Hardwick denies ex-lover’s allegations of sexual assault
LOS ANGELES: Comedian Chris Hardwick has denied allegations that he sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend Chloe Dykstra.
Hours after Dykstra's claims went public, Hardwick gave a statement to Deadline saying he made sure to take time to respond to the “very serious allegations.”
“I was heartbroken to read Chloe's post. Our three year relationship was not perfect — we were ultimately not a good match and argues — even shouted at each other — but I loved her and did my best to uplift and support her as a partner and companion in any way and at no time did I sexually assault her,” Hardwick, 46, told the outlet.
He continued by describing their relationship at the time and claiming the actress had been unfaithful to him when they were a couple.
“When we were living together, I found out that Chloe had cheated on me, and I ended the relationship,” Hardwick said. “For several weeks after we broke up, she asked to get back together with me and even told me she wanted to have kids with me, ‘build a life' with me and told me that I was ‘the one,' but I did not want to be with someone who was unfaithful.”
“I'm devastated to read that she is now accusing me of conduct that did not occur,” Hardwick, who is married to model Lydia Hearst, added. “I was blindsided by her post and always wanted the best for her. As a husband, a son, and future father, I do not condone any kind of mistreatment of women.”
Dykstra, 29, wrote about her painful experience with sexual assault in an emotional firstperson essay, although she never named her former boyfriend.
In the essay, titled “RoseColoured Glasses: A Confession,” the TV personality doesn't name the subject, though certain key details led many fans on Twitter to believe that she was referring to ex-boyfriend Hardwick.
Hardwick currently hosts The Wall, an NBC game show, as well as a Walking Dead after-show on AMC called The Talking Dead.
Dykstra and Hardwick had announced their split in July 2014 via Twitter. He married heiress/actress Hearst in 2016.