
Matt Damon has apologized for his comments about sexual harassment and the #MeToo movement, which drew a slew of well-deserved controversy when he waded into the debate last month.
“I really wish I’d listened a lot more before I weighed in on this,” Damon admitted during an interview on TODAY. “I don’t want to further anybody’s pain with anything that I do or say. So for that I am really sorry. A lot of those women are my dear friends and I love them and respect them and support what they’re doing and want to be a part of that change...but I should get in the back seat and close my mouth for a while.”
RELATED STORIES
During an ABC News interview in December, Damon pointed out that sexual misconduct encompasses "a spectrum of behavior," and made the revolutionary observation that there is "a difference between patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation."
While he acknowledged that both types of behavior "need to be confronted and eradicated without question, they shouldn't be conflated." In a separate interview with Business Insider, Damon also noted "one thing that's not being talked about is there are a whole shitload of guys—the preponderance of men I've worked with—who don't do this kind of thing and whose lives aren't going to be affected." Because our real priority here should be celebrating the brave men who manage not to sexually abuse women.
Following Damon's comments, a number of people—including Damon's former co-star and ex-girlfriend Minnie Driver—sharply criticized him for failing to recognize that even "minor" incidents of harassment are symptomatic of a much bigger problem. "It's the micro that makes the macro," actress Alyssa Milano wrote in an open letter to Damon on Twitter. "I have been a victim of each component of the sexual assault spectrum of which you speak. They all hurt. And they are all connected to a patriarchy intertwined with normalized, accepted—even welcomed—misogyny."
Emma Dibdin is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles who writes about culture, mental health, and true crime. She loves owls, hates cilantro, and can find the queer subtext in literally anything.
-
Megan Fox Texted Her Stylist That She "Cut a Hole" in Her Outfit to "Have Sex" With Machine Gun Kelly
Girlie, what?
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Julia Fox Went Grocery Shopping in Her Underwear, But People Are Mostly Offended by Her Choice of Bottled Water
You love to see it.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The Queen Touched Up Her Lipstick During Her First Jubilee Appearance
She actually regularly does this in public, which is amazing.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
The 15 Best Comedy Movies on Hulu
For when you just need a good laugh.
By Megan DiTrolio
-
The 50 Best 2000s Movies
Juicy Couture tracksuit recommended, but not required.
By Bianca Rodriguez
-
90 Movies You Have to Watch at Least Once in Your Life
The essentials. (Netflix password not included.)
By Bianca Rodriguez
-
The 79 Best '90s Movies That Are Modern Classics
Truly the golden age of cinema.
By Kayleigh Roberts
-
The 50 Best Feel-Good Movies to Curl Up With
PJs, a glass of wine, and these films.
By Katherine J Igoe
-
The 51 Best Musical Movies to Get You Singing
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell
-
The 40 Best Psychological Thrillers of All Time
Not stressed enough already? Then watch these movies.
By Zoe Guy
-
The 14 Best Drama Movies of 2022 (So Far)
From acclaimed indie films to music biopics.
By Quinci LeGardye