The 14-year-old actor parts ways with Agency of the Performing Arts (APA) which employs his former agent Tyler Grasham.
- Oct 21, 2017
AceShowbiz - "Stranger Things" actor Finn Wolfhard, 14, has left Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) and fired its agent Tyler Grasham. The decision was made after Grasham was accused of sexually assaulting young male aspiring actors.
Actor-turned-filmmaker Blaise Godbe Lipman whose acting credits include "The Office", "Weeds", "CSI: NY" and "Hawaii 5-0" was among Grasham's alleged victims. In response to Alyssa Milano's "#MeToo" social media movement, he shared earlier this week on Facebook his own story with sexual assault.
Without naming his abuser, Lipman wrote, "We had a 'business' lunch to discuss potential [representation]. He ordered me a drink. I said I was 17. He said don't be rude, this is business, this is how things are done. I didn't know better. He got me drunk, etc etc etc. SUCH A TIRED CLICHE. ... He's still at APA representing tons of young talent, using a position of power to coerce young boys. Like [Harvey] Weinstein, everyone knows."
After his post, Lipman was "poked" by Grasham on Facebook. "It was the tipping point" that made Lipman decide to expose the agent. "Was his poke passive agressive? An abuser making himself known, a quiet threat? An admission of guilt with a smirky, 'just try me' ? I don't know and I don't care. It felt gross," Lipman wrote in his second message.
"The 'poke' reminded me about Tyler's harassment after the ordeal," he continued. "He told me I'd never work in this biz. He'd have his friends drunklenly call me and berate me. I didn't do anything at the time. I was young and desperately wanted acceptance within my industry. His threats felt very real. Although my initial reaction yesterday and today was to not make this about me, there's no better time. Tyler Grasham is still working at APA, where's his been representing children and teenagers for the last ten years since this happened."
Following the sexual assault allegations, the agency stated, "APA takes these allegations extremely seriously and is investigating this matter." Tyler Grasham is currently on a leave from the company. Finn Wolfhard has yet to sign with a new agency.
