New York Post

‘Project Run Away!’ for models near Harv

- David K. Li

Pervy producer Harvey Weinstein used his fashion connection­s as a pipeline to vulnerable women — including one model who had to fend him off with jagged glass, a report said Sunday.

Weinstein, who was the executive producer of TV’s “Project Runway” and is married to designer Georgina Chapman, routinely found ways to meet privately with models, often young and from outside the US, nearly a dozen fashion-industry sources told the Los Angeles Times.

Brazilian model Juliana De Paula recalled a disturbing incident a decade ago when she allegedly ended up at Weinstein’s New York loft and was forced to kiss other women in front of him, the paper reported.

A naked Weinstein ended up chasing her through his apartment, forcing her to use a piece of broken glass to keep him at bay, De Paula said.

“He looked at me, and he started to laugh,” she said. “I was shocked. I was completely in disbelief.”

Weinstein allegedly wasn’t shy about his lascivious ways.

Model Samantha Panagrosso recalled meeting Weinstein at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003, when he allegedly started touching her legs under the water in a hotel pool.

When she objected, he pointed at another model nearby and boasted, “Look at her. I’m going to have her come to my room for a screen test,” Panagrosso said.

Weinstein’s spokeswoma­n, Sallie Hofmeister, repeated what his camp has been saying for days, that he has “unequivoca­lly denied” allegation­s of nonconsens­ual sex.

Dozens of actresses have already stepped forward to allege sexual abuse, with some even claiming rape, at the hands of Weinstein.

Equity, the British union for actors, models and stage managers, has fielded “a significan­t amount of contact from members” since allegation­s against Weinstein came to light, a union rep said.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States