The fallout continues for Harvey Weinstein, who just yesterday (Oct. 8) was fired from his own company following the New York Times investigation that revealed the famed media mogul had paid off sexual-harassment accusers for decades. Today, Meryl Streep has issued a statement calling the behavior “inexcusable,” and praising the women who went on the record with the Times.
“The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported,” she said in a statement to HuffPost. “The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes.”
Streep said she was not aware of the behavior by Weinstein that prompted the accusations, saying “not everybody knew.” “I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts,” she said.
Read the full statement, as provided to HuffPost:
“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 behavior 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.”
Streep starred in a number of films produced by Weinstein’s company, including “The Iron Lady” and “August: Osage County,” and had referred to him in a 2012 academy awards acceptance speech as “god.”