Harvey Weinstein's high-profile sex crimes trial opens on Monday, more than two years after the scandal&nbsp;triggered the #MeToo movement that led to the downfall of dozens of powerful men. 
 
The disgraced movie mogul faces life in prison if convicted of predatory sexual assault charges by a New York state court, in what is expected to be a six-week trial. 
 
Almost 90 women, including Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have accused the 67-year-old of sexual misconduct since The New York Times detailed allegations against him in October 2017. 
 
But Weinstein, once one of Hollywood's powerful people, is being tried on charges related to just two women, highlighting the difficulty of building cases&nbsp;around incidents going back years. 
 
Former production assistant Mimi Haleyi alleges that&nbsp;the "Pulp Fiction" producer forcibly performed oral sex on her in his New York apartment in July 2006. 
 
The second alleged victim is anonymous. She says Weinstein, the co-founder of Miramax Films, raped her in a New York hotel room in March 2013. 
 
The indictment was amended in August to include testimony from "The Sopranos" actress Annabella Sciorra as the prosecution seeks to convince the jury that Weinstein engaged in a pattern of predatory sexual behavior. 
 
A conviction would&nbsp;signal a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement in the fight against sexual harassment and abuse of power in Hollywood and beyond. 
 
Since the movement emerged from a deluge of allegations against Weinstein, almost all men felled from their positions, be it in the world of entertainment or business, have escaped prosecution. 
 
The only other trial on the horizon is that of R&amp;B singer R&nbsp;Kelly, who was charged last year with several assaults on young women, but allegations of sexual impropriety have dogged him for years. 
 
American comedian Bill Cosby was sentenced to at least three years in prison in September 2018, although proceedings had started in late 2015, two years before the post-Weinstein surge of allegations. 
 
- Unlikely to testify - 
 
"It's a&nbsp;case&nbsp;that&nbsp;will be&nbsp;covered&nbsp;all (over) the world," lawyer Gloria Allred, who represents Haleyi and Sciorra, told AFP. 
 
Justice James Burke dismissed attempts by the defense to block Sciorra, who says Weinstein raped her in the winter of 1993-94, from giving evidence as a corroborating witness. 
 
The prosecution will summon three other alleged victims, including one who says she was raped by Weinstein in California in 2013. The other two allegations are unknown at this stage. 
 
Weinstein himself is unlikely to testify. 
 
His defense team has been trying to undermine the allegations of the two accusers on the charge sheet since long before the start of the trial. 
 
They have produced emails and text messages which they say show that both remained in friendly contact with the accused for several months after the alleged events. 
 
Known for his impatience and quick temper, Weinstein changed lawyers several times before settling on Donna Rotunno, a Chicago attorney who has successfully defended dozens of men accused of sexual assault and harassment. 
 
She has said that her client will be exonerated. 
 
Weinstein has always maintained that his sexual relationships were consensual but has apologized for behavior that he concedes "has caused a lot of pain." 
 
He sparked an outcry just weeks before the trial by appearing indignant in an interview with the New York Post tabloid when he moaned that he should be recognized for "pioneering" women-led films. 
 
"The jurors and the judge are supposed to ignore this. But we know very well that it is impossible," Joseph Cabosky, a strategic communications professor at the University of North Carolina, told AFP.

Harvey Weinstein's high-profile sex crimes trial opens on Monday, more than two years after the scandal triggered the #MeToo movement that led to the downfall of dozens of powerful men.

Harvey Weinstein's high-profile sex crimes trial opens on Monday, more than two years after the scandal triggered the #MeToo movement that led to the downfall of dozens of powerful men. The disgraced movie mogul faces life in prison if convicted of predatory sexual assault charges by a New York state court, in what is expected to be a six-week trial. Almost 90 women, including Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have accused the 67-year-old of sexual misconduct since The New York Times detailed allegations against him in October 2017. But Weinstein, once one of Hollywood's powerful people, is being tried on charges related to just two women, highlighting the difficulty of building cases around incidents going back years. Former production assistant Mimi Haleyi alleges that the "Pulp Fiction" producer forcibly performed oral sex on her in his New York apartment in July 2006. The second alleged victim is anonymous. She says Weinstein, the co-founder of Miramax Films, raped her in a New York hotel room in March 2013. The indictment was amended in August to include testimony from "The Sopranos" actress Annabella Sciorra as the prosecution seeks to convince the jury that Weinstein engaged in a pattern of predatory sexual behavior. A conviction would signal a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement in the fight against sexual harassment and abuse of power in Hollywood and beyond. Since the movement emerged from a deluge of allegations against Weinstein, almost all men felled from their positions, be it in the world of entertainment or business, have escaped prosecution. The only other trial on the horizon is that of R&B singer R Kelly, who was charged last year with several assaults on young women, but allegations of sexual impropriety have dogged him for years. American comedian Bill Cosby was sentenced to at least three years in prison in September 2018, although proceedings had started in late 2015, two years before the post-Weinstein surge of allegations. - Unlikely to testify - "It's a case that will be covered all (over) the world," lawyer Gloria Allred, who represents Haleyi and Sciorra, told AFP. Justice James Burke dismissed attempts by the defense to block Sciorra, who says Weinstein raped her in the winter of 1993-94, from giving evidence as a corroborating witness. The prosecution will summon three other alleged victims, including one who says she was raped by Weinstein in California in 2013. The other two allegations are unknown at this stage. Weinstein himself is unlikely to testify. His defense team has been trying to undermine the allegations of the two accusers on the charge sheet since long before the start of the trial. They have produced emails and text messages which they say show that both remained in friendly contact with the accused for several months after the alleged events. Known for his impatience and quick temper, Weinstein changed lawyers several times before settling on Donna Rotunno, a Chicago attorney who has successfully defended dozens of men accused of sexual assault and harassment. She has said that her client will be exonerated. Weinstein has always maintained that his sexual relationships were consensual but has apologized for behavior that he concedes "has caused a lot of pain." He sparked an outcry just weeks before the trial by appearing indignant in an interview with the New York Post tabloid when he moaned that he should be recognized for "pioneering" women-led films. "The jurors and the judge are supposed to ignore this. But we know very well that it is impossible," Joseph Cabosky, a strategic communications professor at the University of North Carolina, told AFP.

Harvey Weinstein faces justice two years after scandal erupted

A New York judge has denied Harvey Weinstein`s request to dismiss two predatory sexual assault charges, ahead of the former Hollywood producer`s trial in January. 
 
The decision released on Wednesday by Justice James Burke of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan is a victory for prosecutors who have charged Weinstein with five sex crimes, including rape. 
 
Lawyers for Weinstein declined to comment in an email sent by their office. A spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance declined to comment. 
 
Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to charges brought over allegations of sexual misconduct toward two female accusers in 2006 and 2013. 
 
A trial is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2020. Weinstein could face a life sentence if convicted. 
 
Weinstein has also denied allegations by roughly 70 women of sexual misconduct dating back decades, saying any contact was consensual. 
 
In refusing to dismiss the predatory sexual assault charges, Burke rejected Weinstein`s claim that an alleged rape from the winter of 1993-94 occurred too long ago to serve as an "aggravating" and "underlying" crime, as required by state law. 
 
The judge, in the decision dated Nov. 26, also rejected Weinstein`s claims that dismissal was required because he had not been given fair notice of the earlier alleged rape, and because the grand jury that indicted him had been improperly convened. 
 
Prosecutors have said they intend to call the actress Annabella Sciorra, who has appeared in the TV series "The Sopranos" and movies such as "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle," to testify that Weinstein raped her in 1993. 
 
Weinstein cannot be criminally charged with raping Sciorra because the statute of limitations has run out. 
 
Burke also ruled out expert defense testimony on several topics, such as the causes of "original misunderstandings of sexual intentions" and "the phenomenon of `voluntary unwanted sex.`" 
 
He said Weinstein`s lawyers can introduce expert testimony on other topics including how memory works and can be distorted, and whether there is a link been people`s confidence in their memory and the accuracy of that memory. 
 
Accusations against Weinstein helped spark the #MeToo movement in late 2017 - hundreds of women have accused powerful men in entertainment, business, media, politics and other fields of sexual misconduct.

A New York judge has denied Harvey Weinstein`s request to dismiss two predatory sexual assault charges, ahead of the former Hollywood producer`s trial in January.

