The casting couch means that those hopeful actors, models and other professionals in the acting business are sexually harassed by directors, producers and other authoritative characters in the acting industry to engage in sexual activities. Some of this was acted on, thanks to several scandals which have trended in the wake of the #MeToo movement which focused on cases of sexual harassment and abuse of women in Hollywood. Here are some major cases and their outcomes:
1. Harvey Weinstein Scandal
Among the aggressive predators, the most well-known is Harvey Weinstein, who was a producer and director, co-founder of Miramax Ltd. Over 80 women, including actresses, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie through to Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault and coercion for several decades. Some of the women said that Weinstein would often threaten them into sex with promises of a movie role or a promotion.
Outcome: It was a global Cherokee Seconds Fall moment, as people scrolled past shocking headlines on their laptops and phones. The days of reckoning were published in New York Times and New Yorker, in October 2017. The campaign continued gathering pace and other women told their stories of sexual harassment in different line of work. Demanded and got consent Weinstein was arrested in 2018, convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2020 and got 23 years of prison. Their case generated much attention and brought accountability issues in entertainment industries making people and workplaces understand the need to come up with policies against workplace harassment.
Related : Did Mississippi ex-governor releases texts in welfare scandal?
2. Bill Cosby
Known as America's dad after his Cosby Show days, Bill Cosby was also accused of drugging and sexually assaulting dozens of women — some of whose stories did indeed involve a casting couch dynamic. According to Cosby, he used his celebrity and power to lure women into private meetings or to audition, when he then would sexually assault them.
Outcome: Cosby was convicted in 2018 on three counts of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, in what was after years of allegations and public denials. He was sentenced to three to ten years in jail. The Cosby conviction also shone a spotlight on the long saga of sexual harassment and abuse in Hollywood, including changing its attitude to how to get consent and account for sexual abuse.
3. The #MeToo Movement
Not a single scandal, the #MeToo movement sprung up as a grand response to the prevailing culture of sexual harassment, ranging from the casting couch, to women on set who were harassed by directors. Active since 2006, the movement became a household term after actress Alyssa Milano tweeted in November 2017 that women should share their experiences of sexual harassment on social media using the hashtag #MeToo.
Outcome: The movement shone a light on The Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K., Randy Traversa, and tons of other notable men. It also heralded a revolution in workplace sexual harassment — many companies and organizations actually chose to implement stricter sexual harassment policies.
4. Jeffrey Epstein
Even though the Jeffrey Epstein case is not directly tied to the casting couch, it is the latest in a disturbing pattern of sexual exploitation in entertainment and elite circles. Accused of running a sex trafficking ring for young women and girls, some of whom were allegedly brought to the attention of Hollywood, business and political figures, financier and convicted serial sex offender Epstein was being sued by one of his victims.
Outcome: After Epstein's arrest in 2019 and death in custody, powerful figures accused of involvement, or complicity, in Epstein's crimes came under increased scrutiny. The scandal has brought abuse and exploitation in powerful networks to light, including those that drive Hollywood and has highlighted the reality of young women working in entertainment not knowing if they are going to be taken advantage of.
5. Terry Crews and the Allegation Against Adam Venit
Terry Crews — who became a high profile #MeToo advocate after he went public with his own experience of sexual harassment — is suing the studio behind 'The Expendables 3' for defamation, alleging that they libeled him by accusing him of sexual assault. Crews said in 2016 that Adam Venit, a powerful agent with WME (William Morris Endeavor), groped him at a Hollywood party. At first, the crews said nothing for fear of retaliation, but then went public with the accusation after seeing the flood of revelations about abuse.
Outcome: Their decision to speak was a reminder that Black men are routinely harassed in the entertainment industry, which crew members aren’t very vocal about complaining. As a prominent advocate for obligation in the entertainment market, he was in a position to reimagine the discussion about sexual harassment and bring those that were marginalized into it. Venit was not immediately fired following WME’s investigation of the incident, and he received internal consequences. Meanwhile, crews brought suit, but the suit was settled, reflecting that kind of complicated legal recourse in such situations.
Paula Parente
The casting couch means that those hopeful actors, models and other professionals in the acting business are sexually harassed by directors, producers and other authoritative characters in the acting industry to engage in sexual activities. Some of this was acted on, thanks to several scandals which have trended in the wake of the #MeToo movement which focused on cases of sexual harassment and abuse of women in Hollywood. Here are some major cases and their outcomes:
1. Harvey Weinstein Scandal
Among the aggressive predators, the most well-known is Harvey Weinstein, who was a producer and director, co-founder of Miramax Ltd. Over 80 women, including actresses, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie through to Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault and coercion for several decades. Some of the women said that Weinstein would often threaten them into sex with promises of a movie role or a promotion.
Outcome: It was a global Cherokee Seconds Fall moment, as people scrolled past shocking headlines on their laptops and phones. The days of reckoning were published in New York Times and New Yorker, in October 2017. The campaign continued gathering pace and other women told their stories of sexual harassment in different line of work. Demanded and got consent Weinstein was arrested in 2018, convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2020 and got 23 years of prison. Their case generated much attention and brought accountability issues in entertainment industries making people and workplaces understand the need to come up with policies against workplace harassment.
Related : Did Mississippi ex-governor releases texts in welfare scandal?
2. Bill Cosby
Known as America's dad after his Cosby Show days, Bill Cosby was also accused of drugging and sexually assaulting dozens of women — some of whose stories did indeed involve a casting couch dynamic. According to Cosby, he used his celebrity and power to lure women into private meetings or to audition, when he then would sexually assault them.
Outcome: Cosby was convicted in 2018 on three counts of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, in what was after years of allegations and public denials. He was sentenced to three to ten years in jail. The Cosby conviction also shone a spotlight on the long saga of sexual harassment and abuse in Hollywood, including changing its attitude to how to get consent and account for sexual abuse.
3. The #MeToo Movement
Not a single scandal, the #MeToo movement sprung up as a grand response to the prevailing culture of sexual harassment, ranging from the casting couch, to women on set who were harassed by directors. Active since 2006, the movement became a household term after actress Alyssa Milano tweeted in November 2017 that women should share their experiences of sexual harassment on social media using the hashtag #MeToo.
Outcome: The movement shone a light on The Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K., Randy Traversa, and tons of other notable men. It also heralded a revolution in workplace sexual harassment — many companies and organizations actually chose to implement stricter sexual harassment policies.
4. Jeffrey Epstein
Even though the Jeffrey Epstein case is not directly tied to the casting couch, it is the latest in a disturbing pattern of sexual exploitation in entertainment and elite circles. Accused of running a sex trafficking ring for young women and girls, some of whom were allegedly brought to the attention of Hollywood, business and political figures, financier and convicted serial sex offender Epstein was being sued by one of his victims.
Outcome: After Epstein's arrest in 2019 and death in custody, powerful figures accused of involvement, or complicity, in Epstein's crimes came under increased scrutiny. The scandal has brought abuse and exploitation in powerful networks to light, including those that drive Hollywood and has highlighted the reality of young women working in entertainment not knowing if they are going to be taken advantage of.
5. Terry Crews and the Allegation Against Adam Venit
Terry Crews — who became a high profile #MeToo advocate after he went public with his own experience of sexual harassment — is suing the studio behind 'The Expendables 3' for defamation, alleging that they libeled him by accusing him of sexual assault. Crews said in 2016 that Adam Venit, a powerful agent with WME (William Morris Endeavor), groped him at a Hollywood party. At first, the crews said nothing for fear of retaliation, but then went public with the accusation after seeing the flood of revelations about abuse.
Outcome: Their decision to speak was a reminder that Black men are routinely harassed in the entertainment industry, which crew members aren’t very vocal about complaining. As a prominent advocate for obligation in the entertainment market, he was in a position to reimagine the discussion about sexual harassment and bring those that were marginalized into it. Venit was not immediately fired following WME’s investigation of the incident, and he received internal consequences. Meanwhile, crews brought suit, but the suit was settled, reflecting that kind of complicated legal recourse in such situations.