He’s the man who co-founded Miramax and produced iconic films such as Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love and Silver Linings Playbook, but now Harvey Weinstein has been fired from his own production company, abandoned by key members of his legal team and crushed under the weight of sexual harassment allegations spanning three decades.
After The New York Times last week published a report detailing graphic sexual encounters between Weinstein and his female staff, including actresses Ashley Judd, Hayley Atwell and Rose McGowan, Hollywood heavyweights have spoken out against the 65-year-old producer. The latest? Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Gwyneth was 22 when she was hired by Weinstein to star in Emma. “Before shooting began, he summoned her to his suite at the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel for a work meeting,” she revealed in a new report by the New York Times. “It ended with Mr. Weinstein placing his hands on her and suggesting they head to the bedroom for massages, she said.”
Gwyneth refused his advances, however, says she “was petrified.” She revealed she told Brad Pitt what had happened (her boyfriend at the time whom she dated from 1994-1997) and he confronted Weinstein. Weinstein then threatened Paltrow not to tell anyone else.
“I thought he was going to fire me,” she said.
Angelina Jolie told the New York Times that she “had a bad experience with Harvey Weinstein in my youth,” revealing he “made unwanted advances on her in a hotel room, which she rejected.”
As a result, Jolie “chose never to work with him again and warn others when they did.”
“This behaviour towards women in any field, any country is unacceptable,” the actress finished.
Weinstein, who is yet to be charged, has released a statement of apology and says he is seeking therapy.
“I came of age in the ‘60s and ‘70s, when all the rules about behaviour and workplaces were different. That was the culture then. I have since learned it’s not an excuse, in the office – or out of it.” You don’t say.
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