In a deeply troubling development, actress Taryn Manning made a desperate phone call last month to her alleged former lover Holliann 'Holli' Hartman, pleading for assistance while claiming she was bleeding and had lost a tooth following an alleged physical altercation with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. The exclusive audio, obtained by the Daily Mail, captures the 47-year-old Orange Is the New Black alum in a state of extreme distress, tearfully asserting, "He kicked me last night."
Audio Evidence and Denials
The man implicated in these serious allegations is paparazzo Ricardo 'Rick' Mendoza, whom the Daily Mail exclusively revealed has been in a relationship with Manning since 2024. In the recorded conversation, Mendoza can be heard vehemently denying the accusations, responding with, "I did not! Oh my God, oh my God," before suggesting the troubled actress had been intoxicated throughout the day. Manning, however, remained insistent amid her tears, questioning, "My tooth is gone. Where did my tooth go? I'm in so much pain. He thinks I'm faking it."
Hartman's Intervention and Hospital Visit
Hartman, 36, who was on the other end of the line, demanded that Mendoza leave the premises so she could go and assist Manning, who continued to weep uncontrollably. Manning further elaborated on the situation, claiming there was "blood everywhere and he's filming me naked. I'm so upset. I'm so embarrassed. My tooth is gone. I'm not going to throw anyone under the bus. I just want out of this situation." In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Hartman claimed she eventually reached Manning's Palm Springs, California property and transported her to the hospital for medical attention. "We were at the hospital all night long, but of course she never pressed charges," stated the former makeup artist, who has been part of Manning's life for over a decade.
Conflicting Accounts and Retractions
Following the alleged incident, Manning herself claimed in a since-deleted Instagram video from March that Mendoza "beat the c**p out of" her, resulting in a torn lip and damaged ligament. However, in a subsequent statement to the Daily Mail, Manning completely reversed her position, denying that Mendoza ever attacked her. "Any suggestion that Rick Mendoza has harmed me is completely false," she declared. "What is being referenced appears to come from moments where we were informally acting, rehearsing or recording material, which is something we regularly do. Any audio or footage taken out of that context would be misleading and does not reflect reality. Rick and I have been getting to know each other over time, and there is no truth to the claims being made about him."
Complex Relationship Dynamics
Hartman has asserted that she has been romantically involved with Manning on and off over the years, a claim that Manning has firmly denied. Hartman also expressed growing concern among Manning's inner circle since the actress began dating Mendoza. "She used to pray and used to try to watch Jesus all the time," Hartman claimed. "Now she literally tells me '666' and 'I've put a hex on you. Satan all the way.' I mean, it's bad. She threatens my life now. She's not who she was back then at all." Hartman further suggested that alcohol dependency may be a contributing factor, stating, "I don't know if it's the alcoholism that has rotted her brain, but it's really escalated. Rick pulls out the abuser in her so much so that she thinks that it's life now." Mendoza has denied Hartman's allegations and challenged her credibility.
History of Volatility and Legal Issues
The Daily Mail has obtained text messages that Manning purportedly sent to Hartman, which appear to corroborate these allegations of demonic references and volatile behavior. Manning also appears to have a documented history of exhibiting violent tendencies. In a recently leaked video, the 8 Mile star was seen physically attacking Hartman. The Daily Mail has exclusively obtained a second video showing Manning lunging at Hartman during a separate altercation. Hartman denied ever striking back, though the clip does not show what occurred before or after the lunge.
In an Instagram video posted last week, Manning dismissed Hartman as a "random girl that was a fan that I befriended 18 years ago" whom she was attempting to help keep off the streets. However, the former makeup artist claimed their relationship is far more profound, alleging they have been "in love" in the past and even got engaged in the fall of 2023. Hartman claimed that Manning was experiencing a difficult period at that time due to her public support of convicted rapist Danny Masterson. According to Hartman, that was when the actress allegedly told her, "You really are always there for me," and proposed.
