So, you’ve probably seen the girl in the red bikini. You know the one—the blonde woman on the Grand Theft Auto V loading screen holding up a peace sign and a smartphone. For years, people swore it was Lindsay Lohan. Then, for another few years, people swore it was Kate Upton. Honestly, the whole thing became such a mess of internet rumors that the actual legal drama got buried under a mountain of memes.
Lohan didn't just think it looked like her; she sued. She went all in against Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive. It wasn't just about a single picture, either. It was a massive 67-page complaint that basically accused the developers of strip-mining her entire persona to sell more copies of a game that was already breaking every sales record in existence.
But here’s the thing: she lost. Twice. And the reason she lost actually changed how video games are protected under law.
What Was the Lindsay Lohan Grand Theft Auto V Lawsuit Actually About?
In 2014, Lohan filed a suit claiming that the character Lacey Jonas was an "unequivocal" reference to her. If you’ve played the game, you remember Lacey. She’s the high-maintenance actress you find hiding in an alleyway in Vinewood, desperately trying to duck the paparazzi.
Lohan’s legal team argued that Rockstar didn't just copy her look; they copied her life. They pointed out several "striking" similarities:
- The character hides from the paparazzi (a staple of Lohan’s mid-2000s life).
- Lacey Jonas mentions starring in rom-coms and "dance-off" movies.
- The game features the Chateau Marmont, a hotel where Lohan actually lived for a while.
- The "signature" peace sign and the specific style of Fedora and sunglasses.
It sounds like a lot when you stack it all up. Lohan’s lawyers even claimed Rockstar used her voice and outfits from her actual clothing line. They were convinced that because people in the "general public" were confused and thought it was her, she had a slam-drunk case for "consumer confusion."
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The "Bikini Girl" Misconception
Wait, we need to clear something up right now. You know that famous artwork of the blonde woman in the red bikini? The one everyone thought was the center of the lawsuit?
That isn't even Lindsay Lohan. It isn't Kate Upton either.
The woman in the artwork is actually based on a model named Shelby Welinder. Rockstar literally hired her to pose for that specific illustration. Welinder even went as far as posting a photo of her paycheck from Rockstar on Twitter (now X) just to get people to stop arguing about it. Despite this being public knowledge for years, the myth that it's Lohan still pops up every time someone re-installs the game.
Why the Courts Sided With Rockstar
The legal battle dragged on for years. It eventually reached the New York Court of Appeals, which is the highest court in the state. In 2018, they finally put the nail in the coffin.
The judges didn't just say "this doesn't look like her." They went deeper. They ruled that even if an avatar in a video game is a "portrait" (a big win for celebrities, actually), the Lacey Jonas character was basically just a "generic twentysomething woman."
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Basically, the court decided that being a blonde actress who wears sunglasses and hates paparazzi isn't a unique enough identity to sue over. It's a trope. It's a caricature of an entire era of Hollywood culture.
The ruling specifically noted that Grand Theft Auto V is a work of satire and fiction. Because the game doesn't use Lohan’s actual name or a real photograph of her, it falls under First Amendment protection. This was a massive relief for the gaming industry. If Lohan had won, it would have been nearly impossible for developers to parody celebrities without getting sued into oblivion.
The Karen Gravano Connection
Lohan wasn't the only one. Karen Gravano, daughter of Gambino crime family underboss Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, also sued. She claimed the character Antonia Bottino was based on her life story and phrases. Her case was bundled with Lohan's and met the same fate. The court essentially said that satire is protected, even if it hits close to home.
The Lasting Impact on GTA VI and Beyond
Why does any of this matter in 2026? Because we’re seeing history repeat itself.
When the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI dropped, the "Florida Joker" (Lawrence Sullivan) immediately started demanding money from Rockstar, claiming they used his likeness for a character with face tattoos.
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Because of the precedent set in the Lindsay Lohan Grand Theft Auto V case, Rockstar knows exactly where the line is. They can lean into "cultural comments" and "indistinct satirical representations" because the courts have already ruled that gamers can tell the difference between a fictional avatar and a real person.
The "Lohan Lawsuit" basically became the shield that protects Rockstar’s right to make fun of everyone.
Key Takeaways from the Legal Saga
- Satire is King: Courts view GTA as a work of fiction, not a commercial advertisement for the people it parodies.
- Generic Traits Aren't Protected: You can't "own" a peace sign, a bikini, or a generic "starlet" persona.
- Avatars are "Portraits": This was the one win for Lohan—the court agreed that a digital character could theoretically count as a likeness, just not in this specific case.
- Know Your Models: The loading screen girl is Shelby Welinder. Period.
What This Means for You
If you're a creator or just a fan, this story is a masterclass in where reality ends and parody begins. The next time you see a character in a game that looks suspiciously like a real-life celebrity, remember that "looking like" isn't the same as "being."
If you want to dive deeper into the legal side of things, you can actually read the full 2018 ruling from the New York Court of Appeals. It's surprisingly readable for a legal document and lays out exactly why your favorite games are allowed to be as offensive and satirical as they are.
Keep an eye on the upcoming GTA VI release. You can bet there will be more lawsuits, but thanks to Lindsay Lohan, Rockstar already has the playbook to win them.
Next Steps for You
- Verify the Artwork: Search for Shelby Welinder's original Rockstar photoshoot to see the real inspiration behind the "Bikini Girl."
- Compare the Characters: Re-play the "Escape Paparazzi" mission in GTA V and look for the specific dialogue cues the court called "satirical representations."
- Watch the Florida Joker Saga: Follow how Lawrence Sullivan's claims against Rockstar are being handled to see the Lohan precedent in action in real-time.