NYC ex-model sues for $10M over use of bikini photo as bawdy prop in comedy ‘Couple’s Retreat’

NYC ex-model sues over use of photo in comedy film

NEW YORK — A former model says she’s appalled that her nearly decade-old bikini photo became a randy prop in the film “Couple’s Retreat.”

Irina Krupnik filed a $10 million defamation lawsuit Thursday in a New York City court against NBC Universal. It distributed the 2009 Vince Vaughn comedy.

Krupnik acknowledges she gave rights to the 2001 picture to a stock agency, which apparently sold it to the filmmakers. The lawsuit says a character in the movie uses her photo as a sexual aid.

Krupnik’s lawsuit says she never would have allowed the picture to be transformed from “a commonplace swimwear ad to softcore pornography.” The 30-year-old makeup artist says it’s hurting her reputation.

NBC Universal says it had the rights to use the photo.