Brett Ratner, the director behind the new Melania documentary, has publicly addressed his appearance in a photograph alongside Jeffrey Epstein, which emerged as part of the latest document release from the Department of Justice. The image, showing Ratner with his arms around a woman whose face is blurred, was taken approximately two decades ago, according to the filmmaker.
Ratner Sets the Record Straight
During an interview with Piers Morgan on Monday, Ratner was keen to clarify the circumstances surrounding the photograph. He explained that the event occurred around 20 to 21 years ago and was attended with his then-fiancée, who invited him. Ratner emphasised that this was his sole encounter with Epstein, stating, "I've never been in contact with Jeffrey Epstein before that photo and I was never in contact with him after."
The woman in the photograph, described by Ratner as his fiancée at the time, has chosen to remain anonymous. "She doesn't want me sharing her name in the case," Ratner told Morgan, but he confirmed her identity as his former partner with certainty. Another woman, also with a blurred face, is seen embracing Epstein in the same image.
A High-Profile Dating History
Ratner, known for directing the Rush Hour franchise and an X-Men film, has had notable relationships with celebrities such as actress Rebecca Gayheart, actress Maggie Q, and tennis star Serena Williams. However, none of these relationships were ongoing at the time the photograph was taken. His only public engagement was with Gayheart, which ended in 1999.
A spokesperson for Ratner reiterated his position to the Daily Mail, saying, "Those photos are from over 20 years ago, from an event I attended with my then-fiancée, who I’m pictured with. I did not know Jeffrey Epstein and do not recall having any subsequent contact with him."
Additional Epstein Files Image
Another photograph released in the Epstein files shows Ratner hugging Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modelling agent and longtime associate of Epstein. Brunel was found dead in a Paris jail cell in 2022 while awaiting trial for rape and sexual assault of minors. In both images, Ratner is wearing a white button-down shirt and jeans.
Ratner's Career and Recent Projects
Ratner's mainstream Hollywood career was significantly impacted by a #MeToo scandal in 2017, when several women accused him of sexual misconduct. He has largely stepped away from the industry since then. His involvement in Trumpworld began after the 2024 election, when Melania Trump's adviser, Marc Beckman, contacted him unexpectedly to propose a documentary about the former first lady.
"He didn't really want to reveal too much, and then when I asked him what it was, he said, oh, she'd like you to do a documentary," Ratner recalled in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail. Having never directed a documentary before, Ratner was surprised but agreed after meeting with Melania at Mar-a-Lago. He filmed the project for 20 days leading up to the 2025 inauguration.
The Melania documentary premiered at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with Ratner in attendance. It has since achieved commercial success, earning $7 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada, making it the best-performing theatrical release for a documentary, excluding concert films, since 2012.
Political Context
The release of the Epstein files continues to generate political ripples. On Monday, President Donald Trump expressed frustration over false claims linking him to Epstein's private island. Epstein's legacy remains a sensitive issue for the administration since Trump's return to office in January.
Ratner was also spotted at the New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, underscoring his continued connection to Trump's circle amidst the ongoing scrutiny.
