The owner of a popular Boston pottery studio, once frequented by actress Zendaya, is facing serious allegations of customer harassment and making homophobic remarks to staff members.
Allison ‘Allie’ Carroll, 46, operates Rainbows Pottery Studio, a charming establishment located in Boston’s affluent Back Bay area. The studio is known for its whimsical decor, vibrantly painted ceramics, and intricately hand-painted window displays.
Despite its inviting appearance, former employees and customers are accusing Carroll, a one-time prom queen, of fostering a toxic workplace environment.
Allegations against Carroll include lawsuits against customers for negative reviews, requests to remove online content about her assistant’s status as a registered sex offender, and making homophobic comments to a gay employee.
Carroll has denied these claims, telling The Boston Globe that the statements attributed to her were ‘doctored.’
Nevertheless, several accusers have come forward with evidence. Among them is Ethan Stoehr, a former employee who reported that Carroll took him to court in 2024, accusing him of theft and demanding the return of his $670 paycheck, as he recounted to The Globe.
She reportedly told him she would ‘make your life a living legal hell’ and mocked his sexuality, he said.
In a January TikTok, Stoehr revealed text messages between him, Carroll, and Carroll’s daughter Maggie, who works for her mother’s company.
Allison ‘Allie’ Carroll, 46, owner of Rainbows Pottery Studio, has been accused of harassing customers, mocking an employee’s sexuality, and creating a toxic environment
The studio has been visited by Zendaya and Tom Holland, who are pictured with Carroll
‘Where is your big time job in Boston?’ Carroll reportedly asked. ‘Let me guess, Seaport market?! Working for Julie making 20 bucks an hour.’
Her daughter then reportedly replied: ‘Ahahha shut up fata**, nobody wants to hear you speak ever. Make sure to clean the skin that overlaps, which is everywhere. We all know how sweaty that p*** is. We saw it on your nasty forehead, wonder what the fat disgusting jiggly a** holds.’
The mother replied: ‘OMGoodness, I just spit out my drink.’
Carroll later sent a Salt Bae gif, where Nusret Gökçe was edited to be wearing fairy wings, seeming to make fun of Stoehr’s sexuality. She captioned the gift: ‘Ethan!!!!!!!’
Maggie replied: ‘How’s your p***y holding up you f**?’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Carroll for comment.
Stoehr did win his court battle against Carroll, who he said has sued several former employees.
Madison Parrott was celebrating her birthday at Rainbows in January when she reportedly heard Carroll berate an employee.
Former employee, Ethan Stoehr, claimed Carroll and her daughter made fun of his sexuality and that the owner accused him of stealing and took him to court
Zendaya (right, in white) was seen enjoying the studio around October 2024
Chris Evans was seen with Avengers-theme ceramics from the studio
Parrott went outside with the employee, telling her that Carroll shouldn’t be talking to her employees like that, she told The Globe.
Carroll then came outside to confront Parrott, refusing to allow her back into the studio, causing the 26-year-old to write a one-star review.
Parrott’s boyfriend later confronted Carroll via text about their experience, causing Carroll to sent back vile messages.
‘Does your prostitute need a box of tissues??’ she reportedly responded. ‘Let me guess your favorite position is missionary?’
She then reportedly asked him to have Parrott remove her bad review ‘before I teach you a big lesson in life,’ The Globe reported.
Wendy Ji visited Carroll’s busy in 2021 and after an unpleasant experience trying to coordinate pickup of their pottery pieces, she also wrote a one-star review, she told The Globe.
Carroll replied to her Google review and claimed Ji had made ‘derogatory’ comments, which caused the woman to take to TikTok to ask people to ‘hold this lady accountable for her action.’
She’d come to regret the video as Carroll sued her for $75,000 for emotional distress and claiming Ji had threatened to have a ‘gang member kill her and her family.’
Despite the colorful and cozy decor, former customers said they had unpleasant experiences
Carroll (pictured) reportedly took one former customer, Wendy Ji, to court, claiming she threatened her and got charges pressed against her after she left a one-star review
She reportedly kicked out Madison Parrott on her birthday after she went outside the shop (pictured) to comfort an employee Carroll had reportedly berated. She then reportedly made comments to Parrott’s boyfriend via text about their sex life
It led to criminal charges against Ji. It eventually ended with the charges being dropped after Ji took down her video and wrote Carroll an apology for her review.
Rainbows Pottery Studio currently has 4.5 stars on Google and a 2.3 on Yelp.
On Yelp, the studio has gotten 49 one-star ratings and 23 five-star ratings.
Many complained of the hefty price she charges and the bad service.
Prior to the influx of bad reviews, actress Zendaya had been pictured enjoying the pottery studio, including posing for a photo with Carroll and her fiancé and fellow actor Tom Holland.
The actress visited around October 2024.
Actor Chris Evans has also been pictured with pottery pieces, including Avengers-themed ones, from Carroll’s studio.
