Morrissey: Reaction to Spacey ‘sex assaults’ is ridiculous
THE singer Morrissey has claimed that Kevin Spacey has been ‘ needlessly attacked’ over allegations of sexual misconduct.
The former Smiths frontman also said it was ‘ridiculous’ that the actor has been replaced in a film for which his scenes had already been shot.
And he said that many of the actresses who made allegations about disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein ‘knew exactly what was happening’ and were ‘simply disappointed’.
Morrissey, 58, has long been known for his provocative comments, and yesterday he was mocked on Twitter by critics who said he had become a self-parody. Oscar-winner Spacey, also 58, will be replaced by Christopher Plummer in the film All The Money In The World, even though it is due to be released before the end of the year.
Director Ridley Scott has ordered that his performance as oil tycoon Jean Paul Getty be deleted and the scenes reshot.
The announcement came after actor Anthony Rapp claimed that Spacey put him on a bed and climbed on top of him after a party in 1986 when he was 14.
In an interview with German newspaper Der Spiegel, Morrissey, whose full name is Steven Patrick Morrissey, was asked what he thought of the fact Spacey was being replaced. He replied: ‘I think that’s ridiculous. As far as I know, he was in the bedroom with a 14-year-old.
‘Kevin Spacey was 26, the boy 14. In that case, you ask yourself where the parents of the boy were? You ask yourself whether the boy sensed what could happen. I don’t know how things are with you, but I have never been in situations like these in my youth. Never.
‘I was always aware of what could happen. If you’re in somebody’s bedroom, you need to be aware of where that could lead.
‘Because of that, all of that doesn’t seem very credible to me. To me it seems as if Spacey was needlessly attacked.’ Spacey said he was ‘beyond horrified’ by Rapp’s claim.
He said he did not remember the alleged incident – but offered an apology. An investigation by the Old Vic theatre, where Spacey was artistic director until 2015, has led to 20 men making allegations against him.
Morrissey was also questioned about actresses who went into hotel rooms with Weinstein. He replied: ‘ The people know exactly what is happening and they are playing along.
‘Afterwards they find it embarrassing or they didn’t like it. And then they turn it around and say, “I’ve been attacked, I’ve been surprised, I was dragged into the room.”
‘But if everything had gone just fine and made possible a great career, they wouldn’t talk about it. I hate rape. I hate sexual assault. I hate sexual situations that are forced upon someone.
‘But in very many of these cases, you look at the circumstances and you think that the person, who is called a victim, is simply disappointed.’
Weinstein, 65, has apologised for some of his behaviour but has denied any allegation of rape or any non-consensual sex. No arrests have yet been made.