Kevin Spacey has responded to explosive allegations that he made sexual advances towards Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp when he was just 14 years old. Rapp alleges that Spacey, aged 26 at the time, made a sexual pass at him at a party in 1986, Buzzfeed News reports.
In a statement on Twitter, Spacey explained that he did not remember the alleged incident, but attributed it to “deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour”.
“I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago,” he wrote.
“But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years.”
In his statement, The House Of Cards actor also responded to rumours about his sexuality.
“As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man,” he said.
“I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behavior.”
Rapp recollected his encounter with Spacey in an exclusive interview with Buzzfeed News. The actor alleges that Spacey invited him to his apartment for a party in New York while they were both in Broadway plays. He stayed at the party watching television in the bedroom until after midnight, when he discovered he was the only guest left.
Rapp said he then went to leave, only to find Spacey standing in the bedroom doorway.
The Star Trek: Discovery star alleged Spacey “sort of stood in the doorway, kind of swaying. My impression when he came in the room was that he was drunk.”
Rapp said Spacey then “picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold. But I don’t, like, squirm away initially, because I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ And then he lays down on top of me.”
The actor accused Spacey of trying to hold him down by “pressing into” him and “tightening his arms”.
“He was trying to seduce me,” Rapp said “I don’t know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually.”
He said he then managed to squirm away and leave the apartment.
Rapp explained that after years of keeping quiet, he now “feels compelled” to air his allegations following on from the Harvey Weinstein sex scandal.
“Not to simply air a grievance, but to try to shine another light on the decades of behavior that have been allowed to continue because many people, including myself, being silent,” he shared.
“I’m feeling really awake to the moment that we’re living in, and I’m hopeful that this can make a difference.”
Spacey’s representatives have not responded to Buzzfeed’s inquiries or requests from The Hollywood Reporter.
If you need to talk to someone about experiencing sexual assault or rape, please contact 1800 Respect
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