Editor’s Note: Whether on screen or off, Hollywood can always be counted on to keep us entertained. This is especially true when it comes to politics. Join us each week as we shine the spotlight on Tinseltown’s A-listers and their wacky and sometimes inspiring takes on today’s current events.
Manson and Whedon Accused of Sexual Misconduct – and Worse
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson, the musician-slash-artist-slash-actor, has had his share of controversial media coverage, but now, after nine women have come forward to accuse him of bizarre and even frightening sexual misconduct, the star is experiencing the #MeToo movement at its finest. Once again, without proof – guilty until proven innocent – the star has been dropped by his talent agency CAA, fired from the record label Loma Vista, and let go from TV shows American Gods on Starz and Shudder’s Creepshow. To be fair, the accusations are disturbing, to say the least.
Westworld actress Evan Rachel Wood, 33, opened the floodgates after accusing Manson. Soon after, eight more women came forward to claim abuse and sexual harassment. Wood met Manson when she was a teenager and said he had “groomed” her so that she was “brainwashed and manipulated into submission.” Some of the other accusations were more detailed.
Model Sarah McNeilly said Manson threw her against a wall and threatened to smash her face with a baseball bat, according to the Daily Mail. Another model, Ashley Lindsay Morgan, a Jewish woman, claims he asked her to buy him Nazi memorabilia while she was in Asia and to bring it to the United States for him. Photographer Ashley Walters did not have a romantic relationship with Manson, but as his assistant, she alleges that the singer “frequently” became violent and even “offered” her up for “sexual relationships with collaborators.”
Game of Thrones actress Esme Bianco has scars on her back, allegedly whip marks from one of Manson’s beatings. She said in an interview with ABC News that she has gone to authorities, including the FBI, with evidence that she was also human-trafficked by the rocker.
Other allegations accuse Manson of forcing the women to make blood pacts, abusing them physically, and biting that left them black and blue. Former porn star Jenna Jameson said he fantasized about burning her alive.
Manson denies all charges, of course, saying everything was consensual. Ex-wife and burlesque star Dita Von Teese said that she’d never experienced physical abuse at his hands and that their 12-month marriage ended because of his drug abuse and infidelity. She did, however, offer support for the women who have come forward against her ex-husband.
Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon is best known for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Avengers movie, and his newest project The Nevers. Ray Fisher, the actor who portrayed the Cyborg in Warner Bros.’ 2017 film Justice League, accused Whedon of “gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable” behavior. Since Fisher’s accusation, some former stars of Buffy spoke out to give support and share their stories.
Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase on both Buffy and the offshoot Angel, said he made rude remarks about her pregnancy, even asking if she was “going to keep it.” Then, he put the pregnant actress on a daily 1 a.m. reporting schedule. Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy) tweeted, “I don’t want to be forever associated with Joss Whedon.” Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers) said she wasn’t allowed to be in a room alone with him.
On Angel, James Marsters (Spike) said Whedon once backed him against a wall and said, “I don’t care how popular you are, kid, you’re dead.”
Whedon’s ex-wife, Kai Cole, had a different take on his behavior, claiming he promoted the feminist movement while he “deceived” her for 15 years of their marriage.
Whedon stepped down from The Nevers after the accusations went public but has yet to respond to them.
Cheers and Jeers
Sometimes, HollyWeird players make headlines for silly or bizarre happenings, so here is a collection of newsworthy doings — honorable and dishonorable — by the tenants of Tinseltown.
From Fighting to Protect Baby Yoda to Fighting for Free Speech
Gina Carano, the actress on Disney’s The Mandalorian, was recently let go from Lucasfilm for what its officials considered inappropriate tweets. Apparently, the former MMA fighter made fun of mask-wearing protocols, stated claims of election fraud, and posted an Instagram that compared today to Holocaust times. Yet she hasn’t been entirely silenced. Carano has just signed a filmmaking deal with Ben Shapiro and The Daily Wire.
Timberlake Apologizes to Women in His Life
After a recent documentary on Britney Spears and her battle with her father over taking conservatorship was aired, former boyfriend Justin Timberlake took to social media to make amends for the mistakes he’d made in regards to women. Timberlake apologized to Spears for his insensitivity as a male in Hollywood, which gives him privilege. In the 2002 music video for Cry Me a River, he used a Spears look-alike, giving the impression that Britney had cheated on him and reportedly damaged her reputation while his soared. Timberlake also apologized to Janet Jackson for the “wardrobe malfunction” during the 2004 Super Bowl. Jackson’s career suffered from the “mistake” while Timberlake’s boomed, so that he was even invited to perform at another Super Bowl.
Hart’s Personal Shopper Commits Identity Theft
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart had a rude awakening after discovering that his personal shopper had used his accounts to allegedly steal more than $1 million. Dylan Jason Syer, 29, the shopper, was charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and identity theft. According to reports, he used the star’s credit cards to make expensive purchases such as jewelry, paintings, and other collectible items.
Tune in next week to see what else Tinseltown has planned.
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Read more from Kelli Ballard.
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