Hollywood Manager Testifies Social Media Posts Damaged Ioan Gruffudd's Acting Career
Veteran Hollywood manager Maryellen Mulcahy testified in a Los Angeles court on Monday that malicious social media posts by Alice Evans about her ex-husband Ioan Gruffudd have significantly harmed the actor's career. The testimony came on the fifth day of a trial where Gruffudd, 52, is seeking to renew a domestic violence restraining order against Evans.
Impact on Professional Opportunities
Mulcahy stated unequivocally that Evans' posts had a negative impact on Gruffudd's career prospects. "I definitely think they had an impact on his career," she told the court. She explained that when prospective employers, agents, and publicists consider an actor for roles, their first step is typically to conduct online searches.
"And if they come up with stuff like that [Evans' posts] their response is going to be, 'Is there any truth to this?'" Mulcahy continued. "It caused hesitation. It was a problem - one hundred per cent."
Content of the Posts
According to Mulcahy, many of Evans' social media posts about her former spouse contained "malicious, angry and bitter statements that had no basis in truth." Gruffudd himself described Evans' behavior as a "relentless five-year campaign of harassment and abuse" directed at both him and his new wife, Bianca Wallace, 33.
The couple's relationship ended in 2021, culminating in a messy divorce finalized in 2023. Since then, they have been embroiled in a bitter dispute concerning financial matters and custody of their two daughters, Ella, 16, and Elsie, 12.
Financial and Legal Disputes
Evans, 57, claims to be financially destitute and is requesting the court to order Gruffudd to increase his monthly payments. Currently, he provides $1,500 in spousal support and $3,000 in child support for their two daughters.
Gruffudd contends that Evans has "poisoned and alienated" their children against him and seeks to terminate spousal support entirely. He alleges persistent domestic abuse by Evans and multiple violations of the previous restraining order, maintaining that he has already "overpaid" Evans by nearly $400,000.
Attempts at Resolution and Escalation
Mulcahy, who previously managed both Evans and Gruffudd, attempted to persuade Evans to remove the derogatory posts about her ex-husband. "But her response was hostile," Mulcahy recounted. "Her posts were provocative and dangerous and they weren't helpful to the careers of either of them. It was not a good look."
The situation escalated when Evans allegedly turned against Mulcahy, falsely accusing her of knowing "for years" about an affair between Gruffudd and Wallace while he was still married. In an email, Evans wrote to Mulcahy: "He thinks he's God. I have nothing to lose. When someone has nothing to lose they become dangerous."
Threats and Career Implications
Mulcahy described Evans' communications as threatening. "Alice said I was choosing the wrong side and I would go down with him, that I would regret siding with him," Mulcahy testified. "It was threatening. It was scary. I thought she was threatening my career and my business. I thought she was threatening to ruin Ioan's career."
Gruffudd has since moved on with his life, marrying Australian-born Wallace in April and welcoming a daughter, Mia, in November. The court proceedings continue as both parties present their cases regarding the restraining order and financial support arrangements.
