Kate Beckinsale hits back against backlash over her Harvey Weinstein story: ‘People think I gaily took my child to a known rapist’s house’

Actor recently told of how Weinstein demanded she ‘shake her ass’ at a premiere

Kate Beckinsale has been forced to defend herself after a revelation she made about Harvey Weinstein’s abusive behaviour led to a backlash on social media.

Earlier this week, the actor revealed that in 2001 Weinstein called her a ‘f***ing stupid c***” during a playdate betwee their children at his house. Beckinsale also said he demanded that she “shake her ass” at a movie premiere and wear an outfit that didn’t make her “look like a f***ing lesbian”.

Beckinsale, who starred in Weinstein’s film Serendipity, shared the story on her Instagram, while praising the news that the disgraced movie mogul has been sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Alongside messages of support for Beckinsale, many Instagram users criticised Beckinsale for going to Weinstein's house with her child and for not speaking out sooner.

One person wrote: “Honestly I don't know why anyone would allow themselves to be put in one of those situations. Just leave.”

Beckinsale replied: “I did. It still happened.”

Another wrote: “Why did you show up is my question?”

To which Beckinsale responded: “He was my boss. He had not so far been abusive, nor had I seen any evidence on the one movie I had worked on with him. He couched it as a playdate for our kids.

“I had no idea it wasn't that or that I had done anything that could be perceived as wrong.”

A third follower wrote: “You did nothing wrong. Harvey Weinstein was the malefactor here. People trying to blame you have no idea what they are talking about at best.”

Beckinsale said: “Oh I know. I think she thinks I gaily took my child to a known rapist’s house. I had no idea what was coming partly because the element of shock and surprise is one of the things he got off on.”

When someone asked why so many people who worked with Weinstein “glorify” him, Beckinsale explained: “He was also very talented, could be funny, generous, creative. And then absolutely monstrous. If all abusers were just awful all the time I think it would be far less confusing and less painful.

“Ted Bundy took a minute to catch because he was also other things, you know.”