Spaced star Jessica Hynes claims she lost an acting job aged 19 by refusing Harvey Weinstein’s demand she audition in a bikini
Bafta-winning actress claims Hollywood legend tried to get her to strip off for screen test - the latest in a series of shocking allegations
A BRIT actress has today joined a chorus of showbiz women accusing Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexism.
Jessica Hynes, star of W1A and cult comedy Spaced, said the legendary producer sacked her after she refused to do a screen test in her bikini when she was just 19.
Weinstein, who has collected six Oscars, has been the subject of a scathing expose in the .
The paper reported allegations of sexual harassment from several industry figures and film stars — including Ashley Judd.
The 49-year-old, who had leading roles in Norma Jean & Marilyn and Divergent, told how she was once summoned to Weinstein's hotel room.
She claimed that Weinstein — wearing a bathrobe — then asked the actress if he could give her a massage, or if she would be willing to watch him take a shower.
Judd said she had thought: “How do I get out of the room as fast as possible without alienating Harvey Weinstein?”
Now Bafta-winner Jessica has publicly accused Weinstein, 65, of sacking her because she refused to strip off for a screen test.
She wrote on Twitter: "I was offered a film role at 19, Harvey Weinstien came on board and wanted me to screen test in a bikini. I refused & lost the job."
Filmmaker Jack Howard responded saying that he had heard her story without realising it was her, to which Jessica, 44, replied: "I'm sure there are many more..."
The Sun Online contacted representatives of Harvey Weinstein for comment on the allegation, however they declined to comment.
Other separate claims included offers of career advancement in exchange for sex, forced massages and incidents in which he was alleged to have fully exposed himself.
The report said allegations against him stretched over three decades and that he had reached settlements with at least eight women.
A lawyer for Weinstein – a co-founder of Miramax, which was behind films including Pulp Fiction - claimed that the allegations were “patently false”.
But Weinstein said in a statement: “I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologise for it.
“Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go.”
Harvey Weinstein's statement in response to sexual harassment allegations
I came of age in the 60’s and 70’s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then.
I have since learned it’s not an excuse, in the office - or out of it. To anyone.
I realized some time ago that I needed to be a better person and my interactions with the people I work with have changed.
I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it.
Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go. That is my commitment.
My journey now will be to learn about myself and conquer my demons. Over the last year I've asked Lisa Bloom to tutor me and she's put together a team of people. I've brought on therapists and I plan to take a leave of absence from my company and to deal with this issue head on. I so respect all women and regret what happened. I hope that my actions will speak louder than words and that one day we will all be able to earn their trust and sit down together with Lisa to learn more. Jay Z wrote in 4:44 "I'm not the man I thought I was and I better be that man for my children." The same is true for me. I want a second chance in the community but I know I've got work to do to earn it. I have goals that are now priorities.
Trust me, this isn't an overnight process. I've been trying to do this for 10 years and this is a wake-up call. I cannot be more remorseful about the people I hurt and I plan to do right by all of them.
I am going to need a place to channel that anger so I've decided that I'm going to give the NRA my full attention. I hope Wayne LaPierre will enjoy his retirement party. I'm going to do it at the same place I had my Bar Mitzvah. I'm making a movie about our President, perhaps we can make it a joint retirement party.
One year ago, I began organizing a $5 million foundation to give scholarships to women directors at USC. While this might seem coincidental, it has been in the works for a year. It will be named after my mom and I won't disappoint her.
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