Former Trump aide to invest in Weinstein firm :-: Sky News
Sky News One of Donald Trump's closest confidantes has thrown a lifeline to the scandal-hit Wei..
Sky News
One of Donald Trump's closest confidantes has thrown a lifeline to the scandal-hit Weinstein entertainment empire, amid signs it could be up for sale.
The Weinstein Company has confirmed it has entered an agreement with Colony Capital, a private equity firm run by Tom Barrack.
Colony will inject cash into the company while discussions continue over it buying all or part of the Weinstein firm.
:: UK police investigating five Weinstein sex assault claims
:: Corden sorry for Weinstein jokes
The torrent of accusations against Harvey Weinstein had raised questions about the future of the company he founded.
On Friday, his brother Bob denied suggestions the company would be closed or sold, saying it was "business as usual".
:: The Accusers:
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Lina Esco, Actress
She says Weinstein told her: "I think we should see a movie in the theatre, like back in the day, and we should kiss."
She allegedly brushed him off but he pressed on and forcefully tries to kiss her.
"It's just a kiss," he allegedly said.
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Minka Kelly, Actress
After meeting to Weinstein at a party, Kelly claims he set up a "general meeting" via her agent in his hotel room.
"He said: 'I know you were feeling what I was feeling when we met the other night' and then regaled me with offers of a lavish life filled with trips around the world on private planes etc. – If I would be his girlfriend."
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Lysette Anthony, Actress
The British actress, who now stars in Hollyoaks, accused Harvey Weinstein of raping her in the 1980s.
She told the Sunday Times: "He pushed me inside and rammed me against the coat rack. He was trying to kiss me and shove inside me. Finally I just gave up."
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Tara Subkoff, Actress
The 44-year-old star said she was invited to a premiere after party in 1990 where she met Weinstein.
"He motioned for me to come over to him, and then grabbed me to sit me on his lap. I was so surprised and shocked I couldn't stop laughing because it was so awkward.
Subkoff told Page Six she then felt "that he had an erection".
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Angie Everhart, Model
Everhart told a radio station she was sleeping in her bedroom on a yacht at a European film festival when she awoke to find Weinstein standing over her and masturbating.
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Eva Green, Actress
"I wish to address comments made by my mother in a recent interview regarding Harvey Weinstein. I met him for a business meeting in Paris at which he behaved inappropriately and I had to push him off. I got away without it going further, but the experience left me shocked and disgusted.
I have not discussed this before because I wanted to maintain my privacy, but I understand it is important to do so as I hear about other women's experiences. Women are often condemned when they speak out and their personal reputations tarnished by association.
I salute the great bravery of the women who have come forward. We should recognise that this sort of behaviour exists everywhere and is not unique to the entertainment industry. The exploitation of power is ubiquitous. This behaviour is unacceptable and needs to be eliminated."
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Claire Forlani, Actress
"You see, nothing happened to me with Harvey – by that I mean, I escaped 5 times. I had two Peninsula Hotel meetings in the evening with Harvey and all I remember was I ducked, dived and ultimately got out of there without getting slobbered over, well just a bit. Yes, massage was suggested. The three dinners with Harvey I don't really remember the time period, I was 25. I remember him telling me all the actresses who had slept with him and what he had done for them."
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Kate Beckinsale, Actress
In a statement released to her Instagram the actress accused Weinstein showing up to a meeting in a bathrobe and offered her alcohol when she was 17.
"After declining alcohol and announcing that I had school in the morning I left, uneasy but unscathed. A few years later he asked me if he had tried anything with me in that first meeting. I realised he couldn't remember if he had assaulted me or not."
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Florence Darel, Actress
The French actress told French media that Weinstein promised to help make it in America if she became his "part-time" mistress.
"I told him I was very much in love with my partner, but he said that that didn't worry him and he wanted me to be his mistress for a few days a year."
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Cara Delevingne, Model
The model turned actress claims she was invited up to his room where Weinstein asked her to kiss another woman, before later trying to kiss her on the lips.
"I went to a meeting with him in the lobby of a hotel with a director about an upcoming film.
"The director left the meeting and Harvey asked me to stay and chat with him. As soon as we were alone he began to brag about all the actresses he had slept with and how he had made their careers and spoke about other inappropriate things of a sexual nature.
"He then invited me to his room. I quickly declined and asked his assistant if my car was outside. She said it wasn't and wouldn't be for a bit and I should go to his room.
"At that moment I felt very powerless and scared but didn't want to act that way hoping that I was wrong about the situation.
"When I arrived I was relieved to find another woman in his room and thought immediately I was safe.
