The disgraced movie honcho reportedly resorts to threats to make actresses wear Georgina Chapman's fashion brand at red carpet events.
- Oct 14, 2017
AceShowbiz - Harvey Weinstein did not just sexually harass women. He threatened them to help promote his wife Georgina Chapman's fashion line. The disgraced movie honcho reportedly forced actresses Sienna Miller and Felicity Huffman to wear Chapman's brand Marchesa.
Miller, who starred in Weinstein's 2006 drama "Factory Girl", had to wear the fashion label at the Golden Globe Awards. The actress sat with the producer and his designer wife at the star-studded awards show, and "he would be very upset if she didn't wear Marchesa."
"He was the mastermind behind Marchesa - orchestrating deals and using his influence in terms of the celebrity connections for her on behalf of the brand," a publicist told The Hollywood Reporter, adding that Chapman knew about his "bad behavior" but chose to turn blind a blind eye because "they both benefited from the relationship."
The insider also claimed that Weinstein threatened to stop promoting Huffman's 2015 Oscar-nominated movie "Transamerica" unless the "Desperate Housewives" alum agreed to wear Marchesa on the red carpet. "Yeah, it's true," she confirmed the rumor to TooFab when attending the Eva Longoria Foundation Gala in Los Angeles.
Designer Kevin Hall who worked with the actress on numerous occasion said in an email to The Hollywood Reporter, "I was disappointed when she told me that she could not wear my gown for her nomination for Transamerica because the 'godfather' said she had to wear 'his girlfriend's collection.' "
In the wake of Weinstein's scandal, Miller wrote on Instagram, "Having worked many times with the Weinstein Company, I feel compelled to comment on the horrendous allegations that have come to light over the past few days. I was fortunate to never have been subjected to sexual harassment or advances by Harvey Weinstein, but I stand in absolute solidarity with those who were."
Georgina Chapman dumped Harvey Weinstein after he fell from his grace. "My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions. I have chosen to leave my husband," she said. "Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time."
Rumor has it, Weinstein's misconduct was a public secret in Hollywood. However, Matt Damon denied it, "I did five or six movies with Harvey. I never saw this. I think a lot of actors have come out and said, everybody's saying we all knew. That's not true. This type of predation happens behind closed doors, and out of public view."
Many Hollywood stars including Ben Affleck also suggested that they knew nothing about the harassment until it was exposed by the media. Both Damon and Affleck were slammed by Rose McGowan, one of the actresses who fell victim to Weinstein. To the former, she tweeted, "Hey @mattdamon what's it like to be a spineless profiteer who stays silent?" To the latter, she wrote, " 'GODD***IT! I TOLD HIM TO STOP DOING THAT' you said that to my face. The press conf I was made to go to after assault. You lie. Ben Affleck f**k off."
Back at the 2013 Oscars when Seth MacFarlane read nominees for Best Supporting Actress with Emma Stone, he jokingly said, "Congratulations, you five ladies no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein."
The actor/comedian recently explained the story behind his joke, "In 2011, my friend and colleague Jessica Barth, with whom I worked on the Ted films, confided in me regarding her encounter with Harvey Weinstein and his attempted advances. She has since courageously come forward to speak out. It was with this account in mind that, when I hosted the Oscars in 2013, I couldn't resist the opportunity to take a hard swing in his direction. Make no mistake, this came from a place of loathing and anger. There is nothing more abhorrent and indefensible than abuse of power such as this."
