- A GoFundMe page set up for the "
Borat 2 " babysitter has reached over $45,000. - The fundraiser was started after it was uncovered that Jeanise Jones, who features as a babysitter to the Borat character's 15-year-old daughter, was unaware she was taking part in a satirical film and was paid only $3,600.
- Speaking with Insider earlier this week, Jones said she thought she was participating in a documentary about the lives of women from impoverished countries and "was shocked" to learn the film was a satirical comedy.
A crowdfunding campaign set up for the "Borat 2" babysitter has hit over $45,000 in less than a week.
The fundraiser was started after it was uncovered that Jeanise Jones, who features as a babysitter to the Borat character's 15-year-old daughter, played by Maria Bakalova, was unaware she was taking part in a satirical film and was paid only $3,600.
In an interview with the entertainment blog Showbiz411, Jones said she received $600 for an initial stage of filming and $3,000 for a final scene but never heard from the crew after. She added that she was out of work in the pandemic.
The GoFundMe page was started by Jones' pastor, Derrick Scobey, who had initially introduced Jones to the "Borat" production team.
Scobey told Insider the "Borat 2" production team approached him to find a "Black grandmother" to take part in a small role for a documentary. All along, he said, both he and Jones believed this was a real documentary about Borat — played by Sacha Baron Cohen — and his daughter.
"Jeanise is nowhere near gullible. In fact, none of us are," Scobey said. "We are very open people." In his interview with Insider, Scobey dubbed the film a "farce" and said it was his responsibility as Jones' pastor to help her.
"As her pastor who loves her and is going to protect her … this money is for her. This is to help her, this is to help her family, especially during COVID," Scobey said, adding that he wanted to give Jones' fans "a vehicle to say thank you in a tangible way."
Jones, 62, is featured in several scenes throughout the comedy sequel, known officially as "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," and she plays an important role in the narrative as she helps to educate Borat's daughter that women and men are equal.
Speaking with Insider earlier this week, Jones said she thought she was participating in a documentary about the lives of women from impoverished countries and "was shocked" to learn the film was a satirical comedy.
"Misled is a kind of harsh word, but we were not aware it would be rated R, let's put it that way," she said. "We were told that the US wasn't going to see it that much, mainly the UK. I didn't think anybody really would see it."
Asked whether she regretted participating in the film under false pretenses, Jones told Insider she did not. "I think it was worth it," Jones said, citing the outpouring of support from strangers who saw the movie. "There's people like me that's out there, you just got to find them."
- Read more:
- The 'Borat 2' babysitter says she only made $3,600 for being tricked in the film. Now, she's unemployed and feels 'betrayed.'
- The Instagram influencer in 'Borat 2' admits she was uncomfortable while filming movie
- Sacha Baron Cohen says he spent 5 days in character while living with conspiracy theorists for 'Borat 2'