A New York judge has denied Harvey Weinstein`s request to dismiss two predatory sexual assault charges, ahead of the former Hollywood producer`s trial in January. The decision released on Wednesday by Justice James Burke of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan is a victory for prosecutors who have charged Weinstein with five sex crimes, including rape. Lawyers for Weinstein declined to comment in an email sent by their office. A spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance declined to comment. Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to charges brought over allegations of sexual misconduct toward two female accusers in 2006 and 2013. A trial is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2020. Weinstein could face a life sentence if convicted. Weinstein has also denied allegations by roughly 70 women of sexual misconduct dating back decades, saying any contact was consensual. In refusing to dismiss the predatory sexual assault charges, Burke rejected Weinstein`s claim that an alleged rape from the winter of 1993-94 occurred too long ago to serve as an "aggravating" and "underlying" crime, as required by state law. The judge, in the decision dated Nov. 26, also rejected Weinstein`s claims that dismissal was required because he had not been given fair notice of the earlier alleged rape, and because the grand jury that indicted him had been improperly convened. Prosecutors have said they intend to call the actress Annabella Sciorra, who has appeared in the TV series "The Sopranos" and movies such as "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle," to testify that Weinstein raped her in 1993. Weinstein cannot be criminally charged with raping Sciorra because the statute of limitations has run out. Burke also ruled out expert defense testimony on several topics, such as the causes of "original misunderstandings of sexual intentions" and "the phenomenon of `voluntary unwanted sex.`" He said Weinstein`s lawyers can introduce expert testimony on other topics including how memory works and can be distorted, and whether there is a link been people`s confidence in their memory and the accuracy of that memory. Accusations against Weinstein helped spark the #MeToo movement in late 2017 - hundreds of women have accused powerful men in entertainment, business, media, politics and other fields of sexual misconduct.

Harvey Weinstein loses bid to dismiss sexual assault charges

Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty on Monday to a new indictment ahead of his upcoming criminal trial, in a case where producers have accused him of rape and predatory sexual assault. 
 
Weinstein, 67, entered his plea in a New York state court in Manhattan, where his trial was delayed by four months, to Jan. 6, 2020. The indictment was not immediately available. 
 
Donna Rotunno, one of Weinstein`s lawyers, said after the hearing that Weinstein would seek to dismiss the indictment, calling the case "weak." 
 
The office of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has accused Weinstein of having sexually assaulted two women, in 2006 and 2013. 
 
Rotunno said the new indictment was intended to allow a third woman to testify in the case. 
 
Lawyer Gloria Allred said in a statement on Monday that she represents that woman, actress Annabella Sciorra, known for her role in the HBO series 'The Sopranos.' 
 
"I comment Annabella for her willingness to take the stand and answer questions under oath," she said. Weinstein had faced a Sept. 9 trial date. 
 
Once among Hollywood`s most powerful producers, he has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges in the earlier indictment, including rape and predatory sexual assault. He could face a life sentence if convicted. 
 
The two women in the earlier indictment are among roughly 70 who have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct dating back decades. Weinstein has denied the allegations and said any sexual encounters were consensual. 
 
Lawyers for Weinstein have asked that the trial be moved, perhaps to Suffolk County on Long Island or to Albany County upstate, because intense media scrutiny in New York City would make it impossible for him to get a fair trial there, according to a court filing.

Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty on Monday to a new indictment ahead of his upcoming criminal trial, in a case where producers have accused him of rape and predatory sexual assault.

Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein pleaded not guilty on Monday to a new indictment ahead of his upcoming criminal trial, in a case where producers have accused him of rape and predatory sexual assault. Weinstein, 67, entered his plea in a New York state court in Manhattan, where his trial was delayed by four months, to Jan. 6, 2020. The indictment was not immediately available. Donna Rotunno, one of Weinstein`s lawyers, said after the hearing that Weinstein would seek to dismiss the indictment, calling the case "weak." The office of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has accused Weinstein of having sexually assaulted two women, in 2006 and 2013. Rotunno said the new indictment was intended to allow a third woman to testify in the case. Lawyer Gloria Allred said in a statement on Monday that she represents that woman, actress Annabella Sciorra, known for her role in the HBO series 'The Sopranos.' "I comment Annabella for her willingness to take the stand and answer questions under oath," she said. Weinstein had faced a Sept. 9 trial date. Once among Hollywood`s most powerful producers, he has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges in the earlier indictment, including rape and predatory sexual assault. He could face a life sentence if convicted. The two women in the earlier indictment are among roughly 70 who have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct dating back decades. Weinstein has denied the allegations and said any sexual encounters were consensual. Lawyers for Weinstein have asked that the trial be moved, perhaps to Suffolk County on Long Island or to Albany County upstate, because intense media scrutiny in New York City would make it impossible for him to get a fair trial there, according to a court filing.

Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty, rape trial delayed to January

Former 'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson is teaming up with `Time`s Up` and `Rights of Women` organisation to launch legal advice hotline for women in the UK who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. 
 
According to Fox News, currently the cost-free service is available for women in England and Wales, and according to the British star, it`s the only one of its kind.

"It`s completely staggering to think that this is the only service of its type given that research has found that as many as one in two women experience sexual harassment in the workplace," the 29-year-old star said in an official statement.&nbsp;"It finally feels like people are realizing the scale of the problem," the statement added. 
 
According to the Rights of Women website and as reported by Fox News, the hotline was funded "by the public," and will help the UK women "get specialist legal advice on what behavior constitutes sexual harassment, how to bring a grievance against their employer, how to make a claim in the Employment Tribunal, settlement agreements and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and other related legal problems faced by women experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace."

Watson went on to explain the importance of the helpline in her statement."Understanding what your rights are, how you can assert them, and the choices you have if you`ve experienced harassment, is such a vital part of creating safe workplaces for everyone, and this advice line is such a huge development in ensuring that all women are supported, wherever we work," she said. 
 
The actor has been a staunch supporter of the #MeToo movement, and in February last year, she notably donated about $1.4 million to the Justice and Equality Fund, a UK-based organisation which aims to prevent sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination.&nbsp;

Former 'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson is teaming up with `Time`s Up` and `Rights of Women` organisation to launch legal advice hotline for women in the UK who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

Former 'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson is teaming up with `Time`s Up` and `Rights of Women` organisation to launch legal advice hotline for women in the UK who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. According to Fox News, currently the cost-free service is available for women in England and Wales, and according to the British star, it`s the only one of its kind. "It`s completely staggering to think that this is the only service of its type given that research has found that as many as one in two women experience sexual harassment in the workplace," the 29-year-old star said in an official statement. "It finally feels like people are realizing the scale of the problem," the statement added. According to the Rights of Women website and as reported by Fox News, the hotline was funded "by the public," and will help the UK women "get specialist legal advice on what behavior constitutes sexual harassment, how to bring a grievance against their employer, how to make a claim in the Employment Tribunal, settlement agreements and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and other related legal problems faced by women experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace." Watson went on to explain the importance of the helpline in her statement."Understanding what your rights are, how you can assert them, and the choices you have if you`ve experienced harassment, is such a vital part of creating safe workplaces for everyone, and this advice line is such a huge development in ensuring that all women are supported, wherever we work," she said. The actor has been a staunch supporter of the #MeToo movement, and in February last year, she notably donated about $1.4 million to the Justice and Equality Fund, a UK-based organisation which aims to prevent sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination.

Emma Watson teams up with Time's Up to launch workplace sexual harassment hotline

Pop queen Madonna's name can now be added to the long list of women who were sexually harassed by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.&nbsp; 
In a tell-all interview to New York Times, the singer has for the first time opened up about Weinstein and stated that he "crossed lines and boundaries" with her and was "incredibly sexually flirtatious and forward." 
 
Back in the 90s, Weinstein`s Miramax company distributed Madonna`s documentary titled `Madonna: Truth or Dare`. 
 
"Harvey crossed lines and boundaries and was incredibly sexually flirtatious and forward with me when we were working together. He was married at the time, and I certainly wasn`t interested," she revealed. 
 
Madonna also stated that she knew that Weinstein acted that way with other women in the film business too. "I was aware that he did the same with a lot of other women that I knew in the business. And we were all, `Harvey gets to do that because he`s got so much power and he`s so successful and his movies do so well and everybody wants to work with him, so you have to put up with it.` So that was it," she added. 
 
Talking about Weinstein`s downfall, Madonna shared, "So when it happened, I was really like, `Finally.` <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/weinstein-affair-10-key-moments-global-fallout-169356">Also see:&nbsp;The Weinstein Affair: 10 key moments in a global fallout</a> 
 
The singer though did not want to speak up or be a part of Times Up movement as she added, "I wasn`t cheering from the rafters because I`m never going to cheer for someone`s demise. I don`t think that`s good karma anyway. But it was good that somebody who had been abusing his power for so many years was called out and held accountable." 
 