"He asked us to kiss and she began some sort of advances upon his direction. I swiftly got up and asked him if he knew that I could sing. And I began to sing….i thought it would make the situation better….more professional….like an audition….i was so nervous.
"After singing I said again that I had to leave. He walked me to the door and stood in front of it and tried to kiss me on the lips. I stopped him and managed to get out of the room."
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Lea Seydoux, Actress
The French star who stars in James Bond film Skyfall wrote an article in the Guardian saying: "He suddenly jumped on me and tried to kiss me. I had to defend myself. He's big and fat, so I had to be forceful to resist him."
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Gwyneth Paltrow, Actress
Paltrow told The New York Times that Weinstein hired her for the lead role in the film Emma and, before shooting the film, invited her to his suite.
She then claims he touched her and suggested having joint massages in the bedroom when she was 22 years old.
"I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified," she said.
She claimed she then told Brad Pitt, her boyfriend at the time, about the incident and that the actor confronted Weinstein.
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Louisette Geiss, Actress
Geiss claimed she was called to a late night meeting with Weinstein, when he emerged in a bathrobe and told her he would approve her script if she watched him masturbate.
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Judith Godreche, Actress
Weinstein allegedly harassed French actress Judith Godreche in Cannes, but she claims she was advised by a colleague not to speak out against him.
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Dawn Dunning, Actress
Weinstein allegedly offered aspiring actress Dawn Dunning roles in upcoming films in exchange for sexual favours.
She claims he told her she would "never make it in this business" if she denied him.
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Asia Argento, Actress
The Italian actress who stars in action film xXx, spoke to The New Yorker, accusing Weinstein of forcibly performing oral sex on her at his hotel in 1997. She told the magazine: "It wouldn't stop. It was a nightmare."
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Katherine Kendall, Actress
In 1993, Weinstein allegedly exposed himself to actress Katherine Kendall at his apartment.
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Ambra Battilana Gutierrez, Model
The Italian model leaked a recording of Weinstein allegedly sexually harassing her.
"Why yesterday you touch my breast?" she is heard saying.
"Oh, please, sorry, just come on in, I'm used to that," he answers.
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Mira Sorvino, Actress
In 1995, at the Toronto International Film Festival, Weinstein allegedly harassed actress Mira Sorvino, star of 1996 comedy Beautiful Girls.
She claims he later went to her apartment late one night for a marketing meeting he had suggested.
She told him her boyfriend was coming over and he left, she says.
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Rosanna Arquette, Actress
Weinstein allegedly tried to put Pulp Fiction actress Rosanna Arquette's hand on his penis.
When she rejected him, she claimed he said she was "making a big mistake".
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Rose McGowan, Actress
Weinstein reached a reported $100,000 settlement with Charmed actress Rose McGowan after she alleged a sexual harassment incident.
McGowan has tweeted that "HW raped me".
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Ashley Judd, Actress
Actress Ashley Judd was one of the first women to come forward with accusations against Weinstein, alleging he made an indecent proposal to her at her hotel suite.
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Emma de Caunes, Actress
In 2010, Weinstein allegedly showed his penis and demanded sex from French actress Emma de Caunes after a business meeting.
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Lauren O'Connor, Executive
Lauren O'Connor, a former employee of Weinstein, wrote a memo about his actions, saying she felt "sexualised and diminished".
Weinstein reportedly agreed on a settlement with her.
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Jessica Barth, Actress
In 2011, Weinstein allegedly pressured actress Jessica Barth to give him a naked massage at the Peninsula Hotel in New York.
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Lauren Sivan, Journalist
Journalist Lauren Sivan allegedly refused a kiss from Weinstein before he allegedly performed a sex act in front of her at the Cafe Socialista restaurant in New York.
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Jessica Hynes, Actress
The British actress said she was invited to audition in a bikini for Weinstein when she was 19.
She claims she lost the job when she refused to wear it.
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Romola Garai, Actress
British actress Romola Garai said she felt "violated" following a meeting with the mogul when she was 18.
"So I had to go to his hotel room in the Savoy and he answered the door in his bathrobe. I was only 18. I felt violated by it," she said.
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Heather Graham, Actress
Graham accused Weinstein of calling her into his office and implying she had to sleep with him in order to get a part.
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Angelina Jolie, Actress
In 1998, Weinstein allegedly harassed actress Angelina Jolie in a hotel room.
In an email to The New York Times, Jolie said: "I had a bad experience with Harvey Weinstein in my youth, and as a result, chose never to work with him again and warn others when they did.
"This behavior towards women in any field, any country is unacceptable."
