A $5 million defamation lawsuit filed by adult film star Emily Willis against fellow performer Gianna Dior was dismissed without prejudice on Monday after no representative appeared for Willis during a critical hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court, AVN reports.
The dismissal, handed down by Judge Michael Small, effectively halts the case unless a formal legal motion is filed to revive it. That outcome is now considered unlikely given Willis’ ongoing medical incapacitation and the legal complications surrounding her representation.
Why Did Emily Willis Sue Gianna Dior?
Willis sued Dior in 2023 following Dior’s alleged insinuation on social media that Willis was involved in a video depicting women engaging in sexual acts with a dog. This clip circulated among adult industry circles in 2021. Although Willis was never confirmed to be in the video, Dior’s alleged implication caused a reputational firestorm.
Willis claimed Dior’s comments were defamatory and led to severe damage to her mental health, career, and public standing. She sought $5 million in damages, asserting that Dior had recklessly contributed to the spread of a false and career-ruining rumor.
Did the Judge Give A Warning Before Dismissing the Case?
Monday’s dismissal was not unexpected. Judge Small previously warned the parties in March 2025 that failure to appear would result in dismissal. At that point, Willis’s attorney had withdrawn from the case, citing communication breakdowns with both Willis and her mother. No replacement counsel was appointed.
Willis’ mother, who has acted informally as her advocate since early 2024, failed to file the necessary legal motion to be appointed guardian ad litem, a court-approved representative for incapacitated individuals. Without such an appointment, the case could not proceed.
Dior’s legal team was present for the hearing. With no representative for the plaintiff, Judge Small dismissed the case without prejudice. That means it can be refiled, but only if Willis’ side takes the correct legal steps. That now appears unlikely.
How Did Emily Willis End Up Incapacitated?
The failure to maintain legal action stems directly from Willis’ deteriorating health. In February 2024, TMZ reported that she had been hospitalized at a Malibu rehabilitation facility due to the result of an overdose. Later reports confirmed Willis suffered a heart attack during inpatient treatment for ketamine addiction.
Since then, Willis has remained in a non-responsive or severely incapacitated state. In December 2024, her mother filed a separate lawsuit against the Malibu facility, accusing it of negligence that directly led to her daughter’s medical emergency. That lawsuit remains active in Los Angeles County.
Case Dismissed, But Damage Endures
The dismissal ends what could have been one of the most explosive defamation cases in adult entertainment history, but without any ruling on the central claim. Dior has not issued a public statement on the dismissal, nor has she addressed the original allegations since the lawsuit was filed.
