JUDD’S WEINSTEIN BOOK CONFIDENTIAL:
WHILE INVESTIGATORS try to figure out what to do with Harvey Weinstein, Ashley Judd is ready to book him. Judd was the toast of Tinseltown at Golden Globe preand post-parties on Sunday, where she confided to guests that she was close to inking a book deal and was ready to hit the lecture circuit too. But more than anything, Judd (photo inset), who turns 50 in April, wants to continue working as an actress. “She’s taken meetings with publishers and her book deal is about to close,” according to a showbiz insider. “She’s not ready to announce details yet, but it’s ready to go.” Our insider said Judd wouldn’t discuss book money, but there’s been buzz of an advance in the $2 million range. Her agents did not respond to a request for comment. We’re told that Judd, who came forward in October to say Weinstein had accosted her in his hotel room decades earlier, is also a hot commodity on the lecture circuit. She could command a $25,000 speaking fee, we hear.
The “Berlin Station” star’s claim of being preyed on by the disgraced movie mogul is credited with helping inspire more than 80 women to speak about their encounters with him.
“She wants to continue working as an actress,” said a Hollywood gossip. “She doesn’t want to have her identity wrapped up with Harvey Weinstein.” Still, when pressed, Judd told our spies that she “basically doesn’t believe” Weinstein’s insistence that he never forced himself on any woman and said that “she hopes justice prevails.”
Judd also told partygoers that she was holding up well and continuing treatment for depression. She wrote about her struggles in her 2011 memoir “All That Is Bitter and Sweet” and has since been a mental health advocate.
We’re told that Judd also said that she hopes the disgraced movie mogul is truly getting help for his problems. Weinstein checked into a $2,000 a night program, allegedly for sex addicts, in Arizona late last year.
Judd attended the Golden Globes with her “Frida” co-star Salma Hayek, who has also accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct.