Reading the articles about the all women attacked, harassed, threatened and stalked by Harvey Weinstein has been difficult. I don’t have a story that’s any worse than anyone else’s but like so many other women it’s brought up some painful truths about my past. I don’t want to talk or think about it and have been eating my feelings. So that’s why I have as much respect for the women who chose to stay silent as I do for the women who speak out. We all have our own journey and way of dealing with things.
Given my own level of secrecy around this, I would never presume to even ask even my best friend why she’s using the #metoo tag. That is something that is highly personal and it’s hers to tell when and if she’s ready. That’s why it’s incredibly galling to hear that an obnoxious talk show host, a guy named Richard Madeley, asked Kristin Chenoweth point blank during an interview on Good Morning Britain if she’d ever had a problem with Weinstein. They were discussing the issue in general and somehow, in his ineptitude as a person and interviewer, Madeley thought that was appropriate question. Then, when Kristin said “I really don’t want to comment on that at this point” he said “It sounds like a yes.” THE NERVE! To her credit she recovered like a champ (although yelling and walking out would have been completely understandable) and talked about the issue of sexual harassment in so many industries. Then Madeley pressured her further. I don’t know much about this guy but he seems to have a reputation as a giant ass. Here’s some of what they said. The questions attributed to SR are from Susanna Reid, the cohost, and you can watch the video below.
SR: We’re talking to you on a day when there are more allegations of sexual harassment coming out over in Hollywood. You’ve been in a Harvey Weinstein musical. You were in a position where you had to serenade him at the Tonys a couple of years ago. What would you like to say in the wake of these allegations?
KC: First of all I’m deeply hurt for the women. I like to see them coming out strong and not being victims. I hate for any woman or man this has ever happened to. I don’t know of somebody who hasn’t had situations they’ve had to get out of. I find myself doing like a weird arm fart noise and a booger. I just try to be funny but the truth is we shouldn’t have to do that stuff.RM: Did you have a problem with him?
KC: You know what, I really don’t want to comment on that at this point. I see that [interrupted]
RM: It sounds like a yes.
KC: What I would like to say is that there can be good that comes from it. I think this is the beginning… I think we’ll see it in music and fashion and all kinds of things. Sometimes chaos happens before order.RM: Why do you think everybody connives(?) at it though. I’m not in any way casting aspersions or blame, but why do you think this was an open secret in Hollywood?
KC: I’m not sure. I’d like to know that of myself in many other situations with many other people. Why do I shy away from it?RM: Is it embarrassment?
KC: Maybe it’s a little bit of shame. We’re not just talking about women. There’s men who have had this too. I think this is the beginning. Let’s look at good men like you [points to RM] in the business who have given us good behavior and respect towards women. JJ Abrams I was in a play with him yesterday. Respectful. Bryan Fuller, respectful. There’s lots of men in our industry who are not that. That’s what I’m going to try to focus on.
[From video of Good Morning Britain]
British Celebitches, is this guy the budget Piers Morgan? (Incidentally Piers Morgan is on that show too.) I would cancel him based on this alone and he seems to do this kind of thing frequently. He’s a neo-con who complains that not enough is being done with Brexit and he recently made a bad Weinstein “joke.” All love and respect to Kristin for dealing with this asshat.
This is Kristin’s face right after this douchebag questioned her again, the part where he asked why it was an open secret. She just did this for a second and then regained composure immediately like a pro. I really like how she changed focus to the fact that there are good men in Hollywood, she even pointed to Madeley to appeal to his narcissism. She didn’t want to talk in depth about this and the interviewer treated it like an interrogation.
Here’s the video. I’m definitely a fan of Chenoweth’s now.
Kristin Chenoweth handling all Harvey Weinstein questions with class and tact.👏👏👏 #GMB
— Jenna Pedder (@JNAPDR) October 18, 2017
Wanted to reach through the screen and punch Richard Madeley for trying to get Kristen Chenoweth to divulge about Weinstein. Fucking gross.
— Amy Andrews (@AmyJAndrews) October 18, 2017
Man pesters women repeatedly to say whether she was pestered by a man…#irony #richardmadeley #KristinChenowethhttps://t.co/j1z7e6HnGI
— RebeccaChance (@MsRebeccaChance) October 18, 2017
photos credit: WENN.com
Partridge would have shown more class.
and people think Americans are tacky? lmao globalization?
Richard Madeley’s been on British TV for decades. He and his wife Judy presented ‘This Morning’ for ages. He’s an arse and a dope and an embarrassment all round.
Such an arse of a human being in general.
