Rebel Wilson Says 'Male Star' Sexually Harassed Her While His Friends Laughed
Actress Rebel Wilson has come forward to describe a series of disturbing incidents from her time in the film industry, including being sexually harassed by a “male star” while his friends looked on and laughed.
“I’ve been away in a ‘bubble’ of sorts creating new comedy overseas but it’s so hard to hear all these stories relating to sexual harassment and assault in Hollywood,” the Australian actress wrote on Twitter Saturday, referring to the barrage of sexual harassment and assault allegations against various celebrities and powerful figures in recent weeks.
Wilson continued that she had her own “story to tell,” and described encounters with two different men, neither of whom she identified by name.
“A male star, in a position of power asked me to go into a room with him and then asked me repeatedly to stick my finger up his ass,” she wrote, adding that the man’s friends were laughing and trying to film on their phones.
After she told her agent about what happened, she said the star’s representatives called her and threatened her to “be nice.” She said she subsequently warned other people to avoid the person in question.
Though she didn’t name the person, in a 2014 interview, Wilson said actor Sacha Baron Cohen asked her to inappropriately touch him on the set of his movie “The Brothers Grimsby” and repeatedly pressured her to go naked in the film.
“Sacha and I have the same agent in America and I’m like, ‘Sacha, I’m going to call our agent Sharon and tell her how much you are harassing me.’ Every day he’s like, ’Just go naked, it will be funny,‴ she recalled to an Australian radio station.
“Then in the last scene ... he was like, ‘Rebel can you just stick your finger up my butt?’ And I went, ‘What do you mean Sacha? That’s not in the script.’ And he’s like, ‘Look, I’ll just pull down my pants, you just stick your finger up my butt, it’ll be a really funny bit.’”
A representative for Baron Cohen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
During another unwanted experience with a Hollywood figure, Wilson said, a “top director” invited her to his hotel room for what she thought would be a professional meeting. Wilson fled the encounter when she overheard the man’s wife calling and getting angry with him for “sleeping with actresses.”
Wilson noted that she was grateful she was able to get out of both incidents.
“I realize not everyone is as lucky,” she said.
Read her full tweets below:
I've been away in a 'bubble' of sorts creating new comedy overseas but it's so hard to hear all these stories relating to sexual harassment and assault in Hollywood. As you guys know, I'm a pretty strong and confident person but even I have a story to tell.
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017
A male star, in a position of power asked me to go into a room with him and then asked me repeatedly to stick my finger up his ass. All whilst his male 'friends' tried to film the incident on their iPhones and laughed. I repeatedly said no and eventually got out of the room.
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017
I called my agent immediately and my lawyer made a complaint with the studio - basically to protect myself that in the event something similar ever occurred I'd be able to walk out of the job and not obliged to return.
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017
Later I was threatened by one of the star's representatives to be nice and support the male star. I refused. The whole thing was disgusting.
I've told hundreds of people in the industry the story in more graphic detail basically to warn them off this individual.— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017
Earlier in my career, I also had a 'hotel room' encounter with a top director. I thought we were there to talk comedy. Nothing physical happened because the guy's wife called and started abusing him over the phone for sleeping with actresses and luckily she was yelling so loud...
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017
that I could hear her and I bolted out of there immediately. I was so naive the thought of anything happening apart from 'work talk' didn't even cross my mind.
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017
I feel lucky that I grew up in a pro-female environment, going to an all-girls high school, and that I have such a strong sense of self and have taken self-defense classes. I had the ability to escape both incidents. I realize not everyone is as lucky.
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017
To hear how prevalent sexual harassment and assault is, is just so saddening. I know my stories aren't as horrific as other women and men have described - but if you've ever experienced anything like this I feel for you and can relate on some level.
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017
I know, moving forward, that if I witness this behavior, whether it happens to me or someone I know, I will no longer be POLITE. Interpret that as you will.
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) November 11, 2017
This article has been updated to include mention of Wilson’s 2014 radio interview.
Also on HuffPost
Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.
2011
2011
2012
2012
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2014
2014
2014
2015
2015
2015
2015
2015
2015
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
