Scarlett Johansson, a rising star at the time, had married Ryan Phillippe in 2000. The couple's relationship was subject to media attention, and their divorce in 2003 was highly publicized. In 2007, a sex tape allegedly featuring Johansson and Phillippe began making the rounds on the internet. The tape's origin and authenticity were disputed, with some sources suggesting it was a stolen or leaked video.