(Photo: Jean Baptiste LaCroix/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)
By: Alanna Shingler, Editor
“How do I get out of the room as fast as possible without alienating Harvey Weinstein?” actress Ashley Judd remembers asking herself about two decades ago. The Hollywood producer had invited Judd to his house for a business breakfast meeting which, to Ashley’s surprise, he asked to give her a massage or if she wanted to watch him shower.
It turns out this instance of inappropriate behavior was just one of many from Weinstein. An investigation spearheaded by the New York Times revealed three decades of undisclosed sexual harassment allegations against the producer - and he has reached settlements with eight different women. The recipients of his settlements include an assistant, an actress, and a model.
In a statement to The New York Times, Weinstein said, “I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it. Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go.” Additionally, he plans to take a leave of absence to work with therapists and “deal with this issue head-on.”
Former Miramax president Mark Gill commented on Weinstein’s treatment of women, “From the outside; it seemed golden - the Oscars, the success, the remarkable cultural impact. But behind the scenes, it was a mess, and this was the biggest mess of all.”