Actress Rose McGowan, who has been at the centre of the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal, has responded to the disgraced mogul`s indictment on multiple rapes and sex crime charges.

The 44-year-old took to social media to share her views on the latest legal development.

"INDICTED. FINALLY. I`ve been indicted by the media he`s bought out for years to trash me. Now it is a new chapter for both of us," Rose began in her social media post.

"What would others say about you if they didn`t know who you were? Who I am has been told to the world for me in magazines, newspapers, blogs, videos, tabloids."

She continued, "The narrative of me-my story-has been sold to you as a work of fiction. The media often cut you when they can, especially if they`ve been paid off to the journalists and reporters who are safe in their cubicles and do not have to drown in your tears or see the bruises.

"All they see is numbers. Views. Ratings. And all you were told is that I was a horror show.

Someone damaged. Someone off-kilter. Someone not right. Luckily, many worldwide saw through this fiction, sadly, far more continue to hound me with this false narrative without realizing that every evil thing they repeat about me means they are doing the work of a rapist.''

Meanwhile, on Wednesday (local time), the 66-year-old was indicted on charges of rape in the first and third degrees, and criminal sexual act in the first degree.

If found guilty, the Oscar-winning producer could find himself behind bars for up to 25 years, as reported.

Scores of women have come to fore and accused Weinstein of a wide array of misconduct, which ranges from harassment to rape, over decades.

However, maintaining his innocence, Weinstein, whose career has been left in tatters, has always denied non-consensual sex.&nbsp;

The 44-year-old took to social media to share her views on the latest legal development.

Actress Rose McGowan, who has been at the centre of the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal, has responded to the disgraced mogul`s indictment on multiple rapes and sex crime charges. The 44-year-old took to social media to share her views on the latest legal development. "INDICTED. FINALLY. I`ve been indicted by the media he`s bought out for years to trash me. Now it is a new chapter for both of us," Rose began in her social media post. "What would others say about you if they didn`t know who you were? Who I am has been told to the world for me in magazines, newspapers, blogs, videos, tabloids." She continued, "The narrative of me-my story-has been sold to you as a work of fiction. The media often cut you when they can, especially if they`ve been paid off to the journalists and reporters who are safe in their cubicles and do not have to drown in your tears or see the bruises. "All they see is numbers. Views. Ratings. And all you were told is that I was a horror show. Someone damaged. Someone off-kilter. Someone not right. Luckily, many worldwide saw through this fiction, sadly, far more continue to hound me with this false narrative without realizing that every evil thing they repeat about me means they are doing the work of a rapist.'' Meanwhile, on Wednesday (local time), the 66-year-old was indicted on charges of rape in the first and third degrees, and criminal sexual act in the first degree. If found guilty, the Oscar-winning producer could find himself behind bars for up to 25 years, as reported. Scores of women have come to fore and accused Weinstein of a wide array of misconduct, which ranges from harassment to rape, over decades. However, maintaining his innocence, Weinstein, whose career has been left in tatters, has always denied non-consensual sex.

Indicted, Finally: Rose McGowan on Harvey Weinstein

After sexual assault charges were dropped against former International Monetary Fund Chairman Dominique Strauss-Kahn in 2011, his lawyer Ben Brafman assailed the accuser`s credibility, telling Reuters: "This encounter was quick, it was consensual and she was a willing participant."

Brafman on Friday hinted he would take a similar tack defending his latest client, movie producer Harvey Weinstein. But this time Brafman, one of the New York`s most prominent defence lawyers, will make his arguments against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement, which was largely sparked by reports of his client`s sexual misconduct.

Outside the Manhattan courthouse where Weinstein, 66, was arraigned on rape and criminal sexual act charges, Brafman said that, if he cross-examined the accusers, a jury would not believe them, "assuming we get 12 fair people who are not consumed by the movement that seems to have overtaken this case."

Weinstein has said he never had non-consensual sex with anyone, and Brafman said his client would plead not guilty to the charges by the Manhattan District Attorney`s Office.

Attacking the credibility of accusers through tough cross-examination is a common defence strategy in rape and sexual assault cases, which often boil down to "he said, she said," according to New York lawyer Lisa Linsky.&nbsp;

She said the play-book had not changed in the #MeToo era, and Brafman might argue that the accusers and other women coming forward were motivated by fame or money.

In the Strauss-Kahn case, Brafman said at the time he planned to argue that the woman must be lying because she was much larger than the accused. “In a one-on-one, she would probably win if this turned into a fist fight," Brafman told Reuters in 2011. "She is not a small person.”

But a number of lawyers questioned whether Brafman would be able to cross-examine Weinstein`s accusers aggressively in the face of overwhelming public sentiment in their favour and against Weinstein.&nbsp;

"That is the $64,000 question," said Gerald Lefcourt, one of Brafman`s peers among New York defence lawyers.

Lefcourt said he thought Brafman would find a way. "I think he is conscious of those considerations and will be able to strike the right tone," said Lefcourt. "That`s what makes him a great trial lawyer."

Shira Scheindlin, a former New York federal judge now in private practice, said the defence will become even more difficult if the judge allows the testimony of women other than the accusers as evidence Weinstein had a pattern of conduct.

“If five other women have come forward, that’s going to weigh heavily on the jury,” she said, though Brafman would likely argue that such testimony would be prejudicial.

Bennett Gershman, a professor at New York`s Pace Law School, said the task for Brafman was "monumental, maybe even impossible" given the depth of public antipathy toward Weinstein.

"There is nobody like him," said Gershman. "He is the poster boy of predatory sexual conduct. Brafman is not going to be able to dislodge that view of him."

Gershman said he thought Brafman`s best strategy would be to stall for time and try to get the best possible plea deal, which would certainly include prison time.

But defence lawyer Roy Black said he did not think a deal would be possible.&nbsp;

"Given the way the flames of prejudice have been whipped up against him, anything less than life in prison will seem like a sweetheart deal," said Black.&nbsp;

Brafman on Friday hinted he would take a similar tack defending his latest client, movie producer Harvey Weinstein

After sexual assault charges were dropped against former International Monetary Fund Chairman Dominique Strauss-Kahn in 2011, his lawyer Ben Brafman assailed the accuser`s credibility, telling Reuters: "This encounter was quick, it was consensual and she was a willing participant." Brafman on Friday hinted he would take a similar tack defending his latest client, movie producer Harvey Weinstein. But this time Brafman, one of the New York`s most prominent defence lawyers, will make his arguments against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement, which was largely sparked by reports of his client`s sexual misconduct. Outside the Manhattan courthouse where Weinstein, 66, was arraigned on rape and criminal sexual act charges, Brafman said that, if he cross-examined the accusers, a jury would not believe them, "assuming we get 12 fair people who are not consumed by the movement that seems to have overtaken this case." Weinstein has said he never had non-consensual sex with anyone, and Brafman said his client would plead not guilty to the charges by the Manhattan District Attorney`s Office. Attacking the credibility of accusers through tough cross-examination is a common defence strategy in rape and sexual assault cases, which often boil down to "he said, she said," according to New York lawyer Lisa Linsky. She said the play-book had not changed in the #MeToo era, and Brafman might argue that the accusers and other women coming forward were motivated by fame or money. In the Strauss-Kahn case, Brafman said at the time he planned to argue that the woman must be lying because she was much larger than the accused. “In a one-on-one, she would probably win if this turned into a fist fight," Brafman told Reuters in 2011. "She is not a small person.” But a number of lawyers questioned whether Brafman would be able to cross-examine Weinstein`s accusers aggressively in the face of overwhelming public sentiment in their favour and against Weinstein. "That is the $64,000 question," said Gerald Lefcourt, one of Brafman`s peers among New York defence lawyers. Lefcourt said he thought Brafman would find a way. "I think he is conscious of those considerations and will be able to strike the right tone," said Lefcourt. "That`s what makes him a great trial lawyer." Shira Scheindlin, a former New York federal judge now in private practice, said the defence will become even more difficult if the judge allows the testimony of women other than the accusers as evidence Weinstein had a pattern of conduct. “If five other women have come forward, that’s going to weigh heavily on the jury,” she said, though Brafman would likely argue that such testimony would be prejudicial. Bennett Gershman, a professor at New York`s Pace Law School, said the task for Brafman was "monumental, maybe even impossible" given the depth of public antipathy toward Weinstein. "There is nobody like him," said Gershman. "He is the poster boy of predatory sexual conduct. Brafman is not going to be able to dislodge that view of him." Gershman said he thought Brafman`s best strategy would be to stall for time and try to get the best possible plea deal, which would certainly include prison time. But defence lawyer Roy Black said he did not think a deal would be possible. "Given the way the flames of prejudice have been whipped up against him, anything less than life in prison will seem like a sweetheart deal," said Black.

Weinstein attorney Brafman could face 'impossible' task: lawyers

Oscar-winner Harvey Weinstein, who was arrested on charges of rape, was on Friday released on $1 million bail with constant electronic monitoring and a ban on traveling beyond New York and Connecticut.

Earlier today, the New York Police Department (NYPD) charged the Hollywood producer with rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct from encounters with two different women.

He was granted bail of $10 million including property, or $1 million in cash. He opted to pay $1 million in cash, according to the US media.

Several media report stated that the judge also imposed a temporary protective order directing Weinstein to stay away from the two women whose complaints prompted the charges.

The case was adjourned to July 30.

Earlier in the day, Weinstein turned himself in to New York police to face the charges against him.

More than 50 women, including stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd and Angelina Jolie, accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, which the former has denied.

Earlier today, the New York Police Department (NYPD) charged the Hollywood producer with rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct from encounters with two different women

Oscar-winner Harvey Weinstein, who was arrested on charges of rape, was on Friday released on $1 million bail with constant electronic monitoring and a ban on traveling beyond New York and Connecticut. Earlier today, the New York Police Department (NYPD) charged the Hollywood producer with rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct from encounters with two different women. He was granted bail of $10 million including property, or $1 million in cash. He opted to pay $1 million in cash, according to the US media. Several media report stated that the judge also imposed a temporary protective order directing Weinstein to stay away from the two women whose complaints prompted the charges. The case was adjourned to July 30. Earlier in the day, Weinstein turned himself in to New York police to face the charges against him. More than 50 women, including stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd and Angelina Jolie, accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, which the former has denied.

Harvey Weinstein released on $1M bail

Hollywood media mogul Harvey Weinstein who has been facing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-now-salma-hayek-accuses-harvey-weinstein-of-abuse-forced-nudity-and-threat-to-kill-her-26691">multiple charges</a> of sexual harassment, abuse and rape by several women since late last year is now reportedly expected to surrender to investigating authorities of New York on Friday, according to multiple reports.&nbsp;

In a change of event, Harvey’s surrender could shake the things and set them in motion -- giving a closure to as many as 70 women who went on record to file a case against him on account of sexual misconduct of different levels since October 2017. The co-founder of Miramax studio and the Weinstein Company has since forever denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.&nbsp;

Regarding the reports of Harvey’s surrender, his office of attorney, Benjamin Brafman refused to comment on it. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-hollywood-mogul-harvey-weinsteins-sexual-harassment-and-abuse-investigation-to-be-made-into-a-film-133051">Also Read:&nbsp;Harvey Weinstein's sexual harassment investigation to be made into a film</a>

Harvey Weinstein, one of the biggest names in Hollywood suffered a major personal and professional setback after scores of women came out to accuse him. Harvey has since then maintained a low key life and stayed away from the public eye. He was made to resign from his company’s board of directors. Not only this, it fuelled a movement called #MeToo in which women came out in the open to narrate their incident of sexual harassment. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-gwyneth-paltrow-reveals-how-ex-brad-pitt-once-saved-her-from-harvey-weinstein--139336">Also Read:&nbsp;Gwyneth Paltrow reveals how ex Brad Pitt once saved her from Harvey Weinstein</a>

On hearing the news, one of Harvey's victims, actor <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-harvey-weinstein-slams-rose-mc-gowans-claim-of-oral-sex-not-consensual-in-book-31294">Rose McGowan</a> said, "I, and so many of Harvey Weinstein's survivors, had given up hope that our rapist would be held accountable by law.&nbsp;Twenty years ago, I swore that I would right this wrong. Today we are one step closer to justice."

Currently, the police in New York City and London have been investigating sexual abuse allegations made against Weinstein. New York City’s chief of detectives, Robert Boyce, said in March that police had gathered considerable evidence in the investigation, but the district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr, would decide whether, and when, the disgraced film producer gets indicted.

Around 100 women have accused Harvey of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and rape.

Hollywood media mogul Harvey Weinstein who has been facing multiple charges of sexual harassment, abuse and rape by several women since late last year is now reportedly expected to surrender to investigating authorities of New York on Friday, according to multiple reports. In a change of event, Harvey’s surrender could shake the things and set them in motion -- giving a closure to as many as 70 women who went on record to file a case against him on account of sexual misconduct of different levels since October 2017. The co-founder of Miramax studio and the Weinstein Company has since forever denied all allegations of non-consensual sex. Regarding the reports of Harvey’s surrender, his office of attorney, Benjamin Brafman refused to comment on it. Also Read: Harvey Weinstein's sexual harassment investigation to be made into a film Harvey Weinstein, one of the biggest names in Hollywood suffered a major personal and professional setback after scores of women came out to accuse him. Harvey has since then maintained a low key life and stayed away from the public eye. He was made to resign from his company’s board of directors. Not only this, it fuelled a movement called #MeToo in which women came out in the open to narrate their incident of sexual harassment. Also Read: Gwyneth Paltrow reveals how ex Brad Pitt once saved her from Harvey Weinstein On hearing the news, one of Harvey's victims, actor Rose McGowan said, "I, and so many of Harvey Weinstein's survivors, had given up hope that our rapist would be held accountable by law. Twenty years ago, I swore that I would right this wrong. Today we are one step closer to justice." Currently, the police in New York City and London have been investigating sexual abuse allegations made against Weinstein. New York City’s chief of detectives, Robert Boyce, said in March that police had gathered considerable evidence in the investigation, but the district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr, would decide whether, and when, the disgraced film producer gets indicted.

Harvey Weinstein to surrender on charges of sexual misconduct: Report

Film producer Harvey Weinstein on Friday surrendered to authorities at a New York City police station on sex crime charges, months after he was toppled from Hollywood`s most powerful ranks by scores of women accusing him of misconduct.

Weinstein, 66, is charged with rape, sexual misconduct, sex abuse and committing a criminal sex act against two women, the New York Police Department said in a statement, which did not identify the women. 
 
More than 70 women have accused the co-founder of the Miramax film studio and Weinstein Co of sexual misconduct, including rape, with some allegations dating back decades.

The accusations, first reported by the New York Times and the New Yorker last year, gave rise to the #MeToo movement in which hundreds of women have publicly accused powerful men in business, government and entertainment of misconduct. 
 
Weinstein arrived at the station house shortly at about 7:25 a.m.&nbsp;wearing a dark jacket over a blue sweater and white open-collared shirt and dark denim jeans, carrying what appeared to be three thick books under his right arm. 
 
Police officers escorted him inside as scores of journalists pushed up against barricades for pictures, while three police helicopters circled overhead. 
 
Weinstein is expected to be charged with raping one woman and forcing another to perform oral sex on him, the New York Times reported, citing unidentified law enforcement officials. 
Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone. 
 
Weinstein`s spokesman Juda Engelmayer and his lawyer Benjamin Brafman both declined to comment to Reuters on Thursday on the imminent charges.&nbsp; 
 
The charges follow a months-long investigation that involved the Manhattan district attorney`s office.&nbsp; 
 
The victim in the rape case has not been identified, the Times reported, but Weinstein will be charged with first-degree and third-degree rape. The other case involves allegations by Lucia Evans, a former aspiring actress who told the New Yorker that Weinstein forced her to give him oral sex in 2004, the Times reported.

More than 70 women have accused the co-founder of the Miramax film studio and Weinstein Co of sexual misconduct, including rape, with some allegations dating back decades.

Film producer Harvey Weinstein on Friday surrendered to authorities at a New York City police station on sex crime charges, months after he was toppled from Hollywood`s most powerful ranks by scores of women accusing him of misconduct. Weinstein, 66, is charged with rape, sexual misconduct, sex abuse and committing a criminal sex act against two women, the New York Police Department said in a statement, which did not identify the women. More than 70 women have accused the co-founder of the Miramax film studio and Weinstein Co of sexual misconduct, including rape, with some allegations dating back decades. The accusations, first reported by the New York Times and the New Yorker last year, gave rise to the #MeToo movement in which hundreds of women have publicly accused powerful men in business, government and entertainment of misconduct. Weinstein arrived at the station house shortly at about 7:25 a.m. wearing a dark jacket over a blue sweater and white open-collared shirt and dark denim jeans, carrying what appeared to be three thick books under his right arm. Police officers escorted him inside as scores of journalists pushed up against barricades for pictures, while three police helicopters circled overhead. Weinstein is expected to be charged with raping one woman and forcing another to perform oral sex on him, the New York Times reported, citing unidentified law enforcement officials. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone. Weinstein`s spokesman Juda Engelmayer and his lawyer Benjamin Brafman both declined to comment to Reuters on Thursday on the imminent charges. The charges follow a months-long investigation that involved the Manhattan district attorney`s office. The victim in the rape case has not been identified, the Times reported, but Weinstein will be charged with first-degree and third-degree rape. The other case involves allegations by Lucia Evans, a former aspiring actress who told the New Yorker that Weinstein forced her to give him oral sex in 2004, the Times reported.

Movie producer Harvey Weinstein surrenders on sex assault charges

Ever since sexual harassment scandal against Harvey Weinstein came to news, scores of Hollywood female celebrities have spoken about their ordeal and maintaining silence for so many years. Shocking to many, Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow also came out in the open detailing her experience with then-media mogul Harvey.&nbsp;

In a development to that news, Gwyneth now reveals how she was saved from any future altercations with Harvey as her then-boyfriend Brad Pitt intervened. She credited her ex-fiance for risking his fame and having her back against Harvey back in the day. She narrated, "We had one instance in a hotel room where he tried to...where he made a pass at me. I really kind of stood up to him, I told my boyfriend at the time, Brad Pitt."

She added, "Brad Pitt, we were at the opening of Hamlet on Broadway, that Ralph Fiennes was in Hamlet, and Harvey was there, and Brad Pitt, it was like the equivalent of throwing him against the wall, you know, energetically."&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"It was so fantastic because what he did was, he leveraged his fame and power to protect me, at a time when I didn't have fame or power yet. It was, it was fantastic. He's a good person. And Harvey was never inappropriate with me again.”

Gwyneth and Brad were a thing in 1994 when the highly publicised love affair started. Their relationship, however, lasted only till 1997.&nbsp;

Gwyneth is now engaged to Brad Falchuck. Last year she&nbsp;divorced Chris Martin after 10 years of marriage.&nbsp;

She revealed how then-boyfriend Brad Pitt kept aside his fame and had her back when Harvey made a pass at her

Ever since sexual harassment scandal against Harvey Weinstein came to news, scores of Hollywood female celebrities have spoken about their ordeal and maintaining silence for so many years. Shocking to many, Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow also came out in the open detailing her experience with then-media mogul Harvey. In a development to that news, Gwyneth now reveals how she was saved from any future altercations with Harvey as her then-boyfriend Brad Pitt intervened. She credited her ex-fiance for risking his fame and having her back against Harvey back in the day. She narrated, "We had one instance in a hotel room where he tried to...where he made a pass at me. I really kind of stood up to him, I told my boyfriend at the time, Brad Pitt." She added, "Brad Pitt, we were at the opening of Hamlet on Broadway, that Ralph Fiennes was in Hamlet, and Harvey was there, and Brad Pitt, it was like the equivalent of throwing him against the wall, you know, energetically." "It was so fantastic because what he did was, he leveraged his fame and power to protect me, at a time when I didn't have fame or power yet. It was, it was fantastic. He's a good person. And Harvey was never inappropriate with me again.” Gwyneth and Brad were a thing in 1994 when the highly publicised love affair started. Their relationship, however, lasted only till 1997. Gwyneth is now engaged to Brad Falchuck. Last year she divorced Chris Martin after 10 years of marriage.

Gwyneth Paltrow reveals how ex Brad Pitt once saved her from Harvey Weinstein

Italian star Asia Argento, one of Harvey Weinstein's first accusers, delivered a fiery speech about the disgraced Hollywood producer and issued a warning to sexual predators during the closing ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival. 
 
"In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes," the actor said before presenting the Best Actress Award.&nbsp; 
 
"I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground. I want to make a prediction: Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here ever again." 
 
Argento added, "He will live in disgrace, shunned by a film community that once embraced him and covered up for his crimes." 
 
She continued by pointing out that Weinstein was not the only predator in the industry and ended her speech with a message that offenders will no longer be able to get away with inappropriate behaviour. 
 
"And even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women. For behaviour that does not belong in this industry, does not belong in any industry or any workplace. You know who you are. You do not belong in this industry. But most importantly, we know who you are, and we're not going to allow you to get away with it any longer." 
 
Argento first revealed that she had been raped by Weinstein in The New Yorker expose about the Weinstein Company producer's history of sexual assault. Argento also admitted that an attempted rape scene in her 2000 film 'Scarlet Diva' was based on the incident. 
 
Following Argento's speech and the presentation of the award, this year's Cannes jury president Cate Blanchett said, "It is hard to stand as a woman".&nbsp;

The actress revealed how she was raped on the sidelines of the festival by the producer back in 1997.

Italian star Asia Argento, one of Harvey Weinstein's first accusers, delivered a fiery speech about the disgraced Hollywood producer and issued a warning to sexual predators during the closing ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival. "In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes," the actor said before presenting the Best Actress Award. "I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground. I want to make a prediction: Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here ever again." Argento added, "He will live in disgrace, shunned by a film community that once embraced him and covered up for his crimes." She continued by pointing out that Weinstein was not the only predator in the industry and ended her speech with a message that offenders will no longer be able to get away with inappropriate behaviour. "And even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women. For behaviour that does not belong in this industry, does not belong in any industry or any workplace. You know who you are. You do not belong in this industry. But most importantly, we know who you are, and we're not going to allow you to get away with it any longer." Argento first revealed that she had been raped by Weinstein in The New Yorker expose about the Weinstein Company producer's history of sexual assault. Argento also admitted that an attempted rape scene in her 2000 film 'Scarlet Diva' was based on the incident. Following Argento's speech and the presentation of the award, this year's Cannes jury president Cate Blanchett said, "It is hard to stand as a woman".

Cannes Film Festival was Harvey Weinstein's hunting ground, reveals his accuser Asia Argento

The estranged wife of producer Harvey Weinstein, designer Georgina Chapman, on Thursday broke her silence on accusations of sexual misconduct against him, saying they sickened her. 
 
Chapman, co-founder of the Marchesa fashion label, told Vogue magazine in her first interview since the scandal broke last October, "I lost ten pounds in five days. I couldn’t keep food down."&nbsp; 
 
The accusations against Weinstein were first reported by the New York Times and New Yorker magazine. 
 
"My head was spinning. And it was difficult because the first article was about a time long before I’d ever met him, so there was a minute where I couldn’t make an informed decision. And then the stories expanded and I realized that this wasn’t an isolated incident," the British designer said. 
 
On the day the New Yorker report was published, Chapman announced that she was leaving Weinstein, ending their 10-year marriage. The couple are in divorce proceedings. 
 
More than 70 women have accused the Hollywood producer of sexual misconduct, including rape. Weinstein has denied engaging in nonconsensual sex.&nbsp; 
 
A representative for Weinstein declined to comment on Chapman`s interview. Chapman`s representative said the designer had nothing to add. 
 
Looking back, Chapman told Vogue, "I have moments of rage, I have moments of confusion, I have moments of disbelief. And I have moments when I just cry for my children." 
 
Marchesa was once one of the biggest fashion brands on red carpets at the Oscars and other celebrity events, but few celebrities have worn the label in the past eight months.

The estranged wife of producer Harvey Weinstein, designer Georgina Chapman, on Thursday broke her silence on accusations of sexual misconduct against him

The estranged wife of producer Harvey Weinstein, designer Georgina Chapman, on Thursday broke her silence on accusations of sexual misconduct against him, saying they sickened her. Chapman, co-founder of the Marchesa fashion label, told Vogue magazine in her first interview since the scandal broke last October, "I lost ten pounds in five days. I couldn’t keep food down." The accusations against Weinstein were first reported by the New York Times and New Yorker magazine. "My head was spinning. And it was difficult because the first article was about a time long before I’d ever met him, so there was a minute where I couldn’t make an informed decision. And then the stories expanded and I realized that this wasn’t an isolated incident," the British designer said. On the day the New Yorker report was published, Chapman announced that she was leaving Weinstein, ending their 10-year marriage. The couple are in divorce proceedings. More than 70 women have accused the Hollywood producer of sexual misconduct, including rape. Weinstein has denied engaging in nonconsensual sex. A representative for Weinstein declined to comment on Chapman`s interview. Chapman`s representative said the designer had nothing to add. Looking back, Chapman told Vogue, "I have moments of rage, I have moments of confusion, I have moments of disbelief. And I have moments when I just cry for my children." Marchesa was once one of the biggest fashion brands on red carpets at the Oscars and other celebrity events, but few celebrities have worn the label in the past eight months.

Harvey Weinstein's estranged wife breaks her silence, says accusations sickened her

American actress Ashley Judd on Monday filed a defamation and sexual harassment lawsuit against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, alleging that he damaged her career after she refused his sexual advances.

The civil lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in Santa Monica, alleges that Weinstein caused Judd to lose a part in 1998 in the film "The Lord of the Rings" by making "baseless smears" against her.

The lawsuit, reviewed by Reuters, alleges that Weinstein "was retaliating against Ms. Judd for rejecting his sexual demands approximately one year earlier, when he cornered her in a hotel room under the guise of discussing business."&nbsp

"Weinstein used his power in the entertainment industry to damage Ms. Judd’s reputation and limit her ability to find work," the lawsuit added.

Weinstein has denied non-consensual sex with anyone. His spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment on Monday.

Judd was one of the first women in October 2017 to make an on the record allegation of sexual misconduct against Weinstein, which soon afterward evolved into the social media #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault. The Oscar-winning producer has since been accused of sexual impropriety by more than 70 women.

