Terry Crews Describes Being Sexually Assaulted by ‘High-Level’ Hollywood Executive
Following the many allegations against Harvey Weinstein, actor Terry Crews shared his own experience of being sexually assaulted, hoping to encourage victims to speak out.
In recent days, many celebrities have spoken out against Harvey Weinstein and the sexual harassment rampant in the entertainment industry, but few have done so quite as poignantly as Terry Crews. “This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD,” he tweeted on Wednesday afternoon. “Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME.”
Through 16 tweets, the actor detailed having been sexually harassed at a party just last year. Crews recalled that he had attended the party with his wife, who was still with him when a “high level Hollywood executive” approached them and proceeded to grope him. The producer called him the next day to apologize, but never offered Crews any explanation.
As to having waited so long to say anything, Crews said that he’d considered taking immediate action at the party, but restrained himself because he knew how the incident would be portrayed in the media (“‘240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho’ would be the headline the next day, only I probably wouldn’t have been able to read it because I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL”), and because he didn’t want to be ostracized from the entertainment community. He noted that this kind of suppression wasn’t out of the ordinary in instances where predators had power and influence over those they were exploiting.
In his thread, he said he understood why so many women stay silent when it comes to sexual harassment and assault, citing the questions that crop up in the immediate aftermath. “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 damned Weinstein in his tweets, but also made sure to emphasize that Weinstein is not the only predator out there, and that other industries foster this kind of harassment, too. Of his sharing his experience, he said, “Hopefully, me coming forward with my story will deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless.”
This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME. (1/Cont.)
— terrycrews (@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.)
— terrycrews (@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.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I was going to kick his ass right then— but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear. (4/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
“240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho” would be the headline the next day. (5/cont.)
— terrycrews (@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.
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
(6/cont.)
That night and the next day I talked to everyone I knew that worked with him about what happened. (7/cont.)
— terrycrews (@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.)
— terrycrews (@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.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go. (10/cont.)
— terrycrews (@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.)
— terrycrews (@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.)
— terrycrews (@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)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I understand and empathize with those who have remained silent. But Harvey Weinstein is not the only perpetrator. (14/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Hollywood is not the only business we’re this happens, and to the casualties of this behavior— you are not alone. (15/cont.)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Hopefully, me coming forward with my story will deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless. (16/end)
— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
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