire relief through the MPTF and the work of behind-the-line artists we’re honoring. Disney graciously allowed us to make the film, given Jeremy’s long relationship with the company. Honestly, this whole experience has been a painful lesson in how easily we, as women and creatives, can be misled, not just by others, but by our own optimistic belief in people.
I was shocked to learn about past allegations through articles shared by some of his fans, but I wanted to believe he’d changed, especially after his accident. Sadly, recent events have proven otherwise. My team and I have been tirelessly battling waves of hateful, often false, accusations online – claims that our documentary is AI-generated and fake. It’s incredibly frustrating to have our work dismissed and defamed, especially during Oscar season, and to receive absolutely no public support from Jeremy, despite the months of dedication and countless hours our international teams put into it.
I’m speaking out not just for myself, but for every woman who’s been silenced, intimidated, or afraid to speak truth to power for fear of losing opportunities. If we don’t expose what happens behind the scenes, can we ever truly expect justice in this industry, or anywhere else?
After sharing four initial posts, Zhou returned to Instagram on November 4, 2025, and publicly accused Renner of “domestic abuse.” She didn’t share details at the time, but mentioned she was aware of similar accusations made by Renner’s former wife.
Jeremy Renner’s ex-wife, Sonni Pacheco, has previously alleged that he struggled with drug use and was abusive. She stated that Renner threatened her life and once fired a gun while their daughter was nearby.
Zhou stated that she personally went through the same things Pacheco claimed Renner did, and this made her genuinely fear for her safety.
The full caption of Zhou’s first November 4, 2025 Instagram post can be seen below:
There were times when staying silent felt like both protection and a weight to carry. For months, I kept my pain hidden during my relationship with Jeremy Renner, which unfortunately involved domestic abuse. Despite this, I focused on completing my films, ‘Chronicles of Disney’ and ‘Stardust Future,’ and tried to present a positive face to our relationship, even when things were incredibly difficult. Initially, I didn’t believe the allegations made by his former wife. However, after experiencing abuse firsthand and fearing for my life, I was able to cope and finish the films thanks to the support of my team and friends at Disney, while working with them in Italy and China (@intothesunfilms @colorsofthesunventures).
On November 4th, 2025, I was really disturbed to read a post from Zhou on Instagram. She shared that Renner had repeatedly sent her unwanted and explicit images, and she detailed those instances publicly. It’s just awful to hear about something like that happening to anyone.
Zhou alleges that Jeremy Renner sent her two photos of himself, followed by unsolicited pornographic images. She states this happened in June 2025.
Zhou said this is how she first met him, and she later learned, through previous news stories, that he had used the same photos to introduce himself to other women before. Zhou also stated that Renner then tried to start a relationship with her, which she admitted was flattering because he was a famous actor.
The full caption of Zhou’s second November 4, 2025 Instagram post can be seen below:
It was June 2025 when I first heard from Jeremy Renner – oddly, with two photos of him, quickly followed by unsolicited, explicit images sent through direct messages and WhatsApp. Apparently, according to what I later read in the media, this was how he’d introduced himself to other women before. We started talking, and he really turned on the charm, leading me to believe he was genuinely interested in a relationship. He played up being a Hollywood star, and honestly, I fell for it. I truly believed in a connection and even invited him to participate in two film projects I was working on – projects that were incredibly important to me. Then, everything changed. I became the target of a vicious online smear campaign, designed to destroy my reputation and derail those same projects. It was devastating. It’s shocking to me that this kind of behavior still happens in Hollywood. I’m deeply concerned for other women who might be targeted and used like this. Hollywood often protects these men and their bad behavior for financial gain, but after #MeToo, shouldn’t we be able to speak up? I’m so grateful to the journalists who have reached out, offering support and helping me share what’s really going on in Hollywood. It’s time for other women to feel safe enough to tell their stories too.
On November 6, 2025, Zhou continued to address the unwanted explicit images she received, sharing another post on Instagram. In the caption, she stated that Renner’s behavior was “a violation of her personal boundaries.”
The filmmaker explained that actions like the one Renner took are demeaning and disrespectful to the person on the receiving end. This kind of behavior, they said, contributes to an environment where people are afraid to speak up.
In her caption, Zhou suggested Renner repeatedly sent her explicit content and that he subsequently treated her poorly.
The full caption of Zhou’s first November 6, 2025 Instagram post can be seen below:
Sending unwanted sexually explicit content to someone, regardless of who sends it, is a violation of personal boundaries and a form of abuse. This is a recurring issue within the entertainment industry, where women often receive inappropriate messages or images from people in positions of power. This behavior is demeaning to the recipient, creates a climate of fear, and discourages people from speaking out. It’s crucial for Hollywood to clearly condemn this conduct and prioritize the safety and respect of women. Organizations like amfAR should not honor individuals accused of this behavior, as it disregards the harm caused to victims, both past and future. There is ample evidence available online documenting this pattern of abuse, where individuals are subjected to unwanted explicit images and subsequent mistreatment – this is unacceptable and needs to stop.
In a separate Instagram post on November 6, 2025, Zhou also claimed that Renner was unfaithful during their relationship. While the exact start date of their romance is unknown, Zhou alleges that Renner was also abusing another woman while they were together.
Zhou also mentioned in her post that she shared some previously unreleased information, suggesting there may be more to the story than what’s currently known.
The filmmaker believes Renner’s problematic behavior might be more widespread than initially understood. She shared that several fans who met Renner at official events have also reported similar inappropriate experiences to her own.
The full caption for another Instagram post Zhou made on November 6, 2025 can be seen below:
I was completely swept away when Jeremy Renner showed interest in me – I genuinely believed in a fairytale romance. I recently learned about his accident and thought it had changed him for the better, which is why I included him in my projects, ‘Chronicles of Disney’ and ‘Stardust Future’. These projects are intended to be 100% charitable, with all proceeds going to the MPTF and below-the-line funds, and no profit for my company. However, this situation has become much more complex. It’s now come to light, thanks to the bravery of @joshtboswell, that he cheated on me with another woman – another victim. I’ve shared new information with Josh that I didn’t include in today’s interview. I admire his investigative work and his willingness to expose what Hollywood tries to hide. Kudos to @joshtboswell and @dailymail for their courage – we need more media outlets to support the truth. There’s more to this story, and more misconduct to be revealed. I’ve been told he frequently pursues fans he meets at events or online, then discards them after sending inappropriate images. It seems to be a pattern of behavior. I’m encouraging other victims to come forward, and I hope the media will help us expose this and make Hollywood a safer place for women.
Currently, Zhou hasn’t shared any further information about Renner, and Renner themselves hasn’t released an official statement.
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2025-11-07 23:41