In the wake of two blockbuster articles accusing film producer Harvey Weinstein of a lifetime of sexual assault against women, celebrities are speaking out against the studio mogul and a Hollywood culture of harassment.
Last week, the New York Times published an exposé alleging the studio executive settled as many as eight sexual harassment cases brought against him over the past several decades. The New Yorker ran a similar piece on Tuesday which interviewed thirteen women, all of whom accuse Weinstein of harassment to varying degrees, up to and including rape.
Hollywood celebrities have also come out against Weinstein, with two big names adding their voices to the cacophony of women accusing the film exec of harassment. In an email to the Times, Angelina Jolie wrote “I had a bad experience with Harvey Weinstein in my youth, and as a result, chose never to work with him again and warn others when they did,” referring to times Weinstein approached her in her hotel room during the release of Playing By Heart.
Gwyneth Paltrow also stepped forward, revealing a harrowing experience during the filming of Emma. After meeting in his hotel to ostensibly discuss filming, Weinstein placed his hands on Paltrow and suggested they move to the bedroom for mutual “massages”
“I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified,” said Paltrow, who afterward told her then-boyfriend Brad Pitt about the experience. Later Weinstein approached Paltrow and demand that she never speak about the incident with anyone.
They’re not the only celebs with horrifying stories. Both Rosanna Arquette and Judith Godrèche, a leading French actress, have similar tales. Other famous celebs—both male and female—took to social media to condemn Weinstein and his actions.
“I am saddened and angry that a man who I worked with used his position of power to intimidate, sexually harass and manipulate many women over decades,” wrote Ben Affleck in an emotional Facebook post.
Late-night funnyman Stephen Colbert said, “This is monstrous behavior that in a just world would not have been allowed to go on for decades. It is indefensible.”
Kevin Smith, a director who worked closely with Weinstein while being financed by Miramax, wrote that he felt “ashamed” for taking Weinstein’s money. “Now I know while I was profiting, others were in terrible pain. It makes me feel ashamed.”
Even former presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has come out blasting Weinstein, writing, “I was shocked and appalled by the revelations about Harvey Weinstein. The behavior described by women coming forward cannot be tolerated. Their courage and the support of others is critical in helping to stop this kind of behavior.”
Since the articles were published, a full third of the all-male board of directors resigned from The Weinstein Company, with the remaining board members voting successfully to fire Weinstein from the company he co-founded with his brother in 2005.
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