As sexual assault allegations mount against him, Bill Cosby broke his silence to make a statement on the media coverage of the accusations.
“Let me say this. I only expect the black media to uphold the standards of excellence in journalism and when you do that you have to go in with a neutral mind,” Cosby told a New York Post writer, who also writes for black media outlets, in a short phone conversation from his Massachusetts home.
Although Cosby told the reporter that he wasn’t supposed to speak with media (his attorney Marty Singer has been issuing statements on his client’s behalf), he added that his wife, Camille, remained strong amid the accusations.
See video: ‘The View’s’ Rosie O’Donnell Predicts There are ‘Hundreds’ of Bill Cosby Rape Victims
“Love and the strength of womanhood,” he said of how his wife is handling the news. “Let me say it again, love and the strength of womanhood. And, you could reverse it, the strength of womanhood and love.”
More than 20 women have come forward to say that the famous actor and comedian had drugged and sexually assaulted them. And earlier this week, former model Beverly Johnson came forward with an accusation that Cosby drugged her during a proposed audition for “The Cosby Show” in the 1980s. She was able to escape the situation before any type of possible sexual attack could occur.
At least one woman has an open defamation lawsuit against Cosby for lying about drugging and sexually assaulting her.
See video: 5 Bill Cosby Accusers Speak Out on CNN: ‘We Suffered Collectively’
As a result of the allegations, Cosby’s comedy project with NBC was killed and Netflix pulled a stand-up special it had planned to premiere on Thanksgiving. Additionally, dozens of performances on his current standup tour have been canceled.
Cosby previously defended his refusal to comment, telling Florida Today in November, “I know people are tired of me not saying anything, but a guy doesn’t have to answer to innuendos. People should fact check. People shouldn’t have to go through that and shouldn’t answer to innuendos.”
In the wake of the mounting allegations, attorney Singer previously released a statement saying: “The new, never-before-heard claims from women who have come forward in the past two weeks with unsubstantiated, fantastical stories about things they say occurred 30, 40, or even 50 years ago have escalated far past the point of absurdity.”
