Meryl Streep has released a statement condemning Harvey Weinstein, in the wake of multiple allegations of sexual harassment against the legendary producer.
"The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported,” Streep began in a statement published by The Huffington Post. “The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes.” Streep goes on to clarify that Weinstein had always been "exasperating but respectful" with her during their working relationship, and that she did not know about his alleged behavior until the New York Times published its investigation last week, detailing sexual harassment allegations from multiple women–including actresses Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan–dating back almost three decades.
On Sunday, the board of The Weinstein Company voted to terminate Weinstein, effective immediately, “in light of new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days.” Weinstein has denied portions of the Times report through his attorney, Charles Harder, who has threatened to sue the paper for a report he claims is "saturated with false and defamatory statements."
Streep won an Oscar for The Iron Lady in 2012, and was nominated for August: Osage County in 2014, both of which were distributed by The Weinstein Company.
Read Streep's full statement below:
“The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported. The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes.
“One thing can be clarified. Not everybody knew. Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally. I didn’t know about these other offenses: I did not know about his financial settlements with actresses and colleagues; I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts. And If everybody knew, I don’t believe that all the investigative reporters in the entertainment and the hard news media would have neglected for decades to write about it.
“The behavior is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar. Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game.”
From: ELLE US
