TVB sacks Nathan over sexual harassment claims
HONG KONG: TVB has sacked actor Nathan Ngai over sexual harassment allegations.
Nathan, best known for his role in The Hippocratic Crush, had allegedly molested actress Louisa Mak.
Louisa is one of the pioneers of Hong Kong’s #MeToo movement.
Louisa disclosed that when just a teen, she was assaulted while working on a TVB drama.
Louisa did not reveal the specifics of the allegation, but press reports allege that Nathan had molested Louisa while they filming Line Walker: The Prelude on location in China.
A complaint was filed with TVB, and station executives then decided not to renew Nathan’s contract.
According to an insider, Nathan had pestered Louisa for a date, even after he had been repeatedly turned down.
During filming, Louisa made sure to have co-stars Benjamin Yuen and Priscilla Wong to accompany her.
The allegations against Nathan were not the first. Several other TVB actresses had made similar complaints.
Responding to the Louisa’s allegations, Nathan said in a phone interview, “I’ve never heard of this! I’m so confused.”
Asked if he had kissed her without her consent, Nathan retorted: “Of course not! I don’t know why these rumours came to be. I did send her a text message earlier to ask what’s going on. None of it is true. I hope these rumours didn’t really come from her mouth! I hope we will all continue to respect each other.”
Louisa did not respond to his message.
On how his reputation is being affected, Nathan said: “I haven’t thought too much about it. I just want to be an actor. I don’t want to cause any trouble.”
He also confirmed that his contract with TVB was terminated one year ahead of time.
Asked for the reason, Nathan said: “I don’t know! They didn’t tell me why.”
Asked for comments on her allegations, Louisa: “I have been keeping up with these reports. First, our company’s artistes have been notified that we should not comment very much on it.
“Second, because the report has mentioned names, I don’t think it’s suitable for me to offer any further comments. I don’t want my comments to be twisted in a way where it would make room for more unfounded speculation.
“It’s unfair to everyone. But I do want to say is this—this is a serious problem that affects many girls. Girls should not be embarrassed about speaking out.
“Also, even if you want to speak out, you can’t do it in a way where the other party gets affected because only one side of the story is heard. That declares someone guilty before a trial. But it’s definitely hard to achieve that balance.”
Of course not! I don’t know why these rumours came to be. I did send her a text message earlier to ask what’s going on. None of it is true. I hope these rumours didn’t really come from her mouth! I hope we will all continue to respect each other. Nathan Ngai, actor