Weinstein, who has been accused of nearly 30 years of sexual misconduct by several women, was kicked out of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in October 2017 following a New York Times ar<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hollywood-mogul-weinstein-accused-of-rape-21257">ticle that chronicled allegations against the producer.&nbsp;</a> 
 
Weinstein has repeatedly denied all the allegations levelled against him. 
 
A few weeks ago, it was reported that Weinstein had reached a tentative USD 44 million settlement to resolve lawsuits filed by women who accused him of sexual misconduct. 
 
The movie mogul had also reached a tentative deal with creditors of his former studio The Weinstein Co. (TWC) and the New York attorney general.In September this year, Weinstein will go on trial in New York on charges of raping an unidentified female friend in his Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and performing a forcible sex act on another woman in 2006. 
 
More than 80 women, including actors Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Rose McGowan have opened up about similar stories against Weinstein. Some accused him of using physical force to compel them to have intercourse, while others said he tried to exchange parts in movies for sex or threatened to ruin their careers if they did not comply with him.

Pop queen Madonna's name can now be added to the long list of women who were sexually harassed by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. In a tell-all interview to New York Times, the singer has for the first time opened up about Weinstein and stated that he "crossed lines and boundaries" with her and was "incredibly sexually flirtatious and forward.

Pop queen Madonna's name can now be added to the long list of women who were sexually harassed by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. In a tell-all interview to New York Times, the singer has for the first time opened up about Weinstein and stated that he "crossed lines and boundaries" with her and was "incredibly sexually flirtatious and forward." Back in the 90s, Weinstein`s Miramax company distributed Madonna`s documentary titled `Madonna: Truth or Dare`. "Harvey crossed lines and boundaries and was incredibly sexually flirtatious and forward with me when we were working together. He was married at the time, and I certainly wasn`t interested," she revealed. Madonna also stated that she knew that Weinstein acted that way with other women in the film business too. "I was aware that he did the same with a lot of other women that I knew in the business. And we were all, `Harvey gets to do that because he`s got so much power and he`s so successful and his movies do so well and everybody wants to work with him, so you have to put up with it.` So that was it," she added. Talking about Weinstein`s downfall, Madonna shared, "So when it happened, I was really like, `Finally.` Also see: The Weinstein Affair: 10 key moments in a global fallout The singer though did not want to speak up or be a part of Times Up movement as she added, "I wasn`t cheering from the rafters because I`m never going to cheer for someone`s demise. I don`t think that`s good karma anyway. But it was good that somebody who had been abusing his power for so many years was called out and held accountable." Weinstein, who has been accused of nearly 30 years of sexual misconduct by several women, was kicked out of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in October 2017 following a New York Times article that chronicled allegations against the producer. Weinstein has repeatedly denied all the allegations levelled against him. A few weeks ago, it was reported that Weinstein had reached a tentative USD 44 million settlement to resolve lawsuits filed by women who accused him of sexual misconduct. The movie mogul had also reached a tentative deal with creditors of his former studio The Weinstein Co. (TWC) and the New York attorney general.In September this year, Weinstein will go on trial in New York on charges of raping an unidentified female friend in his Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and performing a forcible sex act on another woman in 2006. More than 80 women, including actors Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Rose McGowan have opened up about similar stories against Weinstein. Some accused him of using physical force to compel them to have intercourse, while others said he tried to exchange parts in movies for sex or threatened to ruin their careers if they did not comply with him.

Madonna reveals Harvey Weinstein 'crossed lines and boundaries' with her in a new interview

This sure will give the whole discussion about pay gap more boost. British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who was recently seen in Avengers: Infinity War has said he will not say yes to a film if the makers are not offering equal pay to his female co-stars.&nbsp; 
 
"Equal pay and a place at the table are the central tenets of feminism," Cumberbatch told Radio Times magazine. 
 
"Look at your quotas. Ask what women are being paid, and say: 'If she's not paid the same as the men, I'm not doing it." 
 
The 41-year-old British actor also said he will be using his position in the industry, and his new production company, SunnyMarch, to support more female-focused dramas. 
 
"I'm proud that (partner) Adam (Ackland) and I are the only men in our production company our next project is a female story with a female lens about motherhood, in a time of environmental disaster.&nbsp; 
 
"If it's centred around my name, to get investors, then we can use that attention for a raft of female projects. Half the audience is female!" he said.