Text Messages and Relationship Claims
The Daily Mail obtained texts that seemingly show the two women repeatedly declaring their love for one another and planning their future together. One message from Manning purportedly read: "Let's get married. Asap. My beautiful wife. I love you Holli." Another stated: "My heart is exploding. Cause I love you so much it hurts. [You're] my baby angel. Let's get a baby." Hartman told the Daily Mail, "I've always been under the impression that she's in love with me and this is what we're doing and this is what we're working toward. But it's literally been her excuse to have her cake and eat it, too. She doesn't care about not being with women. She just doesn't want to be tied down to one woman."
Manning has not publicly defined her sexuality, and the Daily Mail reviewed texts she purportedly sent in which she denied being gay. However, Manning has been in a public relationship with actress Anne Cline. In 2021, TMZ reported that Manning and Cline were engaged, though they reportedly split just two months after the proposal.
Past Incidents and Arrests
Hartman told the Daily Mail she first met Manning in 2010 at one of the actress's concerts, forming a strong friendship that later turned sexual and increasingly volatile around 2012. In October of that year, Manning was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault following a physical altercation with Hartman, who had been working as Manning's makeup artist and assistant. Speaking about the incident for the first time, Hartman alleged that Manning lunged across hotel beds, punched and hit her, pinned her with a foot, and later roundhouse kicked her in the face, causing injuries to her eyelids.
Manning was placed on six months probation and one day of community service, leading to the dismissal of her charge, according to news outlets. The case files have since been sealed by the Manhattan Criminal Court. Despite the volatility, the women remained in contact. In 2016, Hartman attempted to file a restraining order against Manning in Los Angeles for allegedly headbutting her, spraying Windex in her eyes, and putting her in a headlock, per court documents obtained by TMZ. Manning denied any wrongdoing via her lawyers at the time, and the order was denied because the incident occurred in New York.
Recent Developments and Financial Disputes
Hartman has also encountered legal troubles, including a 2023 arrest for allegedly stealing Manning's 2004 Chrysler Crossfire. She claimed the district attorney never filed charges. Hartman alleged she dated Manning until the actress began spending more time with Mendoza, though they remained in contact. The ex-assistant claimed she recently tried to help Manning with household work, leading to a financial dispute over payment. Over the weekend, Hartman claimed to the Daily Mail that she was forced into homelessness after Manning said she could no longer live in her studio. Both parties have since confirmed that the debt has been settled.
Manning's Response and Career Concerns
Hartman stated she is speaking out against Manning because she finally realized Manning "doesn't have any goodwill" toward her. In response to Hartman's allegations, Manning told the Daily Mail, "I want to be clear that there is significantly more context to this situation than what's being presented. There is a long and complicated personal history here, and over the years I have consistently tried to be supportive, including during very difficult and sensitive situations. At this point, it feels like I'm being pulled into something that is rooted in personal choices and the way those are now being handled."
She continued, "Many of the allegations being shared are inaccurate, taken out of context or part of a broader situation that is not being fully represented. Publishing one-sided claims without that context can be misleading and potentially harmful. This is a deeply personal matter, and I'm not willing to escalate it further in the press. My focus is on my work, my safety and moving forward in a healthy and stable way. Out of respect for everyone involved, I won't be expanding beyond this. She's been paid. So weird."
Concern for Manning has escalated in recent years due to her disheveled appearance on social media and viral bizarre rants. When the Daily Mail spoke to her in February, she denied having alcohol issues and highlighted her "decades of consistent work, formal training and ongoing creative output as a signed artist." However, she admitted to struggling with her tumultuous relationship with Mendoza, whom she accused of "harassing" her and leaking nude photos on Instagram without permission. "He scares me, to be honest," she said at the time, while also denying that Mendoza ever physically harmed her. "He's hurt a lot of women - not physically, but he's broken a lot of hearts," she added. "He actually got me good, but I can't deal with him anymore."
A text message exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail appears to reveal Manning's inner turmoil regarding her Hollywood career. In December 2023, she purportedly wrote, "So frustrating just want to be able to have some way to make money with my career and my history earning it. I'm sure you would want that too but you wouldn't ever not get that I can't just get a normal Job like you."
