New twist in movie mogul sex scandal
HARVEY Weinstein’s wife has left him, describing his behaviour as unforgivable amid an escalating number of claims of sexual harassment against the disgraced movie mogul.
British fashion designer Georgina Chapman said her heart breaks for the women who have suffered tremendous pain, as Hollywood stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie joined a growing list of Weinstein’s alleged victims.
It comes as Weinstein flew to Europe by private jet to check into rehab to undergo therapy for sex addiction and “other behavioural issues”.
Chapman, 41, broke her six-day silence by telling People magazine she has left the film mogul, who she married in 2007.
After Weinstein had earlier claimed that his wife was standing by him, she said: “My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions. I have chosen to leave my husband.
“Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time.”
Chapman made the announcement as the 65-year-old Hollywood producer was accused of rape by three women in an explosive exposé in the New Yorker magazine.
The allegations marked a shocking escalation of a scandal that has engulfed Hollywood.
Both Paltrow and Jolie described how the producer, who was instrumental in launching Paltrow’s career, made unwanted advances toward them in hotel rooms.
In the same article in the New York Times, five other women went on record to allege sexual assault or harassment at the hands of Weinstein.
Former Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton said: “I was shocked and appalled by the revelations about Harvey Weinstein.
“The behaviour described by women coming forward cannot be tolerated,” she said.
“Their courage and the support of others is critical in helping to stop this kind of behaviour.”
Weinstein has vehemently denied the claims.