In the span of about a month or so, sexual assault allegations have taken Hollywood by storm, to say it lightly. Yes, that is how severe the condition has been. It all started with actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie, to name a couple, coming forward with accusations of sexual harassment on one of Hollywood’s most prominent producers, Harvey Weinstein. Although, once the allegations were released, Weinstein was not only fired from his own company but also barred by the Television Academy. Hollywood itself was not the only one to hit back at Weinstein. The moment the news hit the internet, the audience seemed livid. The audience seemed to rally against Weinstein in a matter of moments, sympathizing with the victims, while calling him a predator. What I question here, however, is why the audience reacted in that manner. Was it because of how famous and influential the actresses who accused him were? Or was it because people do not care about producers as much as they care about the actors and actresses we see so closely? Why would I even dare to utter something of this sort? Because Weinstein was just one of many predators who was brought to light, who was not an actor.
Another very prominent Hollywood figure who was accused of sexual assault, which practically broke the internet was our favorite president, Frank Underwood aka Kevin Spacey. This is where my question earlier will make more sense. When people starting from bars to workers in the production house of House of Cards came forward with claims against Spacey, the audience seemed visibly skeptical to believe them. Fans of Spacey and the show were practically begging the world to let Spacey speak and not believe whatever we see on the Internet. Why is that? Is it because someone who is not famous is not trustworthy? Or is it because someone who is famous makes us blind? In one of the revelations of assault, the victim even said that Spacey had offered his own extremely expensive Swiss watch to the victim, to keep him quiet. To fight these accusations, Spacey came out of the closet, with what, the hopes of gaining sympathy from the public because everyone already practically known. While Netflix fired the actor, the audience was not so easily sold. So, what was different here? What was it about this story, that people did not want to believe? Was it his fame? The campaigns he has been part of? The awards that he won? The fact that he was a rich, white male?
This was not the only one that garnered such a reaction from the audience. Gossip Girl sweetheart Ed Westwick was hit with such accusations by two, not very popular actresses. While people almost swore not to believe them, as it initially seemed like it was because of how loved the British stud was, in the reactions that came in later, it seemed as if the audience was making sexual assault accusations a trend. They not only sympathized with Westwick when he said the claims were untrue but also went as far as saying these actresses filed such a claim to gain attention and finally get the fame they always wanted. Not to mention, blaming the victim in the first place, saying why these women would be around a man in whatever manner they were in, that they did not know.
Comedian Louis C K’s case was slightly different, however. People were somehow quick to believe the victims, which gained strength when Louis himself admitted to the accusations being true. Did he think he would gain the sympathy of the audience? Because he kind of did. People showed a softer side of themselves towards him because he owned up to what he did. Now, you tell me, does admit to sexually harassing or abusing someone make it okay to forgive, forget and move on?
Entourage star Jeremy Piven, on the other hand, did the opposite. Accusations on him made him utter words where he said that Hollywood has entered a dark time, where mere allegations are ruining careers. While a good part of the audience did not believe the victims, asking for Piven to be given his stage to talk, another part felt quite the opposite. The opposing crowd seemed enraged at how men of his state could call accusations dark times when what really is dark is the fact that men think they can do whatever they please to women and get away with it. And to be quite fair, do you blame them for thinking this way? Actor Matt Damon admitted to knowing about Weinstein’s case, along with Ben Affleck. Actors of their caliber hid a predator from the world. Why should that gain sympathy? Kevin Spacey was shown empathy once he came out to speak, but why? Why is Piven not getting the heat of assaulting someone? Why are people asking to show him a softer side?
These men are to name just a few of those who have been brought to light, due to assaulting others. What is about them? Is it their fame? Is it the color of their skin? Is it their privilege? What is it? Because the only thing all these accused seem to regret is the fact that they got caught doing what they did.