After comparing the swarm of paparazzi around her to a rape and causing outrage from fans and rape victims' advocacy organizations, the actress apologizes, saying 'I really made an enormous mistake.'
- Jun 5, 2010
AceShowbiz - Kristen Stewart has apologized for her bad choice of word by comparing the constant hounding by the paparazzi which follows her fame to being raped. The 20-year-old actress, who has been in Korea to promote her new movie "The Twilight Saga's Eclipse" told People, "I really made an enormous mistake - clearly and obviously."
"And I'm really sorry about my choice of words. I've made stupid remarks before, and I've always reasoned, 'Whatever. They can think what they want'," Kristen added. She further noted, " 'Violated' definitely would have been a better way of expressing the thought."
Kristen's offending statement has made fans and spokespeople for rape victims' advocacy organizations exploded in outrage. Harriet Lessel, the executive director of the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault told Radar Online, on May 2, "Clearly that kind of violation is not the same as rape."
"It's just not the same... understand that Kristen Stewart was expressing that she feels violated," Harriet continued. "Sure violation is a form of sexual assault, but it's the most serious and the most personal. It's clearly a poor choice of words."
Ironically, Kristen herself has been close to the issue of violence against women since playing a rape victim in 2004 film "Speak". She has done public service announcements for the advocacy group RAINN [Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network] and for Security on Campus Public Service Announcement.
During the interview, Kristen explained, "People thinking that I'm insensitive about this subject rips my guts out. I made a big mistake." Meanwhile, RAINN's spokeswoman responded to the actress' regret, saying "We appreciate Kristen Stewart's sincere apology regarding these comments."
The spokeswoman continued, "RAINN looks forward to continuing our work with Kristen to raise awareness and ensure that all victims are connected with the care they deserve through the National Sexual Assault Hotlines."
