Sexual harassment isinampa vs Placido Domingo
SA loob ng ilang dekada, ilang babae na ang tinangkang molestiyahin ng tanyag na opera singer na si Placido Domingo,
lahad ng mga babaeng umano’y biktima niya sa The Associated Press.
Dagdag pa ng mga ito, pinarurusahan umano ni Placido ang mga babaeng tumatanggi sa alok na ni Placido.
Kinilala bilang isa sa magagaling na opera singer of all time, si Placido ay isa ring prolific conductor at direktor ng Los Angeles Opera. Tumanggap na rin ng napakataas na respeto ang multiple Grammy winner sa kanyang rarefied world, at inilarawan ng mga kasamahan bilang “a man of prodigious charm and energy who works tirelessly to promote his art form.”
Sa edad na 78, nananatili pa rin ang kasikatan ni Placido sa buong mundo at patuloy na nagdaragdag sa 150 roles na ginampanan niya sa mahigit 4,000 performances na ginawa niya.
Ngunit inihayag ng mga nag-aakusa sa kanya na mayroong “troubling side” si Placido, na nananatiling open secret sa opera world.
Walong singer at isang dancer ang umamin sa AP
na sila ay minolestiya ng long-married, Spanish-born superstar na naganap sa nakalipas na tatlong dekada mula 1980, sa venues kung saan nagtatanghal ang opera legend.
Ayon sa pahayag ng isang biktima, “Domingo stuck his hand down her skirt and three others said he forced wet kisses on their lips — in a dressing room, a hotel room and at a lunch meeting.”
Sambit ng isa sa mga singer, “A business lunch
is not strange. Somebody trying to hold your hand during a business lunch is strange — or putting their hand on your knee is a little strange. He was always touching you in some way, and always kissing you.”
Nakipag-usap ang AP sa mahigit tatlong dosenang nag-aakusa, kabilang ang singers, dancers, orchestra musicians, members of backstage staff, voice teachers at isang administrator na nagsabing nakita nila ang “inappropriate sexually tinged behavior by Domingo” at mas nais umano nito ang batang kababaihan na walang laban.
Hindi sinagot ni Placido ang mga detalyadong tanong ng AP tungkol sa mga insidente ngunit inilabas niya sa isang pahayag: “The allegations from these unnamed individuals dating back as many as thirty years are deeply troubling, and as presented, inaccurate.
“Still, it is painful to hear that I may have upset anyone or made them feel uncomfortable — no matter how long ago and despite my best intentions. I believed that all of my interactions and relationships were always welcomed and consensual. People who know me or who have worked with me know that I am not someone who would intentionally harm, offend, or embarrass anyone.
“However, I recognize that the rules and standards by which we are — and should be — measured against today are very different than they were in the past. I am blessed and privileged to have had a more than 50-year career in opera and will hold myself to the highest standards.”