Spokesperson for CNN confirms the news in a statement, saying, 'CNN will discontinue airing past episodes of 'Parts Unknown' that included her, until further notice.'
- September 3, 2018
AceShowbiz - CNN bosses are pulling footage of actress Asia Argento from her late boyfriend's travel show, "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown", following allegations she sexually assaulted a former 17-year-old co-star.
The Italian star and outspoken #MeToo activist, who was dating Bourdain at the time of his suicide earlier this year, appeared in two episodes of the show in Rome and Southern Italy, and she directed another in Hong Kong.
All three have been removed from CNN's streaming service, CNN Go.
"In light of the recent news reports about Asia Argento, CNN will discontinue airing past episodes of 'Parts Unknown' that included her, until further notice," a CNN spokesperson told Buzzfeed News on Saturday, August 01.
Argento has also been dropped as a judge from the upcoming 12th season of talent show "X Factor" Italy, amid the scandal.
She has been accused of paying former child star Jimmy Bennett hundreds of thousands in hush money after he accused her of sexually assaulting him in a hotel room five years ago, when he was 17.
The actress has denied the allegations, but acknowledged the payment, claiming Bourdain insisted in handing over cash to Bennett to stop him harassing his girlfriend.
Following her public denial, text messages supporting Bennett's claims and photographs of him in bed with a topless Argento were leaked to the media.
CNN bosses chose to air the remaining "Parts Unknown" episodes Bourdain had filmed following his death. The former chef was working on an show in Strasbourg, France when he passed away in June.
