Revelations and accusations against Hollywood giant Harvey Weinstein has sparked a conversation about sexual harassment within the industry. As many celebs have spoken out against the producer, it has given actor Terry Crews the courage to share his own sexual harassment experience.
In a Twitter thread on Tuesday (Oct. 10), the Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor revealed he was inexplicably groped by a male “Hollywood honcho” last year during a party. “This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME,” he wrote.
This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME. (1/Cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates. (2/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk. (3/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Crews explained that his first instinct was to “kick his ass right then,” however, he contemplated how a 240-pound black man beating a Hollywood exec. would be portrayed in the media and how it could affect his career. The actor and his wife ultimately decided to leave the party.
I was going to kick his ass right then— but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear. (4/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
“240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho” would be the headline the next day. (5/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Only I probably wouldn’t have been able to read it because I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL. So we left.
(6/cont.)— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
The actor discussed the incident with several people within the industry and word apparently got back to the Hollywood executive who called Crews the next day to apologize, but failed to offer an explanation of why he grabbed Crews’ groin.
That night and the next day I talked to everyone I knew that worked with him about what happened. (7/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
He called me the next day with an apology but never really explained why he did what he did. (8/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I decided not 2 take it further becuz I didn’t want 2b ostracized— par 4 the course when the predator has power n influence. (9/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Crews dropped the issue, admittedly, because “I didn’t want 2b ostracized— par 4 the course when the predator has power n influence.” The unfortunate situation helped the former NFL player understand “why many women who this happens to let it go.”
“Who’s going 2 believe you? (few) What r the repercussions? (many) Do u want 2 work again? (Yes) R you prepared 2b ostracized?(No),” he wrote.
I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go. (10/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Who’s going 2 believe you? ( few) What r the repercussions?(many) Do u want 2 work again? (Yes) R you prepared 2b ostracized?(No)(11/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I love what I do. But it’s a shame and the height of disappointment when someone tries to takes advantage of that. (12/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
He knows who he is. But sumtimes Uhav2 wait & compare notes w/ others who’ve been victimized in order 2gain a position of strength. (13cont)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I understand and empathize with those who have remained silent. But Harvey Weinstein is not the only perpetrator. (14/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
By sharing his story, Crews hopes to encourage others who have had similar experiences and to deter predators from continuing their behavior.
Hollywood is not the only business we’re this happens, and to the casualties of this behavior— you are not alone. (15/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Hopefully, me coming forward with my story will deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless. (16/end)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
A rep for Crews says the actor has no further comment about the incident at this time.
Based on the accounts of former employees and associates, an exposé by The New York Times published last week accused heavy-weight Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of sexually harassing women for several decades.
Several A-list celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow have come forward to reveal Weinstein has sexually harassed them, while stars like Meryl Streep and George Clooney have spoken out against Weinstein.
Amid the allegations, Weinstein has been fired from his own company, The Weinstein Company, and his wife of 10 years, designer Georgina Chapman, announced she is leaving him. TMZ is also reporting Weinstein entered rehab for sex addiction in Europe on Tuesday.