This sure will give the whole discussion about pay gap more boost. British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who was recently seen in Avengers: Infinity War has said he will not say yes to a film if the makers are not offering equal pay to his female co-stars. "Equal pay and a place at the table are the central tenets of feminism," Cumberbatch told Radio Times magazine. "Look at your quotas. Ask what women are being paid, and say: 'If she's not paid the same as the men, I'm not doing it." The 41-year-old British actor also said he will be using his position in the industry, and his new production company, SunnyMarch, to support more female-focused dramas. "I'm proud that (partner) Adam (Ackland) and I are the only men in our production company our next project is a female story with a female lens about motherhood, in a time of environmental disaster. "If it's centred around my name, to get investors, then we can use that attention for a raft of female projects. Half the audience is female!" he said.

Benedict Cumberbatch will turn down films if his female co-stars are not paid the same

Actor Natalie Portman regrets signing a letter demanding the release of Roman Polanski when he was arrested in Switzerland in 2009. 
 
The Oscar-winner was among the high profiled Hollywood personalities, which also included Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and Emma Thompson, to sign the petition calling Polanski&#39;s release following his arrest and detention while in Switzerland at the request of US authorities in a case related to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor in 1977. 
 
&quot;I very much regret it. I take responsibility for not thinking about it enough. Someone I respected gave it to me, and said, &#39;I signed this. Will you too?&#39; And I was like, sure. It was a mistake,&quot; Portman told Buzzfeed. 
&quot;The thing I feel like I gained from it is empathy towards people who have made mistakes. We lived in a different world, and that doesn&#39;t excuse anything. But you can have your eyes opened and completely change the way you want to live. My eyes were not open,&quot; she added. 
 
The &quot;Annihilation&quot; actor, however, sidestepped questions about Woody Allen, who has been accused of sexual abuse by his step-daughter Dylan Farrow. 
 
When asked whether the multiple Oscar-winning director&#39;s career is over in the wake of massive sexual harassment scandal, Portman said, &quot;I don&#39;t think that&#39;s what the conversation should be about. I think it should be about: Why didn&#39;t Elaine May make a movie every year? Why didn&#39;t Nora Ephron make a movie every year? Where&#39;s the female version of Bill Cosby? Why don&#39;t we see any Asian women in films? There&#39;s so much art that&#39;s being lost by not giving opportunities to women and people of colour.&quot; 
 
&quot;Let&#39;s not talk about what man&#39;s career is over. Let&#39;s talk about the vast art trove we&#39;ve lost by not giving women, people of colour, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community opportunities &mdash; let&#39;s talk about that loss for all of us in art. Let&#39;s talk about that huge hole in our culture. I don&#39;t want talk about &#39;Isn&#39;t it sad that this person who&#39;s made 500 movies can&#39;t make movies anymore?&#39; That&#39;s not for me to decide. And it&#39;s also not what I&#39;m upset about,&quot; she added

The Oscar-winner was among the high profiled Hollywood personalities, which also included Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and Emma Thompson, to sign the petition calling Polanski's release following his arrest.

Actor Natalie Portman regrets signing a letter demanding the release of Roman Polanski when he was arrested in Switzerland in 2009. The Oscar-winner was among the high profiled Hollywood personalities, which also included Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and Emma Thompson, to sign the petition calling Polanski's release following his arrest and detention while in Switzerland at the request of US authorities in a case related to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor in 1977. "I very much regret it. I take responsibility for not thinking about it enough. Someone I respected gave it to me, and said, 'I signed this. Will you too?' And I was like, sure. It was a mistake," Portman told Buzzfeed. "The thing I feel like I gained from it is empathy towards people who have made mistakes. We lived in a different world, and that doesn't excuse anything. But you can have your eyes opened and completely change the way you want to live. My eyes were not open," she added. The "Annihilation" actor, however, sidestepped questions about Woody Allen, who has been accused of sexual abuse by his step-daughter Dylan Farrow. When asked whether the multiple Oscar-winning director's career is over in the wake of massive sexual harassment scandal, Portman said, "I don't think that's what the conversation should be about. I think it should be about: Why didn't Elaine May make a movie every year? Why didn't Nora Ephron make a movie every year? Where's the female version of Bill Cosby? Why don't we see any Asian women in films? There's so much art that's being lost by not giving opportunities to women and people of colour." "Let's not talk about what man's career is over. Let's talk about the vast art trove we've lost by not giving women, people of colour, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community opportunities — let's talk about that loss for all of us in art. Let's talk about that huge hole in our culture. I don't want talk about 'Isn't it sad that this person who's made 500 movies can't make movies anymore?' That's not for me to decide. And it's also not what I'm upset about," she added

Natalie Portman regrets signing petition in support of Roman Polanski

Pop singer Kesha delivered a powerful statement on behalf of women`s equality at the Grammys on Sunday as she led a fierce performance of &quot;Praying,&quot; her own account of abuse, with A-list back-up from a chorus of stars.