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Juls Bindi, Massage Therapist
Bindi accused Weinstein of masturbating in front of her in 2010 after a massage.
She says he simultaneously groped her and masturbated in front of her after she told him to stop.
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Anonymous #1
A woman who did not wish to be named told The New Yorker that he summoned her to a hotel where he was staying and raped her.
Anonymous #2
An unnamed assistant accused him of pressuring her for a "massage" in a hotel in 2015.
Anonymous #3
An unnamed Miramax employee accused him of sexual harassment which was settled out of court.
Anonymous #4
A British woman accused Weinstein of sexual assault in three separate dates in 2010, 2011 and 2015 in Westminster and Camden.
Anonymous #5
A British woman accused Weinstein of sexual assault in Westminster in 1992.
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But 72 hours later came the confirmation of the deal with Colony. Although it is likely to mean one of the great powerhouses of Hollywood remains in existence for the immediate future, major changes are almost certain to take place.
The Weinstein Company, founded by the brothers in 2005, is behind Hollywood blockbusters including Django Unchained, The King's Speech and Silver Linings Playbook.
In a statement, Mr Barrack said: "We will help return the company to its rightful iconic position in the independent film and television industry."
A billionaire who made his fortune in real estate, Mr Barrack was the chairman of Mr Trump's presidential inauguration committee. He previously bought another Weinstein creation, Miramax, and saved Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch from ruin.
As allegations piled up against Mr Weinstein on both sides of the Atlantic, shareholders and business partners of The Weinstein Company had begun to question their continuing involvement with the firm. Amazon Studios and director Oliver Stone were among them.
Weinstein himself has been fired from the company he founded, although it has been reported he will make representations at a board meeting this week that his firing was unlawful.
:: The Critics:
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Woody Allen, Director
"No one ever came to me or told me horror stories with any real seriousness. And they wouldn't, because you are not interested in it. You are interested in making your movie. But you do hear a million fanciful rumours all the time. And some turn out to be true and some – many – are just stories about this actress, or that actor.
The whole Harvey Weinstein thing is very sad for everybody involved. Tragic for the poor women that were involved, sad for Harvey that is life is so messed up.
There's no winners in that, it's just very, very sad and tragic for those poor women that had to go through that."
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Tom Hanks, Actor
"Look, I don't want to rag on Harvey but so obviously something went down there. You can't buy, 'Oh, well, I grew up in the '60s and '70s and so therefore' – I did, too. So I think it's like, well, what do you want from this position of power? I know all kinds of people that just love hitting on, or making the lives of underlings some degree of miserable, because they can."
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Ryan Gosling, Actor
"I want to add my voice of support for the women who have had the courage to speak out against Harvey Weinstein. Like most people in Hollywood, I have worked with him and I'm deeply disappointed in myself for being so oblivious to these devastating experiences of sexual harassment and abuse. He is emblematic of a systemic problem. Men should stand with women and work together until there is real accountability and change."
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Emma Thompson, Actress
"I don't think you can describe him as a sex addict. He's a predator – that's different. He's at the top of, as it were, the ladder of, a system of harassment and belittlement and bullying and interference. This has been part of our world, women's world, since time immemorial."
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Bob Weinstein, Harvey's brother and the co-founder of The Weinstein Company
"My brother has caused unconscionable suffering. As a father of three girls I say this with every bone in my body – I am heartbroken for the women that he has harmed," he told The Hollywood Reporter.
"I'm ashamed that he is my brother, to be honest, and I am ashamed that these are his actions."
He added: "I'm mortified and disgusted by my brother's actions. And I am sick for the victims."
"It's unbelievable that even to this moment he is more concerned with who sold him out. I don't hear concern or contrition for the victims."
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Colin Farrell, Actor
"I'm just watching it unfold and then tearing myself away from it and realising the horribleness of it all and the wrongdoing, fundamentally, around the whole thing and just wish healing for everyone and that changes are made.
I hope anyone who was hurt that they have healing. It's just atrocious, really."
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Carey Mulligan, Actress
"Thank God it's all coming out, it's horrific. And thank God it's coming to the fore and these incredible women are feeling brave enough to be able to come forward and say something about it."
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Colin Firth, Actor
"She told me she had had a distressing encounter with Harvey Weinstein," Firth told the Guardian about one of the accusers, Sophie Dix.
"I don't think she went into all the horrific detail I've read in her interview. But I remember her being profoundly upset by it. To my shame, I merely expressed sympathy.
I didn't act on what she told me. It was a long time ago and I don't know if she remembers telling me, but the fact that I had that conversation has come back to haunt me in the light of these revelations. It's the only direct account of this kind of behaviour by Harvey Weinstein that's ever been told to me."
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Kelly MacDonald, Actress
"He needs to be locked up – that's the main thing. He seems to have behaved in a way that you would think that's the very least that should happen."
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Paris Hilton, Socialite
"Growing up in Hollywood I've experienced that a lot. I think when someone is in power then they are able to do that – so I think it's really brave of these women to be speaking out and to start a movement to stop this. Because it happens way too often."
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Anette Bening, Actress
"Perhaps now that this has been uncovered, things will change. Maybe men will understand things better and young women as well. It is very, very important that they spoke out."
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James Van Der Beek, Actor
"For anyone judging the women who stayed silent, read this for perspective. Also for anyone brushing off harassment as 'boys being boys'.
What Weinstein is being accused of is criminal. What he's admitted to is unacceptable – in any industry. I applaud everybody speaking out.
I've had my ass grabbed by older, powerful men, I've had them corner me in
inappropriate sexual conversations when I was much younger…I understand the unwarranted shame, powerlessness & inability to blow the whistle.
There's a power dynamic that feels impossible to overcome."
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Ewan McGregor, Actor
"It's about time this came to light and he is getting just deserts. Heard rumours over the years but this is awful. Bye Bully!"
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Brie Larson, Actress
"As always, I stand with the brave survivors of sexual assault and harassment. It's not your fault. I believe you."
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Jeff Bridges, Actor
"Talk about facing your fear, he's gotta face his demons now. I wish him the best of luck with that, he needs to lean in and really face those things."
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Benedict Cumberbatch, Actor
"I am utterly disgusted by the continuing revelations of Harvey Weinstein's horrifying and unforgivable actions. We need to collectively stand up and support victims of abuse such as the brave and inspiring women who have spoken out against him and say we hear you and believe you. That way others may be emboldened by our support to come forward and speak.
But we shouldn't wait until there are any more stories like this. We, as an industry and as a society at large, need to play our part. There has to be zero tolerance of any such behaviour in any walk of life. We owe that to these women's bravery in coming forward."
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Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor
"There is no excuse for sexual harassment or sexual assault – no matter who you are and no matter what profession. I applaud the strength and courage of the women who came forward and made their voices heard."
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Michelle and Barack Obama, Former US First Lady/President
"Michelle and I have been disgusted by the recent reports about Harvey Weinstein. Any man who demeans and degrades women in such fashion needs to be condemned and held accountable, regardless of wealth or status."
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Emmy Rossum, Actress
"The 'old dinosaur' explanation doesn't cut it. Decades of using power to intimidate women for sexual gain is reprehensible and inexcusable."
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Judd Apatow, Director
"What Harvey Weinstein did was abhorrent. He admits he did it. Why should anyone be silent in their disgust and support for his victims?"
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Patricia Arquette, Actress
"If there is a way to cure yourself of being a predator than I hope Harvey learns what it is & shares it with the world. It's an epidemic."
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Michael Keaton, Actor
"H Weinstein – yikes! Disgusting and creepy. So is 'leader of the free world', by the way."
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Kevin Smith, Director
"He financed the first 14 years of my career – and now I know while I was profiting, others were in terrible pain. It makes me feel ashamed."
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Jessica Chastain, Actress
"I was warned from the beginning. The stories were everywhere. To deny that is to create an environment for it to happen again."
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Mark Ruffalo, Actor
"To be clear what Harvey Weinstein did was a disgusting abuse of power and horrible. I hope we are now seeing the beginning of the end of these abuses."
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Lena Dunham, Actress
"Easy to think Weinstein company took swift action but this has actually been the slowest action because they always always knew."
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Julianne Moore, Actress
"Coming forward about sexual abuse and coercion is scary and women have nothing to be gained personally by doing so. But through their bravery we move forward as a culture, and I thank them. Stand with Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan and others."
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Judy Dench, Actress
"Whilst there is no doubt that Harvey Weinstein has helped and championed my film career for the past 20 years, I was completely unaware of these offences which are, of course, horrifying, and I offer my sympathy to those who have suffered, and wholehearted support to those who have spoken out."
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Glenn Close, Actress
"I'm sitting here, deeply upset, acknowledging to myself that, yes, for many years, I have been aware of the vague rumours that Harvey Weinstein had a pattern of behaving inappropriately around women. Harvey has always been decent to me, but now that the rumours are being substantiated, I feel angry and darkly sad.
I'm angry, not just at him and the conspiracy of silence around his actions, but also that the "casting couch" phenomenon, so to speak, is still a reality in our business and in the world: the horrible pressure, the awful expectation put on a woman when a powerful, egotistical, entitled bully expects sexual favors in exchange for a job.
Ours is an industry in which very few actors are indispensable and women are cast in far fewer roles than men, so the stakes are higher for women and make them more vulnerable to the manipulations of a predator. I applaud the monumental courage of the women who have spoken up. I hope that their stories and the reportage that gave them their voices represents a tipping point, that more stories will be told and that change will follow.
The changes must be both institutional and personal. Men and women, in positions of power, must create a work environment in which people, whose jobs depend on them, feel safe to report threatening and inappropriate behaviour, like that reported in the Times. No one should be coerced into trading personal dignity for professional success. I feel the time is long and tragically overdue for all of us in the industry, women and men, to unite – calmly and dispassionately – and create a new culture of respect, equality and empowerment, where bullies and their enablers are no longer allowed to prosper."
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Meryl Streep, Actress
"The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported. The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes.
One thing can be clarified. Not everybody knew. Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally. I didn't know about these other offenses: I did not know about his financial settlements with actresses and colleagues; I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts. And if everybody knew, I don't believe that all the investigative reporters in the entertainment and the hard news media would have neglected for decades to write about it.
The behaviour is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar. Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game."
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Kate Winslet, Actress
"His behaviour is without question disgraceful and appalling and very, very wrong. I had hoped that these kind of stories were just made up rumours, maybe we have all been naive."
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Jennifer Lawrence, Actress
"I was deeply disturbed to hear the news about Harvey Weinstein's behaviour. This kind of abuse is inexcusable and absolutely upsetting."
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George Clooney, Actor
"I suppose the argument would be that it's not just about Hollywood, but about all of us – that every time you see someone using their power and influence to take advantage of someone without power and influence and you don't speak up, you're complicit."
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Ben Affleck, Actor
"I am saddened and angry that a man who I worked with used his position of power to intimidate, sexually harass and manipulate many women over decades."
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Matt Damon, Actor
"As the father of four daughters, this is the kind of sexual predation that keeps me up at night. This is the great fear for all of us. I did five or six movies with Harvey. I never saw this. I feel horrible for these women and it's wonderful they have this incredible courage and are standing up now. We can all feel this change that's happening, which is necessary and overdue."
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Nicole Kidman, Actress
"As I've stated before publicly, I support and applaud all women and these women who speak out against any abuse and misuse of power – be it domestic violence or sexual harassment in the workforce. We need to eradicate this behaviour."
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The producer is reported to be attending a rehab centre in Arizona. At the weekend, the one-time Oscar grandee was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Police in New York and London are examining allegations against him dating back to the 1980s.
The Weinstein Company has seen a number of its directors quit in the wake of the revelations about their most high-profile colleague.
:: The Defenders:
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Oliver Stone, Director
"I'm a believer that you wait until this thing gets to trial. I believe a man shouldn't be condemned by a vigilante system. It's not easy what he's going through, either."
He later said: "After looking at what has been reported in many publications over the last couple of days, I'm appalled and commend the courage of the women who've stepped forward to report sexual abuse or rape."
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Lindsay Lohan, Actress
"I feel very bad for Harvey Weinstein right now, I don't think it's right what's going on. I think Georgina [Chapman] needs to take a stand and be there for her husband. He's never harmed me or did anything to me – we've done several movies together. I think everyone needs to stop – I think it's wrong. So stand up."
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Donna Karan, Fashion Designer
"I think we have to look at ourselves. Obviously, the treatment of women all over the world is something that has always had to be identified. Certainly in the country of Haiti where I work, in Africa, in the developing world, it's been a hard time for women. To see it here in our own country is very difficult, but I also think how do we display ourselves? How do we present ourselves as women? What are we asking? Are we asking for it by presenting all the sensuality and all the sexuality? And what are we throwing out to our children today about how to dance and how to perform and what to wear? How much should they show?
Yes, I think he's being looked at right now as a symbol, not necessarily as him. I know his wife, I think they're wonderful people, Harvey has done some amazing things. I think we have to look at our world and what we want to say and how we want to say it as well.
You look at everything all over the world today and how women are dressing and what they are asking by just presenting themselves the way they do. What are they asking for? Trouble."
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Those remaining are publicly confident about the company's future.
Board member Tarak Ben Ammar said: "We believe that Colony's investment and sponsorship will help stabilise the company's current operations as well as provide comfort to our critical distribution, production and talent partners around the world."
Weinstein has "unequivocally denied" all allegations of unlawful behaviour.