
You weren't at Brett Kavanaugh's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing (opens in new tab) yesterday, but you better believe Alyssa Milano was a decent stand-in. The actress and activist spent the day shooting daggers (opens in new tab) at the Supreme Court nominee, trying to film proceedings until a guard literally ordered her to stop (opens in new tab), and holding up a booklet reading, "I BELIEVE SURVIVORS." One photo in particular began making the rounds on social media Thursday night, largely thanks to Entertainment Tonight staffer Meredith Kile's comment on Twitter: "I've never wished so hard that Alyssa Milano was a real witch."
Milano, like her fellow #MeToo leader Rose McGowan, famously spent eight years playing a witch in runaway hit Charmed. (And she's not super happy (opens in new tab) about how the CW's reboot is going, if you were wondering.) A lifelong activist, Milano became one of the faces of the #MeToo movement when she reignited Tamara Burke's decade-old hashtag (opens in new tab) in light of the accusations against Harvey Weinstein in 2017. She's amped up her political activism in the 18 months since Trump was elected, coming out against Steve Bannon and many of Trump's policies and lending a hand in local Democratic races. (opens in new tab)
Last week, Milano went public with her experiences of sexual assault in a Vox essay (opens in new tab), writing:
Let me be as clear as possible: I believe Christine Blasey Ford, and I demand that our senators vote to reject Brett Kavanaugh as the next justice on the Supreme Court. Every person who refuses to loudly and openly reject Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination is telling every generation of Americans that an alleged abuser’s career is more valuable than a survivor’s humanity. And the highest court in our land is no place for an alleged sexual offender to sit.
On Thursday, Milano attended the hearing as a guest of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and openly glared at Kavanaugh throughout his testimony.
I've never wished so hard that Alyssa Milano was a real witch. pic.twitter.com/Oqaw7210eqSeptember 27, 2018
Meredith Kile's observation is spot-on: Milano does look as though she's trying to will Kavanaugh out of the Supreme Court, either by sheer force of mind or...witchcraft. For anyone who grew up watching Milano cast spells and team up with her sisters to defeat evil forces, the latter feels more fitting.
The Senate Judiciary Committee could hold a vote to clear Kavanaugh's nomination, setting the stage for a showdown Senate vote, as early as today.
RELATED STORY
Jenny is the Director of Content Strategy at Marie Claire. Originally from London, she moved to New York in 2012 to attend the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and never left. Prior to Marie Claire, she spent five years at Bustle building out its news and politics coverage. She loves, in order: her dog, goldfish crackers, and arguing about why umbrellas are fundamentally useless. Her first novel, EVERYONE WHO CAN FORGIVE ME IS DEAD, will be published by Minotaur Books in 2024.
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Trying Something Totally New with Next Netflix Project
It won’t be about them, for starters: “They’ve had enough of being in the spotlight for now.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The Royal Family Is Apparently Giving Prince Harry “Incentives” to Attend King Charles’ Coronation
Even Prince William is willing to work to get his brother to the ceremony.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Have Not Received a “Personal Apology” from the Royal Family
Despite Harry's high hopes, no progress has been made as of yet towards reconciliation.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
35 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men
If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, show them these statistics.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
How New York's First Female Governor Plans to Fight for Women If Reelected
Kathy Hochul twice came to power because men resigned amid sexual harassment scandals. Here, how she's leading differently.
By Emily Tisch Sussman
-
Why the 2022 Midterm Elections Are So Critical
As we blaze through a highly charged midterm election season, Swing Left Executive Director Yasmin Radjy highlights rising stars who are fighting for women’s rights.
By Tanya Benedicto Klich
-
Tammy Duckworth: 'I’m Mad as Hell' About the Lack of Federal Action on Gun Safety
The Illinois Senator won't let the memory of the Highland Park shooting just fade away.
By Sen. Tammy Duckworth
-
Roe Is Gone. We Have to Keep Fighting.
Democracy always offers a path forward even when we feel thrust into the past.
By Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland, hosts of Pantsuit Politics Podcast
-
The Supreme Court's Mississippi Abortion Rights Case: What to Know
The case could threaten Roe v. Wade.
By Megan DiTrolio
-
Sex Trafficking Victims Are Being Punished. A New Law Could Change That.
Victims of sexual abuse are quietly criminalized. Sara's Law protects kids that fight back.
By Dr. Devin J. Buckley and Erin Regan
-
My Family and I Live in Navajo Nation. We Don't Have Access to Clean Running Water
"They say that the United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Why are citizens still living with no access to clean water?"
By Amanda L. As Told To Rachel Epstein