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Actress Apologizes For Protecting Weinstein’s Behavior

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Actress Minka Kelly apologized for staying silent, despite previously knowing about Harvey Weinstein’s behavior.

Kelly claims she was not surprised to hear about Weinstein’s alleged sexual assaults on women, following her own experience where she turned down his sexual advances and agreed to stay mute about his behