Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Names and faces
■ Lisa Bloom, a lawyer who advises Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood producer accused of sexually harassing several women over decades, said Friday that he had acted inappropriately and agreed with an interviewer who characterized Weinstein’s reported actions as illegal. The Weinstein Co.’s board of directors, meanwhile, announced that Weinstein is on indefinite leave from the company he co-founded while an internal investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him is completed. Bloom’s acknowledgment came during an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC News’ Good Morning America in which he asked her about a New York Times investigation into Weinstein’s behavior, which the newspaper said included at least eight settlements being reached with women accusing him of sexual harassment and unwanted physical contact over several decades. “This is a real pattern over 30 years. This is like textbook sexual harassment,” Stephanopoulos said. “It’s gross, yeah,” Bloom replied. “It’s illegal,” Stephanopoulos said. “Yes. You know, I agree,” Bloom said. “I’m here as his adviser. I’m not defending him in any sexual harassment cases — there aren’t any sexual harassment cases. I’m working with a guy who has behaved badly over the years, who is genuinely remorseful, who says, you know, ‘I have caused a lot of pain.’” Bloom, who represented women who brought sexual harassment claims against former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, said she saw advising Weinstein as an opportunity to work with him. Reached by the Times for additional comment Friday, Bloom said: “The New York Times’ allegations, if true, would constitute sexual harassment. However, Mr. Weinstein denies many of them and was not given a fair opportunity to present evidence and witnesses on his side.”
■ Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda released a new original song Friday to raise money for Puerto Rican hurricane relief, and he’s enlisted some of the biggest Latin stars in music to help. “Almost Like Praying” features Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Camila Cabello, Gloria Estefan, Fat Joe, Luis Fonsi, John Leguizamo and Rita Moreno, among many others. All proceeds from the download and stream go to The Hispanic Federation’s disaster relief fund. “I was like every Puerto Rican with ties to the island, with family on the island. We all had a terrible few days of silence. For some, those days were weeks,” said Miranda, who was born in New York but has relatives on the island. “For me, that helplessness turned into ‘OK, well what can I write that will help? Can I write a tune that we can monetize?’” Miranda said he made an a cappella demo in a bathroom in Austria — where he was on vacation — and sent it to Atlantic Records, enlisting help. The subsequent recording process took a breathtaking 72 hours and took him to studios in New York City, Los Angeles and Miami to link up with the music stars.