As allegations of sexual harassment and assault continue following Harvey Weinstein’s many accusations, Anthony Rapp’s recollection of Kevin Spacey drunkenly trying to seduce him when the Star Trek actor was 14 years old has sparked a new controversy.
Kevin Spacey released a statement on Twitter apologizing despite not recalling the night in question. “I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. But if I did behave as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology,” he said.
Along with an apology, Spacey addressed the long-running Hollywood rumor that he was gay. “This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life,” Spacey said. “I know that there are stories out there about me and that some have been fueled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy. As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women.”
Spacey added, “I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man. I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behavior.”
You can read the full statement below.
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) October 30, 2017
This news comes after Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp accused Kevin Spacey of making a sexual advance upon him in 1986, while Rapp was still a teenager.
At the time of the incident, which occurred when both actors were working on Broadway in different plays, Rapp was 14 years old, and Spacey was 26. Rapp, who is now 46, spoke with Buzzfeed News about how Spacey invited Rapp to a party at his apartment, and after all the guests left, Spacey reportedly made a “sexual advance” on him. Rapp explains:
“My impression when [Spacey] came in the room was that he was drunk … He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold. But I don’t, like, squirm away initially, because I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ And then he lays down on top of me … He was trying to seduce me … I don’t know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually … [he] was, like, pressing into me … tightening his arms.”
Rapp says he was in shock, so he can not remember how long the incident continued, but Rapp was able to “squirm” away, and he recalls Spacey asking him if he really wanted to leave, at which point Rapp departed. Soon after, Spacey became famous, and Rapp says he was afraid of working with him again. Now, App ays he is sharing his story “not to simply air a grievance … but to try to shine another light on the decades of behavior that have been allowed to continue” because victims are often ostracized.