Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Actress Rebel Wilson comes forward with claims of Hollywood sexual harrassment

Wilson is the latest high profile actress to come forward and describe a culture of sexual harassment in Hollywood

Clark Mindock
New York
Saturday 11 November 2017 18:12 GMT
Comments
Wilson is the latest woman to come forward alleging sexual assault or harassment
Wilson is the latest woman to come forward alleging sexual assault or harassment (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

The actress and comedian Rebel Wilson has taken to Twitter to reveal her own story of alleged sexual harassment in the film industry, amid a scandal that has spread throughout Hollywood.

Wilson describes an alleged incident with an unnamed male "star" who asked her to perform a sex act on him while "his male 'friends' tried to film the incident on their iPhones and laughed".

"I repeatedly said no and eventually got out of the room," she writes. In another "hotel room encounter", she says she feared a director would have harassed her if his wife had not called at the time.

"To hear how prevalent sexual harassment and assault is, is just so saddening," she added. "I know my stories aren't as horrific as other women and men have described - but if you've ever experienced anything like this I feel for you and can relate on some level."

The claims are the latest in an avalanche of sexual harassment and assault allegations that have buried America's entertainment industry in scandal since several women came forward with claims against former movie producer Harvey Weinstein.

Since the allegations against Mr Weinstein, more than 60 women have come forward with claims that he had used his position of power to sexually assault or harass them. Criminal investigations have been launched since in New York City and London, where some of the incidents have been reported.

Those allegations have led many women and men to come forward with similar allegations against titans in the entertainment industry. Those accused of sexual harassment or assault include comedian Louis CK, as well as "House of Cards" actor Kevin Spacey, among others.

In just this past week, Louis CK acknowledged the veracity of the allegations against him, saying in a statement that the stories told in a New York Times report were true. He has, just as many of those accused of sexual assault or harassment in the past month have, indicated that he will attempt to step out of the spotlight for the forseeable future.

Powerful men in other industries and circles as well, including media titans like former NBC News and MSNBC political correspondent Mark Halperin, and former New Republic literary editor Leon Wieseltier.

Women all across the country have given voice to their stories via social media as well, in a massive "#MeToo" movement where women have told their stories of sexual abuse or harassment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in