Fonda admits she knew about Weinstein rumors
LONDON (AFP) — Jane Fonda, the two-time Academy Award winning actress, on Thursday said she knew of the accusations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and “should’ve been braver” in voicing the claims.
In an interview with the BBC’s “Hardtalk” program to air next Monday, she said Weinstein had been able to sexually harass women for decades “because he’s powerful.”
A series of women, including celebrities Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have come forward to accuse Weinstein of sexual harassment allegations, while several actresses have alleged he raped them. Weinstein has denied that any of the incidents were non-consensual.
Fonda admitted she had first heard about the allegations a year ago, but did not publicly speak out to protect his accusers’ privacy.
She said she now regretted staying silent. “I should’ve been braver and I think that from now on I will be when I hear such stories,” Fonda told a live audience, including several members of Britain’s parliament, gathered for the interview.
“Thank God it’s being talked about,” the actress said, praising those who had come forward and calling for greater protection for them.
“We have to start believing these women... and protecting them,” she said.
“You’re scared because you feel like... you’ll never work again because they have so much influence... and you won’t be believed,” she added.
NY, London police probing sex claims
NEW YORK (AFP) — The case against disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein took on an international dimension Thursday, with New York police saying they are probing allegations of a 2004 sexual assault while British police said they had opened an inquiry into a separate complaint dating to the 1980s.
An avalanche of claims of sexual harassment, assault and rape by the hugely influential Hollywood producer have surfaced since the publication last week of an explosive New York Times report alleging a history of abusive behavior dating back decades. A spokesman for the New York Police Department confirmed to AFP it was investigating the 2004 case, but provided no details.