Harvey Weinstein responds to Lupita Nyong'o harassment allegations

Oscar-winning actor said on one occasion she felt pressured into giving the producer a massage 

Clarisse Loughrey
Saturday 21 October 2017 12:43 BST
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Harvey Weinstein has issued a response to Lupita Nyong'o's op-ed in The New York Times, which saw her join the growing list of stars accusing the Hollywood producer of harassment and assault.

The piece saw her detail her initial meeting with Weinstein in 2011, where he invited her to his Connecticut home on the pretence of watching a film with his family. Shortly after it started, she writes that he "insisted" in front of his children that she follow him and was led to his bedroom.

She then claims he asked for a massage, before stating he wanted to take off his pants. "I told him not to do that and informed him that it would make me extremely uncomfortable. He got up anyway to do so and I headed for the door, saying that I was not at all comfortable with that," Nyong'o wrote.

After a further alleged proposition at a restaurant, the actor felt her career was under threat. Nyong’o said she had blamed herself and attempted to forget about her experiences, but that she felt "sick in the pit of my stomach" since The New York Times' bombshell report saw multiple women come forward, with many more following in their wake.

Weinstein has since denied the claims through a statement made by a representative, making her one of very few actors Weinstein has responded to directly - he also issued a response denying allegations made by Ashley Judd.

"Mr. Weinstein has a different recollection of the events, but believes Lupita is a brilliant actress and a major force for the industry," the statement reads (via Variety). "Last year, she sent a personal invitation to Mr. Weinstein to see her in her Broadway show Eclipsed."

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