You’ve seen her. Even if you didn't know it was her. Stunt performer Devyn LaBella has been the invisible engine behind some of the most intense physical moments in recent cinema and television. She’s the one taking the hits, falling from heights, and contorting her body in ways that seem physically impossible.
Most people know the names of the stars. They know the directors. But the people who actually hit the pavement? They usually stay in the shadows. Honestly, that’s just the nature of the gig. But lately, Devyn LaBella has been making headlines for reasons that have nothing to do with a perfectly executed backflip.
The Physicality of the Craft
Devyn isn't just someone who "does stunts." She’s a high-level athlete. We’re talking about a Level 9 gymnast with multiple California State Champion titles. That kind of background isn't just a hobby; it’s a foundation. When you see her working as the stunt performer Devyn LaBella, you’re seeing years of Junior Olympics training and track-and-field discipline.
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She's a bit of a polymath in the stunt world.
- Aerial Silks: She’s a professional aerialist.
- Contortion: She can move in ways that make most people’s backs hurt just watching.
- Martial Arts: Trained in Taekwondo and fight choreography.
- Creature Work: This is a niche skill—playing monsters or non-human entities that require specific, often painful, movement patterns.
She’s doubled for some big names. You might have seen her work while watching America Ferrera in Barbie—a film that earned her a SAG Award nomination as part of the stunt ensemble. Or maybe you caught her doubling for Jenna Dewan in The Rookie or Alexa Nisenson in Fear the Walking Dead. She’s been in the trenches of Yellowjackets, 9-1-1, and Star Trek: Picard.
Basically, if a character is doing something dangerous or weirdly athletic on a major network show, there’s a decent chance it’s her.
Why Devyn LaBella is in the News (The Horizon Controversy)
It’s impossible to talk about her right now without mentioning the lawsuit involving Kevin Costner’s Western epic, Horizon: An American Saga. This isn't just industry gossip; it’s a serious legal battle that has sparked massive conversations about onset safety and consent.
In May 2025, LaBella filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles. The allegations are heavy. She claims that while working as the lead stunt double for Ella Hunt on Horizon: Chapter 2, she was subjected to a "violent, unscripted" simulated rape scene.
According to the legal filings, the set-up was supposed to be a standard non-intimate scene. But LaBella alleges that Costner—acting as director—suddenly changed the plan. She claims she was directed to perform a violent sexual assault scene without the presence of an intimacy coordinator, which is a major breach of standard industry protocols.
"She experienced shock, embarrassment, and humiliation while attempting to process the situation," the lawsuit states.
Costner’s legal team has fired back, calling the claims meritless. They argue that the scene was explained, rehearsed, and that she even gave a "thumbs up" during the process. It’s a classic "he said, she said" but with the weight of SAG-AFTRA regulations behind it. This case matters because it highlights the vulnerability of stunt performers. They are hired to be "tough," but that shouldn't mean their personal boundaries don't exist.
Beyond the Lawsuit: A Career of Versatility
If you look past the headlines, her resume is actually kind of insane. She doesn't just stick to one lane. She’s done creature work for American Horror Stories, playing the "Rubber Woman." That requires a specific type of physicality—part dance, part nightmare.
She also has a solid acting background. She’s a graduate of the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) and has been trained in the Meisner technique. This is why you’ll see her credited as a "Stunt Actor" or "Co-Star" in shows like CSI: Vegas and Quantum Leap. She can deliver lines just as well as she can take a punch.
And then there's the American Ninja Warrior phase. She spent years training for the show, even working with veteran contestants to hone her grip strength and agility. It shows a level of dedication that most people simply don't have. She’s vegan, a pet lover, and honestly seems like someone who just genuinely loves the limit-pushing nature of her job.
What Most People Get Wrong About Stunt Work
People think stunts are just about "being brave." It’s not. It’s about math and physics. If stunt performer Devyn LaBella is doing a wire hit, she has to know exactly where her center of gravity is. One inch off and you’re hitting a wall instead of a mat.
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There’s also a misconception that stunt doubles are just "replacements." In reality, they are partners. They work with the actors to ensure the character's movement remains consistent. When she doubled for Nasim Pedrad in Chad, she had to mimic the specific, awkward gait of a teenage boy. That’s not just athleticism; that’s acting.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Performers
- Diversify your skills: Don't just learn how to fall. Learn how to drive, how to swim (she's SCUBA certified), and how to act.
- Know your rights: The Horizon situation is a reminder that even in a "tough" industry, safety protocols like intimacy coordinators are there for a reason.
- Foundation matters: Her Level 9 gymnastics wasn't a waste of time—it's the reason she has the body awareness to survive a 15-year career.
If you're looking to follow her career, keep an eye on the credits for high-octane dramas and horror films. She’s often the one in the mask, the one under the car, or the one falling from the building. The lawsuit will likely take time to weave through the courts, but her impact on the stunt community is already pretty well cemented.
Next Steps for the Industry:
Keep an eye on the evolving SAG-AFTRA guidelines regarding stunt performers and intimacy. The outcome of the LaBella case could potentially change how "unscripted" action is handled on sets globally, ensuring that "doing the job" never means sacrificing personal safety or consent.