Terry Crews says he was groped by Hollywood executive amid Weinstein scandal
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Actor Terry Crews attends FOX Fall Party at Catch LA on September 25, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Amid the Hollywood scandal surrounding Harvey Weinstein, Terry Crews is coming forward saying that a different Hollywood hotshot groped him at a party last year.
The "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" star, known for both his comedic acting and his physical stature and build, took to social media to reveal he had been assaulted at a Hollywood party. In a 16-post-long speech he recalled being groped by a male executive.
Crews, born and raise in Flint, Michigan, and former Western Michigan University football player, said that he didn't come forward for multiple reasons. He explained what happened to him in 16 posts on Twitter.
"This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME," he begins.
Crews explains that he and his wife, Rebecca King-Crews, were at a function together just last year when a "high level Hollywood executive" came over and grabbed his "privates." He explains that his wife saw everything and that the assailant in question merely "grinned like a jerk" when Crews asked him what he was doing.
"I was going to kick his ass right then - but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear," he explains. "'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. So we left."
The star went on to explain that he talked with other people who worked with this person and received an apology call from him the next day. However, the person in question never truly explained his actions to Crews, which the star said is par for the course when the predator has both power and influence.
"I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go," he wrote. "Who's going 2 believe you? (few) What r the repercussions?(many) Do u want to work again? (Yes) R you prepared 2b ostracized?(No)."
He said that he loves what he does but it's a shame and disappointment when someone tries to take advantage of that.
The star closed his Twitter speech with a message to show support for women who have come forward with such allegations, explaining that sometimes one has to "compare notes w/ others who've been victimized in order 2gain a position of strength."
He also said that he understands why victims have remained silent and that Weinstein is not the only perpetrator and Hollywood isn't the "the only business we're this happens". He said he hopes that his story will help other victims feel courageous enough to come forward.