Judd, a leading member of the "Time's Up" movement against sexual harassment in the workplace, is seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial.

Judd's representative did not immediately return a call for comment.

The actress said in a statement to the New York Times that any financial recuperation from the lawsuit would be donated to Time's Up "so that women and men in all professions may have legal redress for sexual harassment, economic retaliation and damage to their careers."&nbsp

The civil lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in Santa Monica, alleges that Weinstein caused Judd to lose a part in 1998 in the film 'The Lord of the Rings' by making 'baseless smears' against her

American actress Ashley Judd on Monday filed a defamation and sexual harassment lawsuit against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, alleging that he damaged her career after she refused his sexual advances. The civil lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in Santa Monica, alleges that Weinstein caused Judd to lose a part in 1998 in the film "The Lord of the Rings" by making "baseless smears" against her. The lawsuit, reviewed by Reuters, alleges that Weinstein "was retaliating against Ms. Judd for rejecting his sexual demands approximately one year earlier, when he cornered her in a hotel room under the guise of discussing business." "Weinstein used his power in the entertainment industry to damage Ms. Judd’s reputation and limit her ability to find work," the lawsuit added. Weinstein has denied non-consensual sex with anyone. His spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment on Monday. Judd was one of the first women in October 2017 to make an on the record allegation of sexual misconduct against Weinstein, which soon afterward evolved into the social media #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault. The Oscar-winning producer has since been accused of sexual impropriety by more than 70 women. Judd, a leading member of the "Time's Up" movement against sexual harassment in the workplace, is seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial. Judd's representative did not immediately return a call for comment. The actress said in a statement to the New York Times that any financial recuperation from the lawsuit would be donated to Time's Up "so that women and men in all professions may have legal redress for sexual harassment, economic retaliation and damage to their careers."

American actress Ashley Judd sues Harvey Weinstein for defamation, sexual harassment

Pakistani actor-singer Ali Zafar was in news yesterday as his colleague from the Pakistani music industry, Meesha Shafi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/entertainment-pakistani-singer-meesha-shafi-accuses-ali-zafar-of-sexual-harassment-says-she-feels-betrayed-by-his-behaviour-131428">accused</a> him of sexual harassment. Ali Zafar has now responded to these allegations and denied all of them.

In his reply to the accusations, Zafar wrote, “I am deeply aware and in support of the global #Metoo movement and what it stands for. I am the father of a young girl and a young boy, a husband to a wife and son to a mother. I am a man that has stood up for myself, my family, my colleagues and friends countless times in the face of slander, defamation and general unkindness. I will do the same today. I have nothing to hide, silence is not an option.”

He added, “I categorically deny any and all claims of harassment lodged against me by Ms Shafi. I intend to take this through the courts of law and to address this professionally and seriously rather than to lodge any allegations here, contesting personal vendetta on social media and in turn disrespecting the movement, my family, the industry and fans. Ultimately, I am a strong believer that the truth, always prevails.”

His full post:&nbsp;

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Shafi, had on Thursday, claimed that Zafar had harassed her on several occasions. She wrote a long post on Twitter explaining how difficult it was for her to open up and speak about this. She mentioned that she did not believe it when it happened to her as they have both shared the stage on several occasions.

She wrote: “Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo.”

She said, “I have been subjected to sexual harassment of a physical nature at the hands of a colleague from my industry: Ali Zafar. These incidences did not happen when I was young or just entering the industry. This happened to be despite the fact that I am an empowered, accomplished woman who is known for speaking her mind! This happened to me as a mother of two children.”

This comes at a time when the entire Hollywood industry came together to support <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/golden-globes-2018-updates-dressed-in-black-hollywood-stars-have-a-message-28820">#MeToo</a> and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-times-up-reese-witherspoon-jennifer-anniston-meryl-streep-and-others-join-hands-to-fight-against-sexual-harassment-28305">Time's Up</a> campaign that started to aid victims of abuse, sexual harassment and rape. Last year opened a can of worms for many producers, actors and other staff of Hollywood who was accused by their peers and subordinates of sexual assault and harassment. The biggest case was that of Harvey Weinstein who was accused by more than 80 women of harassing them over a period of time.&nbsp;

Meesha Shafi, a Pakistani singer accused Ali Zafar of sexual harassment in a tweet on Thursday

Pakistani actor-singer Ali Zafar was in news yesterday as his colleague from the Pakistani music industry, Meesha Shafi accused him of sexual harassment. Ali Zafar has now responded to these allegations and denied all of them. In his reply to the accusations, Zafar wrote, “I am deeply aware and in support of the global #Metoo movement and what it stands for. I am the father of a young girl and a young boy, a husband to a wife and son to a mother. I am a man that has stood up for myself, my family, my colleagues and friends countless times in the face of slander, defamation and general unkindness. I will do the same today. I have nothing to hide, silence is not an option.” He added, “I categorically deny any and all claims of harassment lodged against me by Ms Shafi. I intend to take this through the courts of law and to address this professionally and seriously rather than to lodge any allegations here, contesting personal vendetta on social media and in turn disrespecting the movement, my family, the industry and fans. Ultimately, I am a strong believer that the truth, always prevails.” His full post: pic.twitter.com/j1C34onEXC — Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) April 19, 2018 × Shafi, had on Thursday, claimed that Zafar had harassed her on several occasions. She wrote a long post on Twitter explaining how difficult it was for her to open up and speak about this. She mentioned that she did not believe it when it happened to her as they have both shared the stage on several occasions. She wrote: “Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo.” She said, “I have been subjected to sexual harassment of a physical nature at the hands of a colleague from my industry: Ali Zafar. These incidences did not happen when I was young or just entering the industry. This happened to be despite the fact that I am an empowered, accomplished woman who is known for speaking her mind! This happened to me as a mother of two children.” This comes at a time when the entire Hollywood industry came together to support #MeToo and Time's Up campaign that started to aid victims of abuse, sexual harassment and rape. Last year opened a can of worms for many producers, actors and other staff of Hollywood who was accused by their peers and subordinates of sexual assault and harassment. The biggest case was that of Harvey Weinstein who was accused by more than 80 women of harassing them over a period of time.

Pakistani singer Ali Zafar denies sexual harassment allegations, says 'have nothing to hide'

Hollywood has undergone a massive change ever since Harvey Weinstein sex scandal came into the limelight. There has been more conversation about sexual harassment at workplace and actress Aishwarya Rai has lauded the #MeToo movement that has come into being,&nbsp;post the Weinstein scandal.&nbsp; 
 
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph in Sydney, the actress said, "A movement such as the #MeToo movement ... has brought out a lot of conversation and sharing. The good thing is that people are talking. I don’t think this (subject) needs to restrict itself to one part of the world. That is definitely positive, which has come about with this entire subject.”

“If a woman feels compromised and she feels the need to share an experience that has completely challenged her sense of being, it is amazing that she comes out, speaks forth about it, and takes the people to task. This idea does not limit itself to show business or the film industry. It is people discussing it from all walks of life," the actress added.&nbsp; 
 
The #MeToo Campaign gained momentum last year soon after the Harvey Weinsetin scandal broke out and became viral after women across the world spoke out about the sexual harssment thay have faced in their lives. The hashtag was used to spread awareness about sexual harassment in the workplace.

The actress, meanwhile, is working on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/fanneh-khan-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-looks-drop-dead-gorgeous-in-the-first-look-of-the-film-32763">Fanne</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/fanneh-khan-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-looks-drop-dead-gorgeous-in-the-first-look-of-the-film-32763">&nbsp;Khan</a> which also co-stars Anil Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao.&nbsp; 
 
There are reports that Ash will also be part of the remake of Woh Kaun Thi opposite Shahid Kapoor, alkthough there has no official confirmation from the actress.&nbsp;

Aishwarya Rai has lauded the #MeToo movement that has come into being, post the Weinstein scandal.

Hollywood has undergone a massive change ever since Harvey Weinstein sex scandal came into the limelight. There has been more conversation about sexual harassment at workplace and actress Aishwarya Rai has lauded the #MeToo movement that has come into being, post the Weinstein scandal. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph in Sydney, the actress said, "A movement such as the #MeToo movement ... has brought out a lot of conversation and sharing. The good thing is that people are talking. I don’t think this (subject) needs to restrict itself to one part of the world. That is definitely positive, which has come about with this entire subject.” “If a woman feels compromised and she feels the need to share an experience that has completely challenged her sense of being, it is amazing that she comes out, speaks forth about it, and takes the people to task. This idea does not limit itself to show business or the film industry. It is people discussing it from all walks of life," the actress added. The #MeToo Campaign gained momentum last year soon after the Harvey Weinsetin scandal broke out and became viral after women across the world spoke out about the sexual harssment thay have faced in their lives. The hashtag was used to spread awareness about sexual harassment in the workplace. The actress, meanwhile, is working on Fanne Khan which also co-stars Anil Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. There are reports that Ash will also be part of the remake of Woh Kaun Thi opposite Shahid Kapoor, alkthough there has no official confirmation from the actress.

Aishwarya Rai on #MeToo: Sexual harassment not limited to show business

Six months after bombshell sexual assault allegations blew up against Harvey Weinstein, pressure is growing for the onetime Hollywood mogul to be brought to justice, with the Manhattan prosecutor under fire for failing to bring a criminal case against him three years ago.&nbsp;

Acting on demand from the Time&#39;s Up movement led by top Hollywood actresses, New York authorities vowed late Monday to &quot;review&quot; why the Manhattan district attorney did not prosecute the disgraced movie mogul in 2015.

&quot;We are committed to pursuing a full, fair, and independent review of this matter,&quot; the state attorney general tweeted after Time&#39;s Up urged Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is up for re-election, to act.

More than 100 women have publicly accused Weinstein since October, allegations that sparked a sexual harassment watershed and ended his career.&nbsp;

His wife left him and police opened criminal investigations in London, Los Angeles and New York. He has been hit by a litany of civil lawsuits that stand to see the 66-year-old financially ruined.

But besides reportedly undergoing treatment for sex addiction at an Arizona clinic, the former powerbroker remains at large after hiring Ben Brafman, one of America&#39;s most celebrated criminal defense lawyers.

Frustrated by the apparent failure to bring him to justice, the movement founded by the likes of Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Chastain demanded Cuomo investigate the failure to prosecute the case of Italian model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez, one of the first women to come forward against Weinstein.

Had district attorney Cyrus Vance done so, other potential victims may have avoided being mistreated by the producer, they argued.&nbsp;

Time&#39;s Up called &quot;particularly disturbing&quot; reports that the mogul &quot;could have... improperly influenced&quot; Vance and that officials in the prosecutor&#39;s office &quot;may have sought to intimidate Battilana.&quot;

&quot;An independent investigation into the full decision-making process in this case, including a full review of the correspondence within the office and with any representatives for Mr Weinstein, must be undertaken immediately,&quot; the movement added.

But while state attorney general Eric Schneiderman vowed to open an inquiry, New York&#39;s police chief James O&#39;Neill and Vance hit back jointly at a magazine report alleging improper influence.

O&#39;Neill and Vance insisted they were &quot;fully committed partners&quot; and touted their &quot;unparalleled track record of holding sexual predators from all backgrounds accountable in thousands of sex crimes.&quot;

&#39;Fair question&#39; 
&quot;We are confident that any review will confirm that our office has pursued its investigation without fear or favor, based on the merits alone,&quot; Vance spokesman Danny Frost said in a statement.

&quot;We will of course provide the attorney general with any necessary information, and expect that he will promptly determine that our office has been guided solely by the facts and the law.&quot;

Frost said nothing about the chances of bringing a case to court, only that prosecutors &quot;must make sure they can prove to a jury that every element of a criminal statute was violated beyond a reasonable doubt.&quot;

Michael Weinstein, a New York lawyer and former federal prosecutor not related to the ex-producer, said Time&#39;s Up was asking a &quot;fair question.&quot;

&quot;The state always wants to get it right, but when you have a very good, savvy defense lawyer on the other side, you really try to do it properly,&quot; he told AFP.

Weinstein hired Brafman, one of America&#39;s top lawyers, in November, just days after New York police confirmed they were gathering evidence for a possible arrest warrant.

Brafman&#39;s past clients include former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who ultimately escaped criminal prosecution by Vance for alleged sexual assault in 2011.

&quot;The prosecutor is not there to satisfy the demands of the public mob, they are there to be independent and evaluate the presentation of evidence,&quot; said Michael Weinstein.

There could be other reasons why the prosecutor has not moved, the lawyer explained -- federal prosecutors, for example, may be investigating the financial settlements used to pay off alleged victims and may have asked him to hold back.

Even bringing Weinstein to trial does not predicate a conviction. Strauss-Kahn got off in the United States. So did Michael Jackson, acquitted of child molestation, and Bill Cosby was last year given a reprieve by a hung jury on allegations of sexual assault.

His retrial next month could determine whether the 80-year-old disgraced comic faces prison over allegations that he drugged and molested a university basketball official.

Acting on demand from the Time's Up movement led by top Hollywood actresses, New York authorities vowed late Monday to 'review' why the Manhattan district attorney did not prosecute the disgraced movie mogul in 2015

Six months after bombshell sexual assault allegations blew up against Harvey Weinstein, pressure is growing for the onetime Hollywood mogul to be brought to justice, with the Manhattan prosecutor under fire for failing to bring a criminal case against him three years ago. Acting on demand from the Time's Up movement led by top Hollywood actresses, New York authorities vowed late Monday to "review" why the Manhattan district attorney did not prosecute the disgraced movie mogul in 2015. "We are committed to pursuing a full, fair, and independent review of this matter," the state attorney general tweeted after Time's Up urged Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is up for re-election, to act. More than 100 women have publicly accused Weinstein since October, allegations that sparked a sexual harassment watershed and ended his career. His wife left him and police opened criminal investigations in London, Los Angeles and New York. He has been hit by a litany of civil lawsuits that stand to see the 66-year-old financially ruined. But besides reportedly undergoing treatment for sex addiction at an Arizona clinic, the former powerbroker remains at large after hiring Ben Brafman, one of America's most celebrated criminal defense lawyers. Frustrated by the apparent failure to bring him to justice, the movement founded by the likes of Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Chastain demanded Cuomo investigate the failure to prosecute the case of Italian model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez, one of the first women to come forward against Weinstein. Had district attorney Cyrus Vance done so, other potential victims may have avoided being mistreated by the producer, they argued. Time's Up called "particularly disturbing" reports that the mogul "could have... improperly influenced" Vance and that officials in the prosecutor's office "may have sought to intimidate Battilana." "An independent investigation into the full decision-making process in this case, including a full review of the correspondence within the office and with any representatives for Mr Weinstein, must be undertaken immediately," the movement added. But while state attorney general Eric Schneiderman vowed to open an inquiry, New York's police chief James O'Neill and Vance hit back jointly at a magazine report alleging improper influence. O'Neill and Vance insisted they were "fully committed partners" and touted their "unparalleled track record of holding sexual predators from all backgrounds accountable in thousands of sex crimes." 'Fair question' "We are confident that any review will confirm that our office has pursued its investigation without fear or favor, based on the merits alone," Vance spokesman Danny Frost said in a statement. "We will of course provide the attorney general with any necessary information, and expect that he will promptly determine that our office has been guided solely by the facts and the law." Frost said nothing about the chances of bringing a case to court, only that prosecutors "must make sure they can prove to a jury that every element of a criminal statute was violated beyond a reasonable doubt." Michael Weinstein, a New York lawyer and former federal prosecutor not related to the ex-producer, said Time's Up was asking a "fair question." "The state always wants to get it right, but when you have a very good, savvy defense lawyer on the other side, you really try to do it properly," he told AFP. Weinstein hired Brafman, one of America's top lawyers, in November, just days after New York police confirmed they were gathering evidence for a possible arrest warrant. Brafman's past clients include former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who ultimately escaped criminal prosecution by Vance for alleged sexual assault in 2011. "The prosecutor is not there to satisfy the demands of the public mob, they are there to be independent and evaluate the presentation of evidence," said Michael Weinstein. There could be other reasons why the prosecutor has not moved, the lawyer explained -- federal prosecutors, for example, may be investigating the financial settlements used to pay off alleged victims and may have asked him to hold back. Even bringing Weinstein to trial does not predicate a conviction. Strauss-Kahn got off in the United States. So did Michael Jackson, acquitted of child molestation, and Bill Cosby was last year given a reprieve by a hung jury on allegations of sexual assault. His retrial next month could determine whether the 80-year-old disgraced comic faces prison over allegations that he drugged and molested a university basketball official.

Six months on, pressure builds for Weinstein prosecution

Harvey Weinstein&#39;s former assistant is seeking legal action against the producer, claiming she was forced to clean up after his &quot;sexual encounters&quot;.

The 65-year-old disgraced producer has faced several allegations of historic sexual harassment over the past few months, and now his former assistant Sandeep Rehal is suing Weinstein for allegedly being &quot;forced to work in a pervasive and severe sexually hostile work environment.&quot;

According to documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Sandeep is seeking action against Weinstein, his brother Bob, The Weinstein Company and the company&#39;s head of human resources Frank Gil.

Sandeep started working for Weinstein in 2013 when she was 26, and according to the documents, she quit two years later in 2015 when she reached &quot;an emotional breaking point.&quot;

The documents claim that Sandeep was involved in &quot;catering to Harvey Weinstein&#39;s sexual appetites and activities&quot;, including being involved in both the &quot;preparations&quot; and the &quot;clean up&quot; of Weinstein&#39;s &quot;extremely prolific sexual encounters.&quot;

Sandeep also alleges that part of her duties included cleaning up &quot;the semen on the couch in Harvey Weinstein&#39;s office,&quot; which she claimed, &quot;happened on a regular basis, three or so times a week when Harvey Weinstein was in New York.&quot;

The assistant also alleges that Weinstein &quot;used sexist and sexual language&quot; when speaking to her, as well as claiming the producer made advances on her as he would allegedly &quot;touch her thighs&quot; when she took car rides with him.

Weinstein has already responded to the claims made against him by Sandeep, saying he &quot;categorically denies&quot; the allegations.

A spokesperson for the producer said in a statement: &quot; Mr Weinstein categorically denies these claims and his lawyers will respond in the appropriate legal forum with evidence proving they are untrue, a spokesperson.&quot;

Credit: BANG Showbiz

The former assistant claims that she was forced to clean up after his 'sexual encounters'

Harvey Weinstein's former assistant is seeking legal action against the producer, claiming she was forced to clean up after his "sexual encounters". The 65-year-old disgraced producer has faced several allegations of historic sexual harassment over the past few months, and now his former assistant Sandeep Rehal is suing Weinstein for allegedly being "forced to work in a pervasive and severe sexually hostile work environment." According to documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Sandeep is seeking action against Weinstein, his brother Bob, The Weinstein Company and the company's head of human resources Frank Gil. Sandeep started working for Weinstein in 2013 when she was 26, and according to the documents, she quit two years later in 2015 when she reached "an emotional breaking point." The documents claim that Sandeep was involved in "catering to Harvey Weinstein's sexual appetites and activities", including being involved in both the "preparations" and the "clean up" of Weinstein's "extremely prolific sexual encounters." Sandeep also alleges that part of her duties included cleaning up "the semen on the couch in Harvey Weinstein's office," which she claimed, "happened on a regular basis, three or so times a week when Harvey Weinstein was in New York." The assistant also alleges that Weinstein "used sexist and sexual language" when speaking to her, as well as claiming the producer made advances on her as he would allegedly "touch her thighs" when she took car rides with him. Weinstein has already responded to the claims made against him by Sandeep, saying he "categorically denies" the allegations. A spokesperson for the producer said in a statement: " Mr Weinstein categorically denies these claims and his lawyers will respond in the appropriate legal forum with evidence proving they are untrue, a spokesperson." Credit: BANG Showbiz

Former assistant sues Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein

New York state sued Harvey Weinstein, his brother and their production company on Sunday for failing to protect employees from years of his alleged sexual misconduct despite multiple complaints from staff.

The lawsuit comes four months after the Hollywood mogul&#39;s downfall over allegations of sexual harassment, assault and rape now leveled against the producer by more than 100 women over 40 years.

State prosecutors said the legal action, the result of an ongoing four-month investigation, was filed Sunday out of fear that an imminent sale of The Weinstein Company, now on the verge of bankruptcy, could leave victims without adequate redress.

The lawsuit, which could delay the sale, accuses the company&#39;s board and executives of repeatedly failing to take adequate steps to protect staff or curb Weinstein&#39;s behavior, despite multiple complaints to human resources.

It alleges that female assistants were required to facilitate Weinstein&#39;s sex life as a condition of employment and had copies of a manual, known as a &quot;Bible,&quot; that included directions on how to do so.

Prosecutors said Weinstein made verbal threats to &quot;kill&quot; several staff or their families and touted his connection to political figures and alleged Secret Service contacts that could &quot;take care of problems.&quot;

They said one employee was flown from London to New York to teach his assistants &quot;how to dress and smell more attractive&quot; to Weinstein.

They also alleged that Weinstein&#39;s drivers in New York and Los Angeles were required to keep condoms and erectile dysfunction injections in the car at all times.

Prosecutors said Weinstein made a female employee take dictation while leering at her as he lay naked on his bed in 2014-15. He also put his hand on her upper thigh and buttocks near her genitalia to rub her without consent in the back of cars.

Largely female assistants allegedly contacted prospective sexual partners via text message or phone at his direction, and maintained space on his calendar for sexual activity.

Vicious mistreatment

Female executives also allegedly had to meet prospective sexual conquests and follow through on promised job offers, which prosecutors said demeaned and humiliated them, fueling a hostile work environment.

The New York state attorney&#39;s office said that despite multiple complaints to the human resources department, there was no meaningful investigation or relief for victims, or consequences for Weinstein.

It said the company&#39;s toxic work environment was shrouded in secrecy because of a practice of reaching non-disclosure agreements -- a policy that has come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of the sexual harassment watershed that has followed Weinstein&#39;s downfall.

State attorney general Eric Schneiderman said the lawsuit, filed in the State Supreme Court in New York, included new allegations about Weinstein&#39;s &quot;vicious and exploitative mistreatment&quot; of employees.

&quot;As alleged in our complaint, The Weinstein Company repeatedly broke New York law by failing to protect its employees from pervasive sexual harassment, intimidation and discrimination,&quot; said Schneiderman.

&quot;Any sale of The Weinstein Company must ensure that victims will be compensated, employees will be protected going forward and that neither perpetrators nor enablers will be unjustly enriched.&quot;

Weinstein is reportedly in treatment for sex addiction and is under investigation by British and US police, although he has not been charged with any crime. He denies having non-consensual sex.

Last week, the district attorney&#39;s office in Los Angeles said police had submitted three Weinstein sexual assault cases to prosecutors.

A group of investors led by a former official who served in president Barack Obama&#39;s administration is understood to be in advanced talks to buy The Weinstein Company.

Deadline, the Hollywood insider website that first reported the advanced talks, said a roughly $500 million bid by the group led by Maria Contreras-Sweet included a fund to compensate victims.

Prosecutors said Weinstein made verbal threats to "kill" several staff or their families and touted his connection to political figures and alleged Secret Service contacts that could 'take care of problems'

New York state sued Harvey Weinstein, his brother and their production company on Sunday for failing to protect employees from years of his alleged sexual misconduct despite multiple complaints from staff. The lawsuit comes four months after the Hollywood mogul's downfall over allegations of sexual harassment, assault and rape now leveled against the producer by more than 100 women over 40 years. State prosecutors said the legal action, the result of an ongoing four-month investigation, was filed Sunday out of fear that an imminent sale of The Weinstein Company, now on the verge of bankruptcy, could leave victims without adequate redress. The lawsuit, which could delay the sale, accuses the company's board and executives of repeatedly failing to take adequate steps to protect staff or curb Weinstein's behavior, despite multiple complaints to human resources. It alleges that female assistants were required to facilitate Weinstein's sex life as a condition of employment and had copies of a manual, known as a "Bible," that included directions on how to do so. Prosecutors said Weinstein made verbal threats to "kill" several staff or their families and touted his connection to political figures and alleged Secret Service contacts that could "take care of problems." They said one employee was flown from London to New York to teach his assistants "how to dress and smell more attractive" to Weinstein. They also alleged that Weinstein's drivers in New York and Los Angeles were required to keep condoms and erectile dysfunction injections in the car at all times. Prosecutors said Weinstein made a female employee take dictation while leering at her as he lay naked on his bed in 2014-15. He also put his hand on her upper thigh and buttocks near her genitalia to rub her without consent in the back of cars. Largely female assistants allegedly contacted prospective sexual partners via text message or phone at his direction, and maintained space on his calendar for sexual activity. Vicious mistreatment Female executives also allegedly had to meet prospective sexual conquests and follow through on promised job offers, which prosecutors said demeaned and humiliated them, fueling a hostile work environment. The New York state attorney's office said that despite multiple complaints to the human resources department, there was no meaningful investigation or relief for victims, or consequences for Weinstein. It said the company's toxic work environment was shrouded in secrecy because of a practice of reaching non-disclosure agreements -- a policy that has come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of the sexual harassment watershed that has followed Weinstein's downfall. State attorney general Eric Schneiderman said the lawsuit, filed in the State Supreme Court in New York, included new allegations about Weinstein's "vicious and exploitative mistreatment" of employees. "As alleged in our complaint, The Weinstein Company repeatedly broke New York law by failing to protect its employees from pervasive sexual harassment, intimidation and discrimination," said Schneiderman. "Any sale of The Weinstein Company must ensure that victims will be compensated, employees will be protected going forward and that neither perpetrators nor enablers will be unjustly enriched." Weinstein is reportedly in treatment for sex addiction and is under investigation by British and US police, although he has not been charged with any crime. He denies having non-consensual sex. Last week, the district attorney's office in Los Angeles said police had submitted three Weinstein sexual assault cases to prosecutors. A group of investors led by a former official who served in president Barack Obama's administration is understood to be in advanced talks to buy The Weinstein Company. Deadline, the Hollywood insider website that first reported the advanced talks, said a roughly $500 million bid by the group led by Maria Contreras-Sweet included a fund to compensate victims.

Hollywood mogul's downfall continues, New York state sues Weinstein and Company for failing to protect staff

Dame Helen Mirren says men used to &quot;expose&quot; themselves to her once a week in her 20s.

The &quot;Queen&quot; star insists she has never experienced sexual harassment in Hollywood but was subjected to it regularly in her younger years.

Speaking in a preview clip of her Today interview with Willie Geist, which airs in full on January 21, she said: &quot;I had never experienced that ... in Hollywood. Because I came to Hollywood, I was in my 30s. I was too old. It doesn&#39;t happen to you unless you&#39;re very young.

&quot;When I was in between 16 and 23, 24 - men would expose themselves to me often, I would say about once a week ... on the subway, on the tube, on the bus, walking down a road and it was like, &#39;Ugh.&#39;&quot;

Helen previously revealed she &quot;wishes she had told people to f**k off more&quot; when she was younger.

When asked what advice she would give her younger self, the 72-year-old actress shared: &quot;It&#39;d be to say &#39;F**k off&#39; more and stop being so bloody polite... In those days, you had to. It&#39;s hard to explain how difficult it is to overcome the culture. You become a voice in the wilderness. No one wants to listen.&quot;

And Helen Mirren believes things have &quot;changed substantially&quot; for women in the film and television industry in the last decade.

She said: &quot;Hugely. In the last 10 years - or really the last three or four years - things have changed substantially. There is a pressure mounting behind a dam, and I hope that that dam is finally bursting in terms of women directors and women-led dramas. When I first did &#39;Prime Suspect&#39; they were not at all sure that a female-led drama would be acceptable to the public. So that&#39;s how much things have changed since we first began &#39;Prime Suspect&#39;. It&#39;s changed hugely.&quot;

She insists she has never experienced sexual harassment in Hollywood but was subjected to it regularly in her younger years

Dame Helen Mirren says men used to "expose" themselves to her once a week in her 20s. The "Queen" star insists she has never experienced sexual harassment in Hollywood but was subjected to it regularly in her younger years. Speaking in a preview clip of her Today interview with Willie Geist, which airs in full on January 21, she said: "I had never experienced that ... in Hollywood. Because I came to Hollywood, I was in my 30s. I was too old. It doesn't happen to you unless you're very young. "When I was in between 16 and 23, 24 - men would expose themselves to me often, I would say about once a week ... on the subway, on the tube, on the bus, walking down a road and it was like, 'Ugh.'" Helen previously revealed she "wishes she had told people to f**k off more" when she was younger. When asked what advice she would give her younger self, the 72-year-old actress shared: "It'd be to say 'F**k off' more and stop being so bloody polite... In those days, you had to. It's hard to explain how difficult it is to overcome the culture. You become a voice in the wilderness. No one wants to listen." And Helen Mirren believes things have "changed substantially" for women in the film and television industry in the last decade. She said: "Hugely. In the last 10 years - or really the last three or four years - things have changed substantially. There is a pressure mounting behind a dam, and I hope that that dam is finally bursting in terms of women directors and women-led dramas. When I first did 'Prime Suspect' they were not at all sure that a female-led drama would be acceptable to the public. So that's how much things have changed since we first began 'Prime Suspect'. It's changed hugely."

Dame Helen Mirren says men exposed themselves to her

After being criticised for his controversial remarks on sexual harassment in Hollywood, actor Matt Damon said that he vows to spend more time listening and less time talking. 
 
Damon apologized for his comments on sexual misconduct and severely criticised for his insensitive remarks. In a recent interview to a leading US channel, Damon was asked what he`d learn from the criticism of his comments and the actor replied, &quot;I really wish I`d listened a lot more before I weighed in on this. I don`t want to further anybody`s pain with anything that I do or say. So for that, I am really sorry.&quot;

The&nbsp;star also noted that he loves and respects the women that are coming ahead and speaking about their horrific experiences with the #TimesUp movement. 
 
&quot;[With] Time`s Up, a lot of those women are my dear friends, and I love them and respect them and support what they`re doing,&quot; explained Damon. 
 
He concluded his comments by saying that he wants to be a part of the change that has been happening in the industry but feels that he should take a backseat for a while and keep his mouth shut. 
 
Damon had earlier in an interview said that while he finds it &quot;wonderful&quot; that women are speaking out against their alleged perpetrators, there is a &quot;continuum&quot; with respect to questionable behaviour.At that time he said, &quot;I think it`s wonderful that women are feeling empowered to tell their stories, and it`s totally necessary. I do believe there`s a spectrum of behaviour.There`s a difference between patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right? Both of those behaviors need to be confronted and eradicated without question, but they shouldn`t be conflated.&quot;

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MEA CULPA: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MattDamon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MattDamon</a> offers an apology after his comments about sexual misconduct drew criticism. The Oscar winner had said that there were varying levels of sexual misconduct and the retribution should reflect that <a href="https://t.co/D3u6s9A3BX">https://t.co/D3u6s9A3BX</a> <a href="https://t.co/7I8XtLBEeq">pic.twitter.com/7I8XtLBEeq</a>
&mdash; AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) <a href="https://twitter.com/APEntertainment/status/953392998238375937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Actresses Alyssa Milano and Damon`s Good Will Hunting&nbsp;co-star Minnie Driver were among the high-profile Hollywood women to criticize the actor`s comments.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)

The star also noted that he loves and respects the women that are coming ahead and speaking about their horrific experiences with the #TimesUp movement.

After being criticised for his controversial remarks on sexual harassment in Hollywood, actor Matt Damon said that he vows to spend more time listening and less time talking. Damon apologized for his comments on sexual misconduct and severely criticised for his insensitive remarks. In a recent interview to a leading US channel, Damon was asked what he`d learn from the criticism of his comments and the actor replied, "I really wish I`d listened a lot more before I weighed in on this. I don`t want to further anybody`s pain with anything that I do or say. So for that, I am really sorry." The star also noted that he loves and respects the women that are coming ahead and speaking about their horrific experiences with the #TimesUp movement. "[With] Time`s Up, a lot of those women are my dear friends, and I love them and respect them and support what they`re doing," explained Damon. He concluded his comments by saying that he wants to be a part of the change that has been happening in the industry but feels that he should take a backseat for a while and keep his mouth shut. Damon had earlier in an interview said that while he finds it "wonderful" that women are speaking out against their alleged perpetrators, there is a "continuum" with respect to questionable behaviour.At that time he said, "I think it`s wonderful that women are feeling empowered to tell their stories, and it`s totally necessary. I do believe there`s a spectrum of behaviour.There`s a difference between patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right? Both of those behaviors need to be confronted and eradicated without question, but they shouldn`t be conflated." MEA CULPA: #MattDamon offers an apology after his comments about sexual misconduct drew criticism. The Oscar winner had said that there were varying levels of sexual misconduct and the retribution should reflect that https://t.co/D3u6s9A3BX pic.twitter.com/7I8XtLBEeq — AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) January 16, 2018 × Actresses Alyssa Milano and Damon`s Good Will Hunting co-star Minnie Driver were among the high-profile Hollywood women to criticize the actor`s comments. (With agency inputs)

Matt Damon apologises for his comments on sexual misconduct; vows to spend more time listening

As a result of the #MeToo campaign, US sexual assault hotlines are receiving a record number of calls from victims trying to reach out for help.

According to reports, the spike in calls was seen ever since the movement began in October 2017.

Reuters reported that the hotline operated by the &#39;Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network&#39;&nbsp;received a total of 209,480 calls, highest ever since the network was set-up in the year 1993.

People waited for up to three hours to talk at the National Sexual Assault Hotline, stated reports.

According to the DC Rape Crisis Center&#39;s Executive Director, Indira Henard, close to 70 people seek legal, physical or psychological help in a week. The number was around 30 to 40 a week before the campaign started.

The center also saw a spike in its donations.

The MeToo campaign became viral October 2017 onward as a hashtag started from Twitter.

The campaign started with an aim to spread awareness about the widespread prevalence of sexual harassment.

Many celebrities revealed shocking instances of sexual misconduct faced by them.

Allegations of sexual misconduct emerged against eminent Hollywood personalities like Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.

Dozens of women accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, however, Weinstein denied the reports.

Some of the most notable personalities who shared stories of sexual violence included Jennifer Lawrence, Reese Witherspoon, Lady Gaga, Uma Thurman, Ellen DeGeneres and Ashley Judd among others.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The hotline operated by the 'Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network' received 209,480 calls in total

As a result of the #MeToo campaign, US sexual assault hotlines are receiving a record number of calls from victims trying to reach out for help. According to reports, the spike in calls was seen ever since the movement began in October 2017. Reuters reported that the hotline operated by the 'Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network' received a total of 209,480 calls, highest ever since the network was set-up in the year 1993. People waited for up to three hours to talk at the National Sexual Assault Hotline, stated reports. According to the DC Rape Crisis Center's Executive Director, Indira Henard, close to 70 people seek legal, physical or psychological help in a week. The number was around 30 to 40 a week before the campaign started. The center also saw a spike in its donations. The MeToo campaign became viral October 2017 onward as a hashtag started from Twitter. The campaign started with an aim to spread awareness about the widespread prevalence of sexual harassment. Many celebrities revealed shocking instances of sexual misconduct faced by them. Allegations of sexual misconduct emerged against eminent Hollywood personalities like Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey. Dozens of women accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, however, Weinstein denied the reports. Some of the most notable personalities who shared stories of sexual violence included Jennifer Lawrence, Reese Witherspoon, Lady Gaga, Uma Thurman, Ellen DeGeneres and Ashley Judd among others. (With inputs from Reuters)

US Sexual assault hotlines flooded after #MeToo campaign

Tuesday night dinner became chaotic for disgraced Hollywood film mogul <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/weinsteins-a-predator-not-a-sex-addict-says-actress-emma-thompson-5959" target="_blank">Harvey Weinstein</a> when a diner slapped him while the former was spotted eating with a friend.&nbsp;

The confrontation happened in&nbsp;Elements restaurant at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort &amp; Spa in Paradise Valley when a fellow diner decided to give a slap to Weinstein for all his shortcomings.

The diner apparently asked for a photo with Weinstein to which the producer refused. The slap came after, as a reply to his &quot;no&quot;.&nbsp;

In the video, the man can be seen walking up to Weinstein and saying,&nbsp;&quot;You&#39;re such a piece of s--- for what you did to these women.&quot; Weinstein is seen caught off-guard.&nbsp;

Watch the video:&nbsp;

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Yikes! Harvey Weinstein got slapped and cussed out while eating dinner in Arizona. He&#39;s currently in rehab at a facility in the same state. Not an advocate of violence but karma is a ________. <a href="https://t.co/oalW80gU4o">pic.twitter.com/oalW80gU4o</a>
&mdash; Jessie (Kofie and Jessie Podcast on iTunes) (@JMKTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMKTV/status/951169291306586112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The incident was confirmed to the media by&nbsp;Weinstein&#39;s representative Sallie Hofmeister.&nbsp;

The producer is said to be undergoing rehab&nbsp;through the exclusive Meadows centre in Wickenburg. He has been spotted in the Valley over the oast few months after sexual abuse allegations surfaced against the producer.&nbsp;

More than <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-now-salma-hayek-accuses-harvey-weinstein-of-abuse-forced-nudity-and-threat-to-kill-her-26691" target="_blank">80 women</a> have come out against Weinstein accusing him of inappropriate to criminal behaviour, including allegations of rape. Weinstein has denied the allegations and two police investigations are under review by the Los Angeles district attorney.&nbsp;

Recently, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/golden-globes-2018-updates-dressed-in-black-hollywood-stars-have-a-message-28820" target="_blank">Hollywood stars wore black</a> at Golden Globes red carpet in support of victims of abuse.&nbsp;The stars, both women and men (not so surprisingly) could be seen dressed in all black for the occasion -- as a symbol of the highly-talked Time&#39;s Up campaign that started off against this prevalent culture of misuse of power in one of the biggest entertainment industries of the world.

&nbsp;

Weinstein was eating dinner with his coach at a restaurant in Arizona when a diner accosted the disgraced film mogul

Tuesday night dinner became chaotic for disgraced Hollywood film mogul Harvey Weinstein when a diner slapped him while the former was spotted eating with a friend. The confrontation happened in Elements restaurant at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley when a fellow diner decided to give a slap to Weinstein for all his shortcomings. The diner apparently asked for a photo with Weinstein to which the producer refused. The slap came after, as a reply to his "no". In the video, the man can be seen walking up to Weinstein and saying, "You're such a piece of s--- for what you did to these women." Weinstein is seen caught off-guard. Watch the video: Yikes! Harvey Weinstein got slapped and cussed out while eating dinner in Arizona. He's currently in rehab at a facility in the same state. Not an advocate of violence but karma is a ________. pic.twitter.com/oalW80gU4o — Jessie (Kofie and Jessie Podcast on iTunes) (@JMKTV) January 10, 2018 × The incident was confirmed to the media by Weinstein's representative Sallie Hofmeister. The producer is said to be undergoing rehab through the exclusive Meadows centre in Wickenburg. He has been spotted in the Valley over the oast few months after sexual abuse allegations surfaced against the producer. More than 80 women have come out against Weinstein accusing him of inappropriate to criminal behaviour, including allegations of rape. Weinstein has denied the allegations and two police investigations are under review by the Los Angeles district attorney. Recently, Hollywood stars wore black at Golden Globes red carpet in support of victims of abuse. The stars, both women and men (not so surprisingly) could be seen dressed in all black for the occasion -- as a symbol of the highly-talked Time's Up campaign that started off against this prevalent culture of misuse of power in one of the biggest entertainment industries of the world.

Watch: Harvey Weinstein slapped in restaurant while eating dinner

France&rsquo;s most revered actress Catherine Deneuve declared Tuesday that men should be &quot;free to hit on&quot; women, condemning a new &quot;puritanism&quot; she claimed has been sparked by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-top-hollywood-stars-join-hands-against-harassment-7738" target="_blank">sexual harassment scandals</a>.&nbsp;

She was one of around 100 French women writers, performers and academics who wrote an open letter deploring the wave of &quot;denunciations&quot; that has followed claims that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hollywood-mogul-weinstein-accused-of-rape-21257" target="_blank">Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted</a> and harassed women over decades.

They branded it a &quot;witch-hunt&quot; that they claim threatens sexual freedom.

&quot;Rape is a crime, but trying to seduce someone, even persistently or cack-handedly, is not -- nor is being gentlemanly a macho attack,&quot; said the letter published in the daily Le Monde.

&quot;Men have been punished summarily, forced out of their jobs when all they did was touch someone`s knee or try to steal a kiss,&quot; said the letter, which was also signed by Catherine Millet, author of the hugely explicit 2002 memoir, &quot;The Sexual Life of Catherine M.&quot;.

Men had been dragged through the mud, they argued, for &quot;talking about intimate subjects during professional dinners or for sending sexually-charged messages to women who did not return their attentions&quot;. The letter attacked feminist social media campaigns like #MeToo and its French equivalent #Balancetonporc (Call out your pig) for unleashing this &quot;puritanical... wave of purification&quot;.

It claimed that &quot;legitimate and necessary protest against the sexual violence that women are subject to, particularly in their professional lives&quot;, had turned into a witch-hunt.

&quot;What began as freeing women up to speak has today turned into the opposite -- we intimidate people into speaking `correctly`, shout down those who don`t fall into line, and those women who refused to bend (to the new realities) are regarded as complicit and traitors.&quot;

&quot;The accidents of life that might touch a woman`s body should not necessarily affect her dignity, and should not -- no matter how hard they are -- make her a perpetual victim,&quot; the letter argued.

Some women who were strong enough to demand equal pay, it claimed, would &quot;not be traumatised forever by a fondler on the metro&quot;, even if it is a crime, preferring to see it as a &quot;non-event&quot;.

The signatories -- which included a porn star-turned-agony aunt -- claimed they were defending sexual freedom, for which &quot;the liberty to seduce and importune was essential.&quot;

Oscar-nominated Deneuve, 74, is best known internationally for playing a bored housewife who spends her afternoons as a prostitute in Luis Bunuel classic 1967 film &quot;Belle du Jour&quot;.

The letter got a mostly hostile reception on social media, quickly becoming the most tweeted story on Twitter in France.

Deneuve had earlier expressed annoyance with the #MeToo social media campaign to shame men accused of harassing women.

&quot;I don`t think it is the right method to change things, it is excessive,&quot; she said last year. &quot;After `Calling out your pig` what are we going to have, `Call out your whore?`&quot; she said.&quot;Instead of helping women, this frenzy to send (male chauvinist) `pigs` to the abattoir actually helps the enemies of sexual liberty -- religious extremists and the worst sort of reactionaries,&quot; the collective of women who signed the letter said.

&quot;As women we do not recognise ourselves in this feminism, which beyond denouncing the abuse of power, takes on a hatred of men and of sexuality.&quot;

They insisted that women were &quot;sufficiently aware that the sexual urge is by its nature wild and aggressive. But we are also clear-eyed enough not to confuse an awkward attempt to pick someone up with a sexual attack.&quot;

The spectacle of men being forced into &quot;public confessions... and having to rack their brains and apologise for `inappropriate behaviour` that might have happened 10, 20 or 30 years before... recalled totalitarian societies,&quot; the letter went on.

This &quot;puritan wave&quot; was already bringing censorship in its wake, the women insisted, claiming that some of them had already been asked to make the male characters in their writing &quot;less sexist&quot;, and told to tone down certain scenes to &quot;better show the trauma suffered by female characters&quot;.&nbsp;

Deneuve sparked an outcry last March for her fulsome support of French-based director Roman Polanski, who is still wanted in the United States for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977.

While his victim Samantha Geimer wants the case dropped so she can get on with her life, Deneuve told French television that she &quot;always found the word `rape` excessive&quot; in the circumstances. 
The French broadcasting watchdog later called her comments &quot;retrograde&quot;.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

She was one of around 100 French women writers, performers and academics who wrote an open letter deploring the wave of 'denunciations' that has followed claims that Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted and harassed women over decades.

France’s most revered actress Catherine Deneuve declared Tuesday that men should be "free to hit on" women, condemning a new "puritanism" she claimed has been sparked by sexual harassment scandals. She was one of around 100 French women writers, performers and academics who wrote an open letter deploring the wave of "denunciations" that has followed claims that Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted and harassed women over decades. They branded it a "witch-hunt" that they claim threatens sexual freedom. "Rape is a crime, but trying to seduce someone, even persistently or cack-handedly, is not -- nor is being gentlemanly a macho attack," said the letter published in the daily Le Monde. "Men have been punished summarily, forced out of their jobs when all they did was touch someone`s knee or try to steal a kiss," said the letter, which was also signed by Catherine Millet, author of the hugely explicit 2002 memoir, "The Sexual Life of Catherine M.". Men had been dragged through the mud, they argued, for "talking about intimate subjects during professional dinners or for sending sexually-charged messages to women who did not return their attentions". The letter attacked feminist social media campaigns like #MeToo and its French equivalent #Balancetonporc (Call out your pig) for unleashing this "puritanical... wave of purification". It claimed that "legitimate and necessary protest against the sexual violence that women are subject to, particularly in their professional lives", had turned into a witch-hunt. "What began as freeing women up to speak has today turned into the opposite -- we intimidate people into speaking `correctly`, shout down those who don`t fall into line, and those women who refused to bend (to the new realities) are regarded as complicit and traitors." "The accidents of life that might touch a woman`s body should not necessarily affect her dignity, and should not -- no matter how hard they are -- make her a perpetual victim," the letter argued. Some women who were strong enough to demand equal pay, it claimed, would "not be traumatised forever by a fondler on the metro", even if it is a crime, preferring to see it as a "non-event". The signatories -- which included a porn star-turned-agony aunt -- claimed they were defending sexual freedom, for which "the liberty to seduce and importune was essential." Oscar-nominated Deneuve, 74, is best known internationally for playing a bored housewife who spends her afternoons as a prostitute in Luis Bunuel classic 1967 film "Belle du Jour". The letter got a mostly hostile reception on social media, quickly becoming the most tweeted story on Twitter in France. Deneuve had earlier expressed annoyance with the #MeToo social media campaign to shame men accused of harassing women. "I don`t think it is the right method to change things, it is excessive," she said last year. "After `Calling out your pig` what are we going to have, `Call out your whore?`" she said."Instead of helping women, this frenzy to send (male chauvinist) `pigs` to the abattoir actually helps the enemies of sexual liberty -- religious extremists and the worst sort of reactionaries," the collective of women who signed the letter said. "As women we do not recognise ourselves in this feminism, which beyond denouncing the abuse of power, takes on a hatred of men and of sexuality." They insisted that women were "sufficiently aware that the sexual urge is by its nature wild and aggressive. But we are also clear-eyed enough not to confuse an awkward attempt to pick someone up with a sexual attack." The spectacle of men being forced into "public confessions... and having to rack their brains and apologise for `inappropriate behaviour` that might have happened 10, 20 or 30 years before... recalled totalitarian societies," the letter went on. This "puritan wave" was already bringing censorship in its wake, the women insisted, claiming that some of them had already been asked to make the male characters in their writing "less sexist", and told to tone down certain scenes to "better show the trauma suffered by female characters". Deneuve sparked an outcry last March for her fulsome support of French-based director Roman Polanski, who is still wanted in the United States for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977. While his victim Samantha Geimer wants the case dropped so she can get on with her life, Deneuve told French television that she "always found the word `rape` excessive" in the circumstances. The French broadcasting watchdog later called her comments "retrograde".

French star Catherine Deneuve says men should be 'free to hit on' women

It appears that 2018 is already shaping up to be the year of women working together across race and class divides to fight back against sexism and sexual harassment. On the very first day of January, new movement Time&rsquo;s Up was announced via an open letter from women working in the entertainment industry. While it could have just been a statement against the alleged sexual assault and harassment of those working in Hollywood, this was a message of solidarity to all &ldquo;sisters&rdquo;.

Some very powerful women in the entertainment industry created Time&rsquo;s Up, but this is not about personal gain &ndash; they are using their status to help the disempowered. Time&rsquo;s Up is all about high profile women using their privilege to highlight and counter sexual discrimination against all women in employment, whatever industry they are in.

The movement is the work of more than 300 female professionals from the fields of television, film and theatre, including producers, actresses, writers and directors. Just a selection of the starry names leading and contributing to the initiative are Emma Stone, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Ashley Judd, America Ferrera, Rashida Jones, Selena Gomez, Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Eva Longoria and Ellen Page, as well as Donna Langley, the chairwoman of Universal Pictures, and top lawyers Nina L. Shaw and Tina Tchen. As the days have gone on, more notable women have been publicly adding their names to the campaign and contributing to the fund, too, using the Twitter hashtag #TIMESUP.

Hollywood&rsquo;s feminists have previously been accused of representing an elitist group, who are far removed from the struggles of ordinary, less glamorous women. The Time&rsquo;s Up movement is a serious attempt to counter these accusations through showing solidarity with working women of all backgrounds and ethnicities.

Their aim&nbsp;is to raise $15m for a legal defense fund that can benefit low-income victims of sexual misconduct. They also want to campaign for new legislation to protect women from harassment, and work towards gender parity at studios and talent agencies. A request has also been issued for celebrities to raise awareness by wearing black while walking the red carpet at the Golden Globe awards on January 7.

All women

The campaign&rsquo;s cross class solidarity was prompted by a letter of support from the predominantly Latina Alianza Nacional de Campesinas. This national female farm workers organisation wrote to the women of Hollywood who had spoken out against sexual abuse following allegations against Harvey Weinstein and others.

In a moving section of their letter, the farm workers wrote:

We do not work under bright stage lights or on the big screen. We work in the shadows of society in <a href="http://time.com/3599468/food-chains-farm-eva-longoria-eric-schlosser/">isolated fields and packinghouses</a> that are out of sight and out of mind for most people in this country. Your job feeds souls, fills hearts and spreads joy. Our job nourishes the nation with the fruits, vegetables and other crops that we plant, pick and pack.

Even though we work in very different environments, we share a common experience of being preyed upon by individuals who have the power to <a href="http://time.com/4995946/weinstein-workplace-culture/">hire, fire, blacklist</a> and otherwise threaten our economic, physical and emotional security.

While the farm workers might be expected to level accusations of elitism against their wealthy sisters, they stood with them. Despite the enormous gulf in social and economic status, they offered their support &ndash; &ldquo;Please know that you&rsquo;re not alone. We believe and stand with you.&rdquo;

This act of solidarity clearly touched the entertainment professionals who have, through the Time&rsquo;s Up movement, taken the first concrete steps to support poor working women. The Time&rsquo;s Up letter mirrors the language used by Alianza, while intiatives like the legal defence fund are a clear demonstration that this is more than just a PR exercise:

<blockquote>
To the members of Alianza and farmworker women across the country, we see you, we thank you, and we acknowledge the heavy weight of our common experience of being preyed upon, harassed, and exploited by those who abuse their power and threaten our physical and economic security.
</blockquote>

<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/89661/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" width="1" />This collective action taken by so many women in the film, television and theatre industries is unprecedented. Using the celebrity status created by the very industry in which they have suffered might just be the best way to seek to protect all women from abuse, harassment and sexism.

&nbsp;

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-its-so-important-that-hollywoods-powerful-women-are-standing-up-for-all-female-workers-89661" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

&nbsp;

Some very powerful women in the entertainment industry created Time’s Up, but this is not about personal gain – they are using their status to help the disempowered.

It appears that 2018 is already shaping up to be the year of women working together across race and class divides to fight back against sexism and sexual harassment. On the very first day of January, new movement Time’s Up was announced via an open letter from women working in the entertainment industry. While it could have just been a statement against the alleged sexual assault and harassment of those working in Hollywood, this was a message of solidarity to all “sisters”. Some very powerful women in the entertainment industry created Time’s Up, but this is not about personal gain – they are using their status to help the disempowered. Time’s Up is all about high profile women using their privilege to highlight and counter sexual discrimination against all women in employment, whatever industry they are in. The movement is the work of more than 300 female professionals from the fields of television, film and theatre, including producers, actresses, writers and directors. Just a selection of the starry names leading and contributing to the initiative are Emma Stone, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Ashley Judd, America Ferrera, Rashida Jones, Selena Gomez, Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Eva Longoria and Ellen Page, as well as Donna Langley, the chairwoman of Universal Pictures, and top lawyers Nina L. Shaw and Tina Tchen. As the days have gone on, more notable women have been publicly adding their names to the campaign and contributing to the fund, too, using the Twitter hashtag #TIMESUP. Hollywood’s feminists have previously been accused of representing an elitist group, who are far removed from the struggles of ordinary, less glamorous women. The Time’s Up movement is a serious attempt to counter these accusations through showing solidarity with working women of all backgrounds and ethnicities. Their aim is to raise $15m for a legal defense fund that can benefit low-income victims of sexual misconduct. They also want to campaign for new legislation to protect women from harassment, and work towards gender parity at studios and talent agencies. A request has also been issued for celebrities to raise awareness by wearing black while walking the red carpet at the Golden Globe awards on January 7. All women The campaign’s cross class solidarity was prompted by a letter of support from the predominantly Latina Alianza Nacional de Campesinas. This national female farm workers organisation wrote to the women of Hollywood who had spoken out against sexual abuse following allegations against Harvey Weinstein and others. In a moving section of their letter, the farm workers wrote: We do not work under bright stage lights or on the big screen. We work in the shadows of society in isolated fields and packinghouses that are out of sight and out of mind for most people in this country. Your job feeds souls, fills hearts and spreads joy. Our job nourishes the nation with the fruits, vegetables and other crops that we plant, pick and pack. Even though we work in very different environments, we share a common experience of being preyed upon by individuals who have the power to hire, fire, blacklist and otherwise threaten our economic, physical and emotional security. While the farm workers might be expected to level accusations of elitism against their wealthy sisters, they stood with them. Despite the enormous gulf in social and economic status, they offered their support – “Please know that you’re not alone. We believe and stand with you.” This act of solidarity clearly touched the entertainment professionals who have, through the Time’s Up movement, taken the first concrete steps to support poor working women. The Time’s Up letter mirrors the language used by Alianza, while intiatives like the legal defence fund are a clear demonstration that this is more than just a PR exercise: To the members of Alianza and farmworker women across the country, we see you, we thank you, and we acknowledge the heavy weight of our common experience of being preyed upon, harassed, and exploited by those who abuse their power and threaten our physical and economic security. This collective action taken by so many women in the film, television and theatre industries is unprecedented. Using the celebrity status created by the very industry in which they have suffered might just be the best way to seek to protect all women from abuse, harassment and sexism. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: At Golden Globes, Hollywood is standing up for all woman workers

The 75th annual Golden Globes is expected to turn up the heat Sunday night with Hollywood A-listers looking forward to using&nbsp;the award ceremony for voicing their concerns and of course showing up in their best.&nbsp;

Hollywood, over the last one year, has been in the crosshairs of myriad <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/golden-globes-marks-the-first-test-on-how-hollywood-handles-sex-scandal-on-live-television-28578" target="_blank">controversies</a> from producer Harvey Weinstein getting accused by more than 100 women from the film fraternity to actor Kevin Spacey being removed from his own Netflix series &quot;House of Cards&quot;&nbsp;after he&nbsp;too, was accused of sexual misconduct by fellow actress&nbsp;and 15 other women.&nbsp;

While 2017 saw the ugly side of Hollywood up front, the year also saw the release of some of the most mind-boggling movies with great scripts and incredible performances delivered by artists.&nbsp;

Now that Golden Globes is a few days away, we round up pre-Oscars prize-giving ceremony in the form of 10 fun-filled facts:&nbsp;

1. How it started

Golden Globes was founded in 1944 and were given out by journalists for the first 14 years of its running. These journalists were members of the&nbsp;Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association, a precursor to the HFPA.

Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr took over the stage as impromptu masters of ceremony in 1958 and were a big hit on the stage. They were invited back as official hosts the following year.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-golden-globe-awards-2018-the-complete-list-of-nominations-26482" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Golden Globe Awards 2018: The complete list of nominations</a>

From the years 1958 to 1963, the Golden Globes were only broadcast in Los Angeles. They started to get broadcast nationally from 1964.

2. The Prizes&nbsp;

Unlike other award ceremonies and most importantly Oscars, the Globes only recognises actors, directors, producers and writers. They don&#39;t give out awards for technical skills.&nbsp;

The total list of awards is 25 -- 14 in film and 11 in television.&nbsp;

3. The&nbsp;Winners&nbsp;

Actress&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-meryl-streep-is-the-most-golden-globe-nominated-actor-26561" target="_blank">Meryl Streep</a> has the most nominations in Golden Globes. She got her latest nomination for her role in &quot;The Post&quot;, her 31st in total. Out of all nominations, Streep has won the title eight times, one less than record-holder&nbsp;Barbra Streisand.&nbsp;

Jamie Foxx and Helen Mirren jointly hold the record for the most nominations in one year with three.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-saoirse-ronan-gets-a-boost-ahead-of-golden-globes-2018-for-her-performance-in-lady-bird-28554" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Saoirse Ronan gets a boost ahead of Golden Globes 2018 for her performance in &#39;Lady Bird&#39;</a>

The youngest winner remains Ricky Schroder, who was nine, for his role in &quot;The Champ,&quot; while the oldest was Jessica Tandy, who was 80 when she picked up best actress for &quot;Driving Miss Daisy.&quot;

4. The Goof-ups

Actress&nbsp;Renee Zellweger was in the bathroom when her best actress award for &quot;Nurse Betty&quot; was announced in 2001. It led to Hugh Grant asking for her table for her whereabouts to give the award. She reached the stage just in time and announced to the audience that she had been cleaning lipstick off her teeth.&nbsp;

Zellweger wasn&#39;t the first to do this as&nbsp;Christine Lahti had gotten caught in a similar scenario three years earlier when she won the best actress for &quot;Chicago Hope&quot;.

5. The &#39;Big Five&#39;

The &#39;big five&#39;&nbsp;means the&nbsp;best picture, actor, actress, director and screenplay. &quot;One Flew Over the Cuckoo&#39;s Nest&quot; was the first movie to win all of the &#39;big five&#39;&nbsp;categories as part of a six-win haul in 1975.&nbsp;

It remained the only &quot;big fiver&quot; until &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/life-fun/la-la-land-sweeps-golden-globes-2017-11064" target="_blank">La La Land</a>&quot; took home the major categories as part of a record-breaking seven-trophy clean sweep in 2017.&nbsp;

Earlier, &quot;Who&#39;s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?&quot; (1967) and &quot;The Godfather, Part III&quot; (1991) each received seven nominations but lost in every category, going home empty-handed.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/emma-stone-leads-forbes-highest-paid-list-with-two-time-reigning-actress-jennifer-lawrence-at-3rd-position-no-indian-actress-makes-it-to-the-list-19162" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Forbes top-10 rich list: Emma Stone leads highest paid actress list, Deepika slips out</a>

6. Lifetime Achievement

The Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement was first handed out in 1952 to Cecil B. DeMille.&nbsp;

Subsequent winners include Walt Disney, Judy Garland, Sidney Poitier and Jodie Foster.

7. Those Who Objected

Actor Marlon Brando refused to accept his Golden Globe for &quot;The Godfather&quot; in 1973 in protest against the Vietnam war. Two months later, he rejected an Oscar over the poor treatment of Native Americans in the film industry.

The producers of &quot;Z&quot; refused the award for best foreign language film in 1970 because they were angry it was left out of the prestigious best motion picture category.

8. The Trophy

The 24-karat gold-plated Golden Globe statuette costs around $800 to make and is 10.75 inches (27.3 centimetres) tall and 3.5 inches wide, weighing in at a hefty 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms).

After 2008, it was given a facelift and was then placed in a marble custom presentation box.

9. The Hosts 

NBC Late Night host Seth Meyers will be compering this year&#39;s show&nbsp;for the first time. He promises to use his&nbsp;political humour that he is rather famous for. He has indicated that Hollywood&#39;s sexual misconducts will also be treated with a fair punch of fun and satire in the night.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/golden-globes-2018-former-bond-girl-halle-berry-wonder-woman-gal-gadot-penelope-cruz-to-present-28009" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Golden Globes 2018: Former &#39;Bond&#39; girl Halle Berry, &#39;Wonder Woman&#39; Gal Gadot, Penelope Cruz to present</a>

Previous hosts have included Ricky Gervais (2010-12, 2016), Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (2013-15) and Jimmy Fallon (2017).

10. The Menu 

Before dinner, guests will be treated to champagne cocktails -- Moet Imperial, tequila, blood orange juice and a smattering of honey, according to a popular US-based magazine.&nbsp;

The menu includes burrata cheese, frisee lettuce and heirloom tomato salad and the&nbsp;main course of sea bass. The dessert menu boasts of a crunchy base of Italian hazelnuts beneath a coffee biscuit and Frangelico mascarpone -- all&nbsp;in chocolate and topped with a chocolate globe filled with sea salted caramel.

&nbsp;

The 75th annual Golden Globes is slated for Sunday night with the best of the industry coming out for the coveted awards

The 75th annual Golden Globes is expected to turn up the heat Sunday night with Hollywood A-listers looking forward to using the award ceremony for voicing their concerns and of course showing up in their best. Hollywood, over the last one year, has been in the crosshairs of myriad controversies from producer Harvey Weinstein getting accused by more than 100 women from the film fraternity to actor Kevin Spacey being removed from his own Netflix series "House of Cards" after he too, was accused of sexual misconduct by fellow actress and 15 other women. While 2017 saw the ugly side of Hollywood up front, the year also saw the release of some of the most mind-boggling movies with great scripts and incredible performances delivered by artists. Now that Golden Globes is a few days away, we round up pre-Oscars prize-giving ceremony in the form of 10 fun-filled facts: 1. How it started Golden Globes was founded in 1944 and were given out by journalists for the first 14 years of its running. These journalists were members of the Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association, a precursor to the HFPA. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr took over the stage as impromptu masters of ceremony in 1958 and were a big hit on the stage. They were invited back as official hosts the following year. Also Read: Golden Globe Awards 2018: The complete list of nominations From the years 1958 to 1963, the Golden Globes were only broadcast in Los Angeles. They started to get broadcast nationally from 1964. 2. The Prizes Unlike other award ceremonies and most importantly Oscars, the Globes only recognises actors, directors, producers and writers. They don't give out awards for technical skills. The total list of awards is 25 -- 14 in film and 11 in television. 3. The Winners Actress Meryl Streep has the most nominations in Golden Globes. She got her latest nomination for her role in "The Post", her 31st in total. Out of all nominations, Streep has won the title eight times, one less than record-holder Barbra Streisand. Jamie Foxx and Helen Mirren jointly hold the record for the most nominations in one year with three. Also Read: Saoirse Ronan gets a boost ahead of Golden Globes 2018 for her performance in 'Lady Bird' The youngest winner remains Ricky Schroder, who was nine, for his role in "The Champ," while the oldest was Jessica Tandy, who was 80 when she picked up best actress for "Driving Miss Daisy." 4. The Goof-ups Actress Renee Zellweger was in the bathroom when her best actress award for "Nurse Betty" was announced in 2001. It led to Hugh Grant asking for her table for her whereabouts to give the award. She reached the stage just in time and announced to the audience that she had been cleaning lipstick off her teeth. Zellweger wasn't the first to do this as Christine Lahti had gotten caught in a similar scenario three years earlier when she won the best actress for "Chicago Hope". 5. The 'Big Five' The 'big five' means the best picture, actor, actress, director and screenplay. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was the first movie to win all of the 'big five' categories as part of a six-win haul in 1975. It remained the only "big fiver" until "La La Land" took home the major categories as part of a record-breaking seven-trophy clean sweep in 2017. Earlier, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1967) and "The Godfather, Part III" (1991) each received seven nominations but lost in every category, going home empty-handed. Also Read: Forbes top-10 rich list: Emma Stone leads highest paid actress list, Deepika slips out 6. Lifetime Achievement The Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement was first handed out in 1952 to Cecil B. DeMille. Subsequent winners include Walt Disney, Judy Garland, Sidney Poitier and Jodie Foster. 7. Those Who Objected Actor Marlon Brando refused to accept his Golden Globe for "The Godfather" in 1973 in protest against the Vietnam war. Two months later, he rejected an Oscar over the poor treatment of Native Americans in the film industry. The producers of "Z" refused the award for best foreign language film in 1970 because they were angry it was left out of the prestigious best motion picture category. 8. The Trophy The 24-karat gold-plated Golden Globe statuette costs around $800 to make and is 10.75 inches (27.3 centimetres) tall and 3.5 inches wide, weighing in at a hefty 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms). After 2008, it was given a facelift and was then placed in a marble custom presentation box. 9. The Hosts NBC Late Night host Seth Meyers will be compering this year's show for the first time. He promises to use his political humour that he is rather famous for. He has indicated that Hollywood's sexual misconducts will also be treated with a fair punch of fun and satire in the night. Also Read: Golden Globes 2018: Former 'Bond' girl Halle Berry, 'Wonder Woman' Gal Gadot, Penelope Cruz to present Previous hosts have included Ricky Gervais (2010-12, 2016), Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (2013-15) and Jimmy Fallon (2017). 10. The Menu Before dinner, guests will be treated to champagne cocktails -- Moet Imperial, tequila, blood orange juice and a smattering of honey, according to a popular US-based magazine. The menu includes burrata cheese, frisee lettuce and heirloom tomato salad and the main course of sea bass. The dessert menu boasts of a crunchy base of Italian hazelnuts beneath a coffee biscuit and Frangelico mascarpone -- all in chocolate and topped with a chocolate globe filled with sea salted caramel.

Golden Globes 2018: 10 fun facts about the awards ceremony

In recent times, Hollywood has been hit by a string of sexual misconduct allegations on probably the biggest stars of the industry, which include Kevin Spacey, Harvey Weinstein, Dustin Hoffman, besides many others.

Many A-list actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Rose McGowan came forward with their horrible experiences last year.Meryl Streep, probably the most popular Hollywood star has now opened up about the sexual misconduct scandal in Hollywood, and the criticisms she faced in the wake of allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein.

While speaking to New York Times, when asked how she felt about people waiting for her to give a response, she said, &quot;I don`t want to hear about the silence of me. I want to hear about the silence of Melania Trump. I want to hear from her. She has so much that`s valuable to say. And so does Ivanka. I want her to speak now.&quot;

As for how much she knew about Weinstein`s behaviour towards the actresses, Streep reiterated that she knew nothing concrete.&quot;In terms of Harvey, I really didn`t know. I did think he was having girlfriends. But when I heard rumours about actresses, I thought that that was a way of denigrating the actress and her ability to get the job. That really raised my hackles. I didn`t know that he was in any way abusing people. He never asked me to a hotel room. I don`t know how his life was conducted without people intimately knowing about it,&quot; explained Streep.

When asked about her reaction to the Weinstein story, Streep shared, &quot;I found out about this on a Friday and went home deep into my own life. And then somebody told me that on `Morning Joe` they were screaming that I haven`t responded yet. I don`t have a Twitter thing or - handle, whatever. And I don`t have Facebook. I really had to think. Because it really underlined my own sense of cluelessness, and also how evil, deeply evil, and duplicitous, a person he was, yet such a champion of really great work.&quot; 
 
The Into the Woods&nbsp;star further added, &quot;You make movies. You think you know everything about everybody. So much gossip. You don`t know anything. People are so inscrutable on a certain level. And it`s a shock. Some of my favourite people have been brought down by this, and he`s not one of them.&quot; 
 
Meanwhile, on the work front, Streep will be next seen in Steven Speilberg`s The Post&nbsp;alongside Tom Hanks.The flick is slated to release on January 12.&nbsp;

Streep has been questioned as to why she has kept mum on the scandal that has rocked Hollywood

In recent times, Hollywood has been hit by a string of sexual misconduct allegations on probably the biggest stars of the industry, which include Kevin Spacey, Harvey Weinstein, Dustin Hoffman, besides many others. Many A-list actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Rose McGowan came forward with their horrible experiences last year.Meryl Streep, probably the most popular Hollywood star has now opened up about the sexual misconduct scandal in Hollywood, and the criticisms she faced in the wake of allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein. While speaking to New York Times, when asked how she felt about people waiting for her to give a response, she said, "I don`t want to hear about the silence of me. I want to hear about the silence of Melania Trump. I want to hear from her. She has so much that`s valuable to say. And so does Ivanka. I want her to speak now." As for how much she knew about Weinstein`s behaviour towards the actresses, Streep reiterated that she knew nothing concrete."In terms of Harvey, I really didn`t know. I did think he was having girlfriends. But when I heard rumours about actresses, I thought that that was a way of denigrating the actress and her ability to get the job. That really raised my hackles. I didn`t know that he was in any way abusing people. He never asked me to a hotel room. I don`t know how his life was conducted without people intimately knowing about it," explained Streep. When asked about her reaction to the Weinstein story, Streep shared, "I found out about this on a Friday and went home deep into my own life. And then somebody told me that on `Morning Joe` they were screaming that I haven`t responded yet. I don`t have a Twitter thing or - handle, whatever. And I don`t have Facebook. I really had to think. Because it really underlined my own sense of cluelessness, and also how evil, deeply evil, and duplicitous, a person he was, yet such a champion of really great work." The Into the Woods star further added, "You make movies. You think you know everything about everybody. So much gossip. You don`t know anything. People are so inscrutable on a certain level. And it`s a shock. Some of my favourite people have been brought down by this, and he`s not one of them." Meanwhile, on the work front, Streep will be next seen in Steven Speilberg`s The Post alongside Tom Hanks.The flick is slated to release on January 12.

Meryl Streep slams Melania, Ivanka Trump for silence on sexual misconduct

The red carpet is rolling out, the champagne is on ice and the statuettes are about to be handed over.&nbsp;

But with the cloud of sexual harassment hanging over Hollywood`s annual round of self-congratulations, the Golden Globe ceremony on Sunday marks the first test of how the industry will handle live on the world`s stage a scandal that has rocked show business.

&quot;This is an issue that is centre stage in Hollywood and is playing out at the award shows,&quot; said Tom O`Neil, founder of awards website GoldDerby.com.

Celebrities and filmmakers who were once major players during awards season have been shunned, written out of shows or snubbed in nominations.

Women are planning to wear black on the Golden Globes red carpet to signal support of sexual harassment victims; a major talent agency has cancelled its annual Golden Globes party to instead fund legal defence for victims; and the Screen Actors Guild Awards later in January will feature all female presenters.

The mood ahead of the Oscars on March 4 ranges from nervousness to eagerness to take a stand.

&quot;Everyone I have been talking to is relishing the opportunity to make this kind of visibility and attention more meaningful than simply about the glorification of a single profession,&quot; actress Michelle Williams, who is Golden Globe nominated for &quot;All the Money in the World,&quot; told Reuters.

More than 30 men have accused Kevin Spacey of sexual misconduct and more than 70 women have made allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein.

Dustin Hoffman, comedian Louis C.K. and Jeffrey Tambor are among dozens of other celebrities, politicians and businessmen who have been accused of sexual impropriety.

Reuters is unable to independently verify any of the accusations. Weinstein has denied having any non-consensual sex with anyone, Spacey apologised to one of his accusers but was erased from &quot;All the Money in the World&quot; and written out of his TV series &quot;House of Cards.&quot;

Hoffman and Tambor have denied any wrongdoing. C.K. admitted past misconduct and his movie and TV projects have been dropped.&nbsp;&quot;I always saw this awards season as a perfect little bubble where everything is magical and beautiful because it`s movies. I think what we`re realizing now is that it has its own issues that it has to work on,&quot; Emily Gordon, screenwriter for movie &quot;The Big Sick,&quot; said.

On Sunday, all eyes will be on Golden Globes host Seth Meyers and how he navigates what is traditionally a boozy celebration and the elephant in the room.

&quot;He`s got an impossible job. He can`t ignore the hot button issue in Hollywood. He`s expected to lead a jokathon but it`s not a laughing matter,&quot; said O`Neil.

Meyers said on Thursday that he would tackle the issue.

&quot;Fingers crossed we meet the right tone but that`s certainly our goal,&quot; he told Reuters Television. &quot;A great thing about the Globes is that people use it as a platform, and I don`t think this year will be any different.&quot;

Hollywood is also at odds with itself. Matt Damon was slammed in December for suggesting that allegations of rape and inappropriate touching should not be conflated. Talk show host James Corden was criticized for joking about Weinstein at a Beverly Hills event in October, and Rose McGowan accused Meryl Streep of remaining silent about Weinstein`s alleged behaviour. Streep denied the accusation and called for women to unite.

&quot;This is getting to be a whole internecine battle in Hollywood. I think they are all very nervous,&quot; said Pete Hammond, awards columnist for Deadline.com.

The Golden Globe awards for film and television will be televised live from Beverly Hills on NBC on Sunday Jan. 7, starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Women are planning to wear black on the Golden Globes red carpet to signal support of sexual harassment victims

The red carpet is rolling out, the champagne is on ice and the statuettes are about to be handed over. But with the cloud of sexual harassment hanging over Hollywood`s annual round of self-congratulations, the Golden Globe ceremony on Sunday marks the first test of how the industry will handle live on the world`s stage a scandal that has rocked show business. "This is an issue that is centre stage in Hollywood and is playing out at the award shows," said Tom O`Neil, founder of awards website GoldDerby.com. Celebrities and filmmakers who were once major players during awards season have been shunned, written out of shows or snubbed in nominations. Women are planning to wear black on the Golden Globes red carpet to signal support of sexual harassment victims; a major talent agency has cancelled its annual Golden Globes party to instead fund legal defence for victims; and the Screen Actors Guild Awards later in January will feature all female presenters. The mood ahead of the Oscars on March 4 ranges from nervousness to eagerness to take a stand. "Everyone I have been talking to is relishing the opportunity to make this kind of visibility and attention more meaningful than simply about the glorification of a single profession," actress Michelle Williams, who is Golden Globe nominated for "All the Money in the World," told Reuters. More than 30 men have accused Kevin Spacey of sexual misconduct and more than 70 women have made allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein. Dustin Hoffman, comedian Louis C.K. and Jeffrey Tambor are among dozens of other celebrities, politicians and businessmen who have been accused of sexual impropriety. Reuters is unable to independently verify any of the accusations. Weinstein has denied having any non-consensual sex with anyone, Spacey apologised to one of his accusers but was erased from "All the Money in the World" and written out of his TV series "House of Cards." Hoffman and Tambor have denied any wrongdoing. C.K. admitted past misconduct and his movie and TV projects have been dropped. "I always saw this awards season as a perfect little bubble where everything is magical and beautiful because it`s movies. I think what we`re realizing now is that it has its own issues that it has to work on," Emily Gordon, screenwriter for movie "The Big Sick," said. On Sunday, all eyes will be on Golden Globes host Seth Meyers and how he navigates what is traditionally a boozy celebration and the elephant in the room. "He`s got an impossible job. He can`t ignore the hot button issue in Hollywood. He`s expected to lead a jokathon but it`s not a laughing matter," said O`Neil. Meyers said on Thursday that he would tackle the issue. "Fingers crossed we meet the right tone but that`s certainly our goal," he told Reuters Television. "A great thing about the Globes is that people use it as a platform, and I don`t think this year will be any different." Hollywood is also at odds with itself. Matt Damon was slammed in December for suggesting that allegations of rape and inappropriate touching should not be conflated. Talk show host James Corden was criticized for joking about Weinstein at a Beverly Hills event in October, and Rose McGowan accused Meryl Streep of remaining silent about Weinstein`s alleged behaviour. Streep denied the accusation and called for women to unite. "This is getting to be a whole internecine battle in Hollywood. I think they are all very nervous," said Pete Hammond, awards columnist for Deadline.com. The Golden Globe awards for film and television will be televised live from Beverly Hills on NBC on Sunday Jan. 7, starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Golden Globes marks the first test on how Hollywood handles sex scandal on live television

Jake Gyllenhaal says he has spent a lot of time making excuses for the &quot;absurdity&quot; surrounding Hollywood, which was unmasked in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal.

The 37-year-old actor termed the expose as an insight into the &quot;apparent sickness&quot; of the international entertainment industry following the fall of the disgraced media mogul.

&quot;I have spent a lot of time in my career making excuses for the absurdity of our world - Hollywood - and all of its confusion, apparent sickness over the past few months that we&#39;ve discovered, the complications, the vanity,&quot; Gyllenhaal said on The Hollywood Reporter&#39;s &#39;Awards Chatter&#39; podcast.

Citing his film, Brokeback Mountain&nbsp;as an example, the actor said despite witnessing the dark side of showbiz, he continues to have faith in the &quot;power of movies&quot;. 
 
&quot;You know, you think about Brokeback&nbsp;- I&#39;ve had people come up to me over the years and say how that movie changed their life or how it made them realise something...

&quot;But what I will never accept is anyone telling me that movies aren&#39;t an extraordinarily powerful tool for communication and ultimately, in a small way, for change. And sometimes in a big way,&quot; he said.

Citing his film, Brokeback Mountain?as an example, the actor said despite witnessing the dark side of showbiz, he continues to have faith in the "power of movies".

Jake Gyllenhaal says he has spent a lot of time making excuses for the "absurdity" surrounding Hollywood, which was unmasked in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal. The 37-year-old actor termed the expose as an insight into the "apparent sickness" of the international entertainment industry following the fall of the disgraced media mogul. "I have spent a lot of time in my career making excuses for the absurdity of our world - Hollywood - and all of its confusion, apparent sickness over the past few months that we've discovered, the complications, the vanity," Gyllenhaal said on The Hollywood Reporter's 'Awards Chatter' podcast. Citing his film, Brokeback Mountain as an example, the actor said despite witnessing the dark side of showbiz, he continues to have faith in the "power of movies". "You know, you think about Brokeback - I've had people come up to me over the years and say how that movie changed their life or how it made them realise something... "But what I will never accept is anyone telling me that movies aren't an extraordinarily powerful tool for communication and ultimately, in a small way, for change. And sometimes in a big way," he said.

Spent lot of time making excuses for Hollywood's absurdity: Jake Gyllenhaal

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