Definitely. And absolutely spot on with the “budget Piers Morgan” comment. RM has always tried to be controversial, but it’s just so painfully awkward to watch, and try-hard and rude. British morning TV has been heavily influenced by the US in recent years and they’re just trying to be edgy and get ratings. It backfires all the time.
He’s not mean spirited, is the awful thing. He just has no sensitivity whatsoever – he’s socially inept on a grand scale.
I think he wants to be A Serious Journalist, but is stuck on low rent daytime TV instead. So makes an idiot of himself trying to be a late night hard-hitting news reporter.
I like that our journalists are so brutal to politicians. They need it, when they slither out of any other type of questioning. But it’s icky and vile to use that on anyone else. Let alone when it’s none of his damn business, and on such a private subject.
Madeley is an a$$hole, can’t stand him or his equally obnoxious wife. I cringe for the poor guests who have to endure being interviewed by these 2 as they are both quite bad at it.
Are husband and wife teams bountiful in UK breakfast tv? When I visited the UK I sometimes used to catch another husband and wife pair on TV in the mornings (Amon and Ruth?) and they seemed to be pretty fun. This is a different husband/wife team, right? I hope so – I thought the other duo had great chemistry (in the bits I saw).
Yes different pair although same program i think. Ruth is currently in Strictly Come Dancing I beleive
Eamon’s worse. He once talked to someone who had been raped on her way home and “quipped” bet you regret not getting that taxi
Some of the British interviewers are just so damn rude…I watched a news interview Hillary Clinton did over there and the guy was such a douche.
I swear some men get secondhand disgusting thrills from hearing this stuff…so different from the flashbacks and stomach churning I feel.
Some other men just lack any insight into the issue and can’t see how pressing a woman on television to talk about possible sexual assault is at minimum harmful and insensitive.
if another man or anyone for that manner asks why this behavior by Weinstein was able to go on without being stopped sooner, I’m going to scream. it’s called POWER. when I dated an abusive man and asked for his friends to step in and get him help, they were too afraid of his power to say a thing. no one wanted to be ‘that guy’ who went against the grain and confronted him. no one wanted to be blacklisted from the social group. it’s all about POWER. and it’s why people bury their heads and pretend they know nothing instead of acting with courage. that power also intimidates any woman into silence. the end.
I did post a #MeToo but at the same time I respect the choice of anyone who chooses not to, it is their story, their narrative and if they do not wish to share it, that is perfectly okay. Chenoweth should have been allowed the same courtesy. Not everyone is comfortable sharing something as personal as the stories behind a “Me Too” and that’s alright.
I did not post one. I can talk here, it’s safe. But I don’t talk in my real life, only sometimes to my husband. Talking here helps, so very much. But I am not there yet. I can’t even tell my husband what my mother wrote in the stupid ass card she sent to my daughter. I did cry though, so that helped release it. I am working very hard not to eat my feelings, just to let them come. It’s helps.
Everyone takes the time they need. I am sorry I can’t stand directly with those who are using that hashtag and speaking out, but i am standing in the way I know how.
So I feel very badly for Kristin. This is along the lines of “outing” people. It’s horrible, lacks empathy, and shows we still have a very long way to go.
Scarlett, thank you for posting a MeToo (hugs)
I’m sorry ArchieGoodwin (hugs) back! You will talk when you are ready, or maybe you never will, that is entirely your prerogative. To me, it happened when I was 9 and it’s been 35+ years, and am at a place where I can speak about it, the whole Weinstein thing has triggered a lot of stuff I keep hidden in deep, dark recesses of my mind, talking, tears and whiskey seem to help. Your story and your experience is important and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
You are absolutely right comparing it to “outing” someone, that’s what the interviewer did, extremely crass and thoughtless.
It makes me rage when people try to turn this whole thing into a purity test of “Well, if you haven’t said anything or if you haven’t posted #metoo, then you aren’t being supportive enough”. Your own personal experience with sexual abuse or harassment is just that – personal. It doesn’t magically become easier to open up about on social media because a light is being shone on it. Some of these experiences have been buried deep for a long time.
I’m glad that the message was put out immediately that no one is going to be pressured to be visible, and that others understand why some might still fly under the radar. That is incredibly important. Most victims have already been blamed for their abuse once already – they don’t need to go through it again.
And frankly, it isn’t like the climate in Hollywood is going to magically change overnight. Harvey Weinstein is a big fish and it is good to see him take a fall, but he is by no means the only one. You think that actors aren’t still afraid of a backlash for speaking out? Hollywood is all super woke right now, but pervasive atmospheres like that don’t change overnight. When people are used to operating from a position of unlimited power, they usually don’t like to give it up.
In short, screw this guy for trying to do this to her. I have to completely agree that he seemed to be giddy about trying to get her to divulge some personal trauma. Gross.
Thank you for your post!
Every time I read the questions, why the assaulted women did not press charges and even worse were guilty because they allowed the abuse to continue, I felt like hell.
I never pressed charges against my Ex after my lawyer told me, I would have to be prepared to have my whole life scrutinized and at the same time it would be very unlikely that he would be convivted. And I would have to live with the risk, that peolple would see me as a false accuser.
I am still too afraid to take part im #me´too under me real Name. I am scared of the comments, what I read at my friend pages was so horrible. And I am scared what my colleagues and team would say, as a women leading an all male team with mainly male colleagues.
And I feel like hell for going the “me, nothing to bad, nothing I could not handle” route and letting everyone else down.
You can’t pressure a story out. It’s too personal, who asks a question that amounts to “Did a man rape you? Care to share?”
Yes HW might have harassed her, he might have bullied her, he might have assaulted her, and/or she might have felt her career was on the line and played his game. But it’s her story to tell only if she’s willing and able.
Richard has always been an arrogant arse, who asks inappropriate questions when interviewing.
Judy was a bad interviewer as well, but less offensive. I remember her rolling her eyes and giving Richard a look of “what the hell?” when he was particularly bad, and I didn’t watch their shows regularly.
They retired from tv a few years ago, but Richard has been popping up again recently. Wish he would be gone permanently.
Questions along the lines of “You admitted you had a problem with alcohol. That must’ve taken a lot of bottle”. Regular people with regular jobs would get some kind of warning for not do their job properly. White male on TV? Say what you like. White male on TV who doesn’t hear a trolley full of bottles of alcohol clinking while going through the checkout and gets away with shoplifting? Richard Madeley.
Judy took the edge off him I think. I feel he’s not trying to offend but he’s just so weirdly oversharing, insensitive and inappropriate
This is horrible. She shouldn’t have to answer any of that, and when she said no comment, it should have been left at that.
What was this guy hoping? She’d say yes and burst into tears?
It’s her story to tell you idiot! This guy is a asshat.
She is such an amazing CLASS ACT! OKLAHOMA LADY! Born and raised and has that sassy Southern humor and charm most ladies in this region are known for! Don’t get mad, get happy! Handle situations lightly and with grace. This woman is a friend and champion to all in the theater, silver screen, and music industry. She supports everyone from same sex marriage to diversity and equal pay. Good job Kristin! Get it girl.
I’m with you @celebitchy, as a fellow former alcohol abuser I have regretful instances and it’s hard to come to terms with them as I’ve been blaming myself all these years. It was my fault for being drunk, putting myself in that position, etc. Its very tough to look back now and see that it wasn’t always my fault and I wish I’d stood up for myself more.
I’d like to echo ArchieGoodwin. I have literally told no one my story. and that’s because of exactly what Ang said. I can only share my story here because of the anonymity and safe environment I feel. My story occurred because I had FAR too much to drink at a Fraternity. Woke up in an attic room in the frat half dressed. I’ve lived with shame and self flagellation and self blame for 30 something years because of this. This movement is literally the first time I’ve been able to self reflect that I may NOT be to blame for this. And I’m experiencing some serious emotions and PTSD because of it. Not sure if it was better for me to keep it buried or not. This entire movement is affecting far more than “movements” ever have in the past. I’m filled with rage and indignation and helplessness all at the same time. Thanks for listening fellow commenters.
I was not your fault, metoo. It was not your fault.
It was not your fault, Aang. It was not your fault. Not even a tiny bit. Not at all.
I want to say it again,
no one owes anyone else their story.
Your healing is your own path, and the best way to help others is to take care of yourself first.
You do not need to post #metoo, you do not need to describe what happened. Yes, that can be powerful and healing for some, but that doesn’t mean you are at that point in your journey yet, and that is more than fine.
Thank you for your post. I want to share it but I can’t. It is too horrible and I want to empower others but not yet.
These weeks have been draining.
That guy was way out of line, but it also shows us that many people don’t really know how to address and handle sexual abuse. Let’s hope that all this scandal works to educate everyone as well.
Damn, she’s a classy lady. Chaos before order? Let’s hope. (Now I got Prince running through my head) I wouldn’t mind seeing Dan Schneider topple in a most humiliating way.
Ugh the British press is always the worst
Richard Madeley is a complete fucking arse.