Her face intense and her voice building in ferocity, Kesha brought the crowd at Madison Square Garden to its feet and at times to tears at a time of growing public consciousness about sexual harassment and misconduct.

&quot;Praying&quot; is an autobiographical song clearly directed at Dr. Luke, the producer whom Kesha accuses of raping and psychologically tormenting her.&nbsp;

Even before the rise of the #MeToo movement in response to revelations about Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, Kesha rattled the industry by demanding the end of her contract to work with Dr. Luke, who has denied the assault charges.&nbsp;

&quot;After everything you`ve done / I can thank you for how strong I have become,&quot; Kesha sings.

Kesha performed at the Grammys surrounded by fellow stars including Cyndi Lauper, Bebe Rexha, Camila Cabello and Andra Day, who offered symbolic and literal support.&nbsp;Kesha embraced them in a bear hug as she finished.

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Kesha tearfully embracing her other singers has me weeping <a href="https://t.co/ZaVFvQelEq">pic.twitter.com/ZaVFvQelEq</a>
&mdash; David Mack (@davidmackau) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmackau/status/957807694777405440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Singer Janelle Monae, introducing Kesha, said that the music industry needed to address its own abuse problems.

&quot;To those who would dare try and silence us, we offer you two words: Time`s Up!&quot; she said, using a slogan for the movement launched on New Year`s Day by hundreds of prominent women in the entertainment industry.&nbsp;&quot;We say time`s up for pay inequality, discrimination or harassment of any kind, and the abuse of power,&quot; she said. 
 
Despite the rousing reception, Kesha was passed over for the awards. She was not nominated in major categories and came up short for the two pop prizes for which she was in the running. 
 
Before the Grammys, Kesha tweeted that &quot;I needed this song in a very real way&quot; and that she was nervous to perform.&nbsp;&quot;If you need it, I hope this song finds you,&quot; she wrote.

 
 
 
 
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Pop singer Kesha delivered a powerful statement on behalf of women`s equality at the Grammys on Sunday

Pop singer Kesha delivered a powerful statement on behalf of women`s equality at the Grammys on Sunday as she led a fierce performance of "Praying," her own account of abuse, with A-list back-up from a chorus of stars. Her face intense and her voice building in ferocity, Kesha brought the crowd at Madison Square Garden to its feet and at times to tears at a time of growing public consciousness about sexual harassment and misconduct. "Praying" is an autobiographical song clearly directed at Dr. Luke, the producer whom Kesha accuses of raping and psychologically tormenting her. Even before the rise of the #MeToo movement in response to revelations about Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, Kesha rattled the industry by demanding the end of her contract to work with Dr. Luke, who has denied the assault charges. "After everything you`ve done / I can thank you for how strong I have become," Kesha sings. Kesha performed at the Grammys surrounded by fellow stars including Cyndi Lauper, Bebe Rexha, Camila Cabello and Andra Day, who offered symbolic and literal support. Kesha embraced them in a bear hug as she finished. Kesha tearfully embracing her other singers has me weeping pic.twitter.com/ZaVFvQelEq — David Mack (@davidmackau) January 29, 2018 × Singer Janelle Monae, introducing Kesha, said that the music industry needed to address its own abuse problems. "To those who would dare try and silence us, we offer you two words: Time`s Up!" she said, using a slogan for the movement launched on New Year`s Day by hundreds of prominent women in the entertainment industry. "We say time`s up for pay inequality, discrimination or harassment of any kind, and the abuse of power," she said. Despite the rousing reception, Kesha was passed over for the awards. She was not nominated in major categories and came up short for the two pop prizes for which she was in the running. Before the Grammys, Kesha tweeted that "I needed this song in a very real way" and that she was nervous to perform. "If you need it, I hope this song finds you," she wrote.

Grammys 2018: Kesha sings powerful song on sexual harassment with A-list singers as her backup chorus

French film legend Brigitte Bardot attacked the #MeToo movement Wednesday, claiming that actresses who complain of sexual harassment were just looking for publicity.

&quot;The vast majority are being hypocritical and ridiculous,&quot; she told the French magazine Paris Match.

&quot;Lots of actresses try to play the tease with producers to get a role. And then, so we will talk about them, they say they were harassed,&quot; declared the 83-year-old Bardot. 
 
&quot;I was never the victim of sexual harassment. And I found it charming when men told me that I was beautiful or I had a nice little backside,&quot; said the actress, who became a sex symbol overnight for And God Created Woman&nbsp;in 1956. 
 
Her comments come a week after fellow French star Catherine Deneuve sparked a worldwide feminist backlash by defending men`s right to &quot;hit on&quot; women. 
 
She signed an open letter by 100 prominent women that claimed that #MeToo had become a puritanical &quot;witch-hunt&quot; which threatened sexual freedom. 
 
It also implied that women fondled on public transport should just get over it. 
 
But Deneuve later distanced herself from some of the other signatories after one claimed that women can orgasm during rape.The 74-year-old went on to apologise to victims of sexual assault, saying there was &quot;nothing good&quot; about harassment. 
 
Bardot, who ended her film career in 1973 so she could dedicate herself to her animal rights charity, has a long history of provoking feminists. 
 
Yet she admitted to the magazine that she has not digested what happened to her when she was at the height of her fame in the 1960s, and her love life made international headlines. 
 
&quot;I still find it difficult to understand what happened to me,&quot; she said. &quot;That uncontrollable time made me very distrustful of the human race.&quot; 
 
Bardot said she &quot;has almost no contact these days with the entertainment industry&quot; other than phone calls from her old friends like veteran actor Alain Delon. 
 
Instead, she looks after her six cats, nine dogs and some 50 other animals at her farm and animal sanctuary near the French Riviera resort of Saint Tropez. 
 
She said that when she is gone she wants to be known as the &quot;animals` fairy godmother&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
A supporter of the far-right National Front, Bardot said she prefers the late pope John Paul II to Pope Francis and prays to the Virgin Mary, which she calls &quot;my little Virgin&quot;. 
 
But she said that if she was reincarnated she would be like to be a &quot;mustang, that wild and free horse of the American West&quot;. 
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"The vast majority are being hypocritical and ridiculous," Bardot old the French magazine Paris Match.

French film legend Brigitte Bardot attacked the #MeToo movement Wednesday, claiming that actresses who complain of sexual harassment were just looking for publicity. "The vast majority are being hypocritical and ridiculous," she told the French magazine Paris Match. "Lots of actresses try to play the tease with producers to get a role. And then, so we will talk about them, they say they were harassed," declared the 83-year-old Bardot. "I was never the victim of sexual harassment. And I found it charming when men told me that I was beautiful or I had a nice little backside," said the actress, who became a sex symbol overnight for And God Created Woman in 1956. Her comments come a week after fellow French star Catherine Deneuve sparked a worldwide feminist backlash by defending men`s right to "hit on" women. She signed an open letter by 100 prominent women that claimed that #MeToo had become a puritanical "witch-hunt" which threatened sexual freedom. It also implied that women fondled on public transport should just get over it. But Deneuve later distanced herself from some of the other signatories after one claimed that women can orgasm during rape.The 74-year-old went on to apologise to victims of sexual assault, saying there was "nothing good" about harassment. Bardot, who ended her film career in 1973 so she could dedicate herself to her animal rights charity, has a long history of provoking feminists. Yet she admitted to the magazine that she has not digested what happened to her when she was at the height of her fame in the 1960s, and her love life made international headlines. "I still find it difficult to understand what happened to me," she said. "That uncontrollable time made me very distrustful of the human race." Bardot said she "has almost no contact these days with the entertainment industry" other than phone calls from her old friends like veteran actor Alain Delon. Instead, she looks after her six cats, nine dogs and some 50 other animals at her farm and animal sanctuary near the French Riviera resort of Saint Tropez. She said that when she is gone she wants to be known as the "animals` fairy godmother". A supporter of the far-right National Front, Bardot said she prefers the late pope John Paul II to Pope Francis and prays to the Virgin Mary, which she calls "my little Virgin". But she said that if she was reincarnated she would be like to be a "mustang, that wild and free horse of the American West".

French legend Brigitte Bardot slams #MeToo 'publicity-seeking' actresses