Actress Ashley Judd, known for her strong advocacy for women’s rights, disclosed to Variety that she encountered s**ual harassment from a well-known Hollywood studio executive.
In an interview with Ramin Setoodeh, the film editor of the publication, Judd discussed in detail how a high-ranking studio magnate (whose identity she chose not to disclose) harassed her during the filming of the 1997 movie “Kiss the Girls.”
The influential executive managed to lure Judd to his hotel room and made various inappropriate demands, which she consistently turned down.
It was only when he insisted she watch him shower that she could finally remove herself from the situation and depart.
“At that moment, I didn’t comprehend what was transpiring.
It took me years to retrospect on that occurrence and realize the severe wrongdoing and illegality of it,” Judd expressed.
She also shared her feelings of shame following the incident, where she experienced a sense of powerlessness – especially upon discovering that the studio executive had subjected other actresses to similar treatment.
“I blamed myself for a period .
.
.
.
We internalize the shame,” she remarked.
“The culpability truly rests with the aggressor.
So later on, when I comprehended what unfolded, I thought: Oh god, that’s unacceptable.
That’s s**ual harassment.
That’s illegal.”
Judd recounted encountering the executive a few years later at the premiere of her film “Double Jeopardy” and attempting to confront him, but he actively evaded engagement.
“I was no longer the naive young actress who couldn’t discern the ongoing situation,” Judd reflected.
The actress joins a succession of celebrities, including Joan Collins, Susan Sarandon, and Gwyneth Paltrow, who have shared their own experiences of encountering “casting couch” scenarios as they endeavored to establish themselves in the industry.
Typically, the identities of the executives involved are not disclosed.
Subsequent to enduring severe harassment on Twitter, Judd authored a personal essay for Mic.com detailing her teenage rape ordeal and her survival through abuse and incest.
In her dialogue with Variety, she emphasizes the significance of speaking out against assault.
“We’re gradually realizing individually and collectively that this is a deep-rooted aspect of reality,” she remarked, particularly referencing women within the Hollywood sphere.
“Addressing this issue is crucial to the journey of becoming conscious, acknowledging this reality, and ultimately taking action.”
