Ansari addresses sexual misconduct allegation
Aziz Ansari appeared contrite as he publicly addressed a year-old sexual misconduct allegation against him during a “popup” stand-up routine Monday in New York City.
Ansari told the audience of about 200 at the Village Underground that he felt “humiliated and embarrassed” by the allegation, but hopes that he has grown personally because of it, according to Vulture.
“There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way,” he said. “But you know, after a year, how I feel about it is, I hope it was a step forward. It made me think about a lot, and I hope I’ve become a better person.”
His approach seems to be the opposite taken by Louis C.K., who was also accused of sexual misconduct but continues to joke about sexually harassing women in his comeback stand-up gigs.
Early last year, a Brooklyn photographer accused Ansari of sexual misconduct after she said he acted aggressively after she had brought him back to her apartment during a date in September 2017.
Ansari replied to her accusation with a statement, according to the Daily Beast. It read in part: “We went out to dinner, and afterwards we ended up engaging in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual. The next day, I got a text from her saying that although ‘it may have seemed okay,’ upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable,” Ansari continued.
“It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned. I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said.” He reportedly texted his accuser: “Clearly, I misread things in the moment and I’m truly sorry.”
Ansari, 35, told the New York audience that he stayed quiet for a year because “It’s a terrifying thing to talk about.” Ansari also related a conversation with a friend, who said the accusation against Ansari made him rethink his behavior on dates. “If that has made not just me but other guys think about this, and just be more thoughtful and aware and willing to go that extra mile, and make sure someone else is comfortable in that moment, that’s a good thing,” Ansari said.
Ansari is scheduled to perform three Bay Area shows — at the Paramount in Oakland on March 14-15 (the first is sold out), and at the Masonic in San Francisco on March 16.