Although Weinstein—who’s currently “busy” in Arizona, getting “rehab” for “sex addiction” (and also using up most of a day’s supply of scare quotes in a single go)—has mostly been ignoring the now more than 40 women who’ve accused him of impropriety and assault over the last few weeks, he apparently felt moved to dispute Nyong’o’s story specifically. Thus, a spokesperson for Weinstein issued a statement today, writing, “Mr. Weinstein has a different recollection of the events,” adding that he “believes Lupita is a brilliant actress and a major force for the industry.”
And while there’s already a little ooze coming off of addressing Nyong’o by her first name—especially thanks to her account of his insistence that she call him “Harvey” from their very first meeting—the more frustrating part of the statement came when the representative added, “Last year, she sent a personal invitation to Mr. Weinstein to see her in her Broadway show Eclipsed.” As though that means they must actually be friends, with no hard feelings between them. As though Nyong’o hadn’t just published an entire god damn New York Times op-ed about the web of placating gestures, professional courtesies, and other disarmament gestures—like, say, inviting him to a high-profile Broadway show, an event where they would never, ever be alone together—that she’s been forced to adopt over the years to keep Weinstein from deciding to damage her career over her refusal to indulge in his alleged advances. Jesus Christ.
[via Deadline]
