Salma Hayek: Harvey Weinstein ‘was my monster’
Actress Salma Hayek revealed Wednesday that she was sexually harassed by film mogul Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused by numerous other women of sexual misconduct.
After agreeing to produce Hayek’s film “Frida,” Weinstein began harassing the actress, asking her to shower with him, showing up at her hotel unexpectedly and requesting massages, among other things, Hayek wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times.
After Hayek refused his requests, Weinstein became furious at her, she wrote.
{mosads}“The range of his persuasion tactics went from sweet-talking me to that one time when, in an attack of fury, he said the terrifying words, ‘I will kill you, don’t think I can’t,’” Hayek wrote.
Once filming started on “Frida,” Weinstein criticized the movie and told Hayek it needed more sex appeal. He threatened to shut down the production unless she filmed a sex scene with another woman.
Hayek said she was approached by reporters to speak about the incident, but she declined.
The New York Times published a piece in October with accounts from multiple actresses, including “Frida” co-star Ashley Judd, accusing Weinstein of sexual misconduct.
“I hope that adding my voice to the chorus of those who are finally speaking out will shed light on why it is so difficult, and why so many of us have waited so long,” Hayek wrote Wednesday. “Men sexually harassed because they could. Women are talking today because, in this new era, we finally can.”
Weinstein responded later Wednesday through a spokesman, telling USA Today in a statement that “all of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired.”
– This story was updated on Dec. 14.
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