Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Names and faces
■ Actress Eliza Dushku says she was sexually molested at age 12 by a stunt coordinator during production of the 1994 film True Lies. In a post on her Facebook account Saturday, Dushku also alleged that Joel Kramer, then 36, caused her to be injured on the set as payback for disclosing the alleged misconduct to a friend. Kramer denied the accusations as “lies” in trade publication interviews. A Dushku representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. “These are outlandish, manipulated lies,” Kramer told the website Deadline. “I never sexually molested her.” Dushku alleged in the post that Kramer lured her to his hotel room, put her on a bed and, approaching her naked except for a “flimsy” towel, rubbed his body over hers. When she confided to an adult female friend who then confronted him on the set, Dushku said she suffered broken ribs “in no small coincidence” in a stunt that went awry. Sue Booth-Forbes told Variety and Deadline that Dushku is “telling the truth.” The guardian said she reported what she called Kramer’s “inappropriate sexual behavior” at the time and that no action was taken by what she called “a person in authority.”
■ In a new sexual misconduct investigation, The New York Times reported Saturday that several male models have accused famed photographers Bruce Weber and Mario Testino of unwanted advances and coercion. Fifteen current and former models told the Times that Weber’s demands often occurred during photo shoots and other private sessions. Thirteen assistants and models accused Testino, the Times reported. “I remember him putting his fingers in my mouth, and him grabbing my privates,” model Robyn Sinclair said of Weber. “We never had sex or anything, but a lot of things happened. A lot of touching. A lot of molestation.” Weber’s racy advertisements for Calvin Klein, Abercrombie & Fitch and other companies helped turn him into a star in commercial and fine art photography. Testino, adored by celebrities, glossy magazines including Vogue and younger members of the British royal family, was accused of groping and making sexual comeons, the newspaper said. Allegations against both date back many years, the Times said. Representatives for both photographers said they were dismayed and surprised by the allegations. “I’m completely shocked and saddened by the outrageous claims being made against me, which I absolutely deny,” Weber said in a statement from his lawyer. The law firm Lavely & Singer, representing Testino, challenged the character and credibility of people who complained of harassment.