Zoey 101 Alum Alexa Nikolas Settles Defamation Suit Against Former NBC News Reporter Kat Tenbarge, Apology Issued
Alexa Nikolas, known for her role in Zoey 101, has announced the settlement of her defamation lawsuit against former NBC News reporter Kat Tenbarge. The settlement follows Tenbarge’s public apology, which she shared on social media.
Background of the Lawsuit
Nikolas filed the lawsuit in September 2024, alleging defamation related to Tenbarge’s comments regarding records involving fellow Nickelodeon star Drake Bell. Both Nikolas and Bell participated in the 2024 docu-series Quiet on Set, which examined toxic behavior on the sets of popular children’s shows from the 1990s and 2000s.
The lawsuit claimed that Tenbarge misrepresented Nikolas’s actions, stating that she had publicly disclosed sealed court documents and police records to undermine an underage victim claiming sexual abuse. The lawsuit clarified that the documents in question were public records and that Nikolas, a noted advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, did not attack the victim but rather scrutinized the public narrative surrounding the claims.
Allegations Against Tenbarge
The legal documents asserted that Tenbarge facilitated the violation of a restraining order against Nikolas’s stalker to further her narrative. It was also alleged that Tenbarge relied on anonymous and biased sources, disregarding evidence provided by Nikolas that demonstrated the public nature of the documents.
Nikolas’s legal team emphasized that the lawsuit aimed to hold Tenbarge accountable for prioritizing false narratives over factual reporting to enhance her public image.
In a previous post, Nikolas stated, “Kat lied to everyone. And defamed me. With malicious intent. These documents shared privately to her via a Gdrive when questioned by her were not SEALED. I sent them to show her that they were not sealed. They are public redacted records.”
Settlement Announcement
On June 27, 2026, Nikolas confirmed the settlement on social media, stating, “Kat Tenbarge and I have settled. Here is her written apology. The truth always prevails. I will be making a video in the upcoming days.”
Nikolas had initially sought compensatory damages of at least $150,000, along with punitive damages and attorney fees.
Tenbarge’s Apology
Tenbarge issued a lengthy apology in her social media post, acknowledging her errors in judgment. She clarified that she had received redacted court and police records concerning Drake Bell from a producer, which were not obtained from Bell or his attorneys. Tenbarge admitted to mistakenly stating that the documents were sealed and that they contained personal identifying information about the victim, which was not the case.
She expressed regret for the distress her comments caused Nikolas and acknowledged that her statements may have impacted Nikolas’s reputation. Tenbarge also noted that third parties had propagated false information based on her comments and called for the removal of such content.
Additionally, Tenbarge retracted her previous questioning of Nikolas regarding her advocacy group, Eat Predators, which aims to combat sexual abuse and predatory behavior in the entertainment industry. She recognized that Nikolas was the sole creator of the group and did not misappropriate ideas from others.
Commitment to Improved Reporting Standards
In her apology, Tenbarge committed to exercising greater caution in her future reporting. She acknowledged the need to independently verify claims made by anonymous sources and to approach the biases of sources with greater sensitivity.
Tenbarge concluded her apology with a promise to improve her judgment regarding interactions with biased sources and to avoid engaging with unverified accounts that could cause real-world harm.
Conclusion
The settlement marks a significant moment for both parties involved. Nikolas, an activist and actress, continues to advocate for survivors of abuse, while Tenbarge, who was laid off from NBC News in February 2025, has since launched her own newsletter, Spitfire News, focusing on internet culture, politics, and media.
As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.
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Published on 2026-06-28 23:52:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk