Franco denies sexual misconduct claims
After allegations of sexual misconduct circulated on social media about James Franco, the actor told late-night host Stephen Colbert that “the things I heard on Twitter are not accurate.”
The allegations against Franco were prompted in part by Franco’s Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical win Sunday at the Golden Globes for his film The Disaster Artist. At the ceremony, Franco wore a pin supporting the Time’s Up initiative for gender equality in Hollywood.
Actress Violet Paley said on Twitter that Franco pushed her head toward his groin in a car, and filmmaker Sarah Tither-Kaplan claimed a $100-a-day contract she signed to perform nudity in a film of Franco’s was exploitive. Actress Ally Sheedy also said in a since-deleted tweet that Franco was an example of why she left the movie business.
“I pride myself on taking responsibility for things that I have done,” Franco told Colbert.
“The things that I heard that were on Twitter are not accurate, but I completely support people coming out and being able to have a voice because they didn’t have a voice for so long, so I don’t want to shut them down in any way.”
Franco’s appearance Tuesday on CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert came hours after the New York Times cancelled a public event scheduled Wednesday that was intended to feature The Disaster Artist director and star, as well as his brother and co-star Dave Franco, discussing the movie with a Times reporter.
The scrutiny comes at a delicate moment for Franco, a contender for a best-actor Academy Awards nomination. Voting for the Oscar nominations ends Friday. In 2014, Instagram messages showed Franco apparently trying to hit on a 17-year-old Scottish fan. Afterward, Franco said he was “embarrassed” and said social media is “tricky.”
“I used bad judgment and I learned my lesson,” the actor said then.
Deneuve rejects #METOO in letter
More than 100 women signed an open letter published Tuesday in France arguing against the #metoo movement.
The letter, signed by renowned French actress Catherine Deneuve as well as writers, historians, journalists and entertainers, was published in Le Monde to “we defend freedom to importune, indispensable to sexual freedom.”
“Rape is a crime, but trying to seduce someone, even persistently or back-handedly, is not,” the letter said. “Men have been punished summarily, forced out of their jobs when all they did was touch someone’s knee or try to steal a kiss.”
#metoo was launched in the midst of a slew of sexual harassment and assault allegations that overtook Hollywood and took down legends including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey. Asia Argento, one of the first women to publicly accuse Weinstein, slammed the letter, saying its authors “tell the world their internalized misogyny has lobotomized them to the point of no return,” she tweeted Tuesday. Star wire services
New rape claims against rap mogul
The New York Police Department is investigating two new rape allegations against Russell Simmons.
Police confirmed that two women came forward in December, claiming that the Def Jam co-founder raped them more than 25 years ago.
According to TMZ, one of the women is Sherri Hines, who, during a December taping of Megyn Kelly Today, publicly claimed that Simmons raped her after a night out in 1983. Star wire services
Gerwig closes door on Woody Allen films
Greta Gerwig says she’ll never work with Woody Allen again.
The Lady Bird director said Tuesday that she regrets her role in the 2012 To Rome With Love, which preceded Dylan Farrow’s accusations of sexual assault against him.
“I can only speak for myself and what I’ve come to is this: If I had known then what I know now, I would not have acted in the film. I have not worked for him again, and I will not work for him again,” she told the New York Times.
In 2014, Farrow claimed that Allen, her adoptive father, abused her in 1993, around the time that he was splitting from then-girlfriend Mia Farrow. Star wire services
Briefly
á Céline Dionhas cancelled another Las Vegas concert due to “doctor’s orders.” According to a statement on Dion’s Facebook page, she missed Tuesday night’s show at the Colosseum because she was “recovering from inflammation of the throat” and was ordered “to take one more day of rest in order to fully recover.”
á Grammy nominees Bruno Mars and Cardi B have signed on to perform at the Jan. 28 ceremony, as have “Despacito” stars Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. Best new artist nominees SZA, Brampton’s Alessia Cara and Khalid are also set to perform, alongside previously announced nominees Childish Gambino, Lady Gaga, P!nk and Little Big Town.
á Mavis Staples, Taj Mahal and the North Mississippi All-Stars are among the nominees for this year’s Blues Music Awards. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Wee Willie Walker and Rick Estrin also are nominated for awards to be presented on May10 at the Cook Convention Centre in Memphis, Tenn. á Country music legend Willie Nelson, 84, has cancelled shows in Nevada and California after leaving a concert in San Diego after performing one song. A publicist for Nelson says shows scheduled this week in California, Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev., have been cancelled after Nelson reportedly left the San Diego casino show on Saturday; fans told media that Nelson was coughing and apparently had difficulty breathing.