Here’s the latest on sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein:
CARA DELEVINNGNE JOINS LONG LIST OF VICTIMS
Model and actress Cara Delevingne is joining the long list of Harvey Weinstein accusers.
She says in a lengthy Instagram post that Weinstein brought up sexual subjects during more than one business meeting and also tried to get Delevingne to kiss a woman in front of him.
She says she did not participate and left the room. She says she subsequently appeared in a Weinstein Co. film and adds that she “felt awful that I did the movie.” She says she was afraid to speak out at the time of the incident because she feared she may have somehow been responsible and didn’t want to hurt his family.
Delevingne says in a second post Wednesday that abuse of women by powerful men happens in every industry. She urged victims to speak out.
A message sent to a Weinstein spokeswoman was not immediately returned.
LEA SEYDOUX ALSO BLAMES WEINSTEIN OF MISCONDUCT
French actress Lea Seydoux says Harvey Weinstein once jumped on her and tried to kiss her in a hotel room.
In a first-person essay for The Guardian published on Wednesday Seydoux says “everyone knew what Harvey was up to and no one did anything.”
The Blue is the Warmest Color actress says she would often see Weinstein at events afterward and recalled him bragging about all the women he’s slept with.
Seydoux also says that she knows many men in Hollywood like the 65-year-old producer and detailed multiple accounts of directors she’s worked with coming on to her or trying to kiss her. She did not name the directors.
A message sent to Weinstein’s spokeswoman was not immediately returned.
WEINSTEIN HONORARY DEGREE REVOKED
The University at Buffalo is moving to have alumnus Harvey Weinstein’s honorary degree revoked in response to multiple accusations of harassment and sexual assault against the Hollywood mogul.
The university said Wednesday it is “well aware” of the allegations against Weinstein, who was an English major there from 1969-1973. The university says it has begun the process for revoking the honorary degree it bestowed on him in 2000. The decision lies with the State University of New York board of trustees.
In awarding the honorary SUNY doctorate of humane letters, the university noted that Weinstein and another student started a concert promotion company in 1972 called Harvey and Corky Productions, which became a fixture on Buffalo’s music scene.
Multiple women have accused Weinstein of wrongdoing. He denies non-consensual activity.
BAFTA SUSPENDS MEMBERSHHIP
Britain’s film academy says it has suspended producer Harvey Weinstein over the multiple accusations of harassment and sexual assault against him that recently became public.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts said Wednesday that Weinstein was informed “that his membership has been suspended, effective immediately.”
The organisation says Weinstein had supported its charitable work, but called his alleged behaviour “completely unacceptable and incompatible with BAFTA’s values.”
The British academy has about 7,500 members who work in film, television and games. It offers training and support for people in the industry and organises annual movie, TV and games awards.
One of Hollywood’s most powerful producers, Weinstein has been fired by the company he cofounded after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment and assault. He denies non-consensual activity.
LINDSAY LOHAN FEELS BAD FOR HARVEY
Actress Lindsay Lohan says she feels “very bad” for Harvey Weinstein, who was fired by the company he cofounded amid decades of allegations of sexual harassment.
Lohan made the comments in a since-deleted Instagram video on Tuesday. The video was captured by followers who posted it to social media. In it, she says that she has done several movies with Weinstein and he never harmed her.
Lohan also called on Weinstein’s wife Georgina Chapman to “take a stand and be there for her husband.” Chapman said on Tuesday that she plans to divorce Weinstein. An emoji with a halo under the name “Harvey” was displayed on screen during the clip.
Lohan has been sharply criticised on social media over the video.
Her representative didn’t immediately return a request for comment on Wednesday.
ACADEMY TO MEET FOR SPECIAL MEETING
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars, said on Wednesday that it would hold a special meeting on Saturday to discuss allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein.
“The Academy finds the conduct described in the allegations against Harvey Weinstein to be repugnant, abhorrent, and antithetical to the high standards of the Academy and the creative community it represents,” the Academy said in a statement.
“The Board of Governors will be holding a special meeting on Saturday, October 14, to discuss the allegations against Weinstein and any actions warranted by the Academy.”
Weinstein’s spokeswoman Sallie Hofmeister did not immediately return a request for comment on the Academy’s statement.
The statement follows allegations that Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted a number of women over the past three decades.
Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.
Earlier on Wednesday, Weinstein was suspended from the British film academy BAFTA.
“In light of recent very serious allegations, BAFTA has informed Harvey Weinstein that his membership has been suspended, effective immediately,” the academy said in a statement.
Weinstein won an Oscar in 1999 for producing best picture winner Shakespeare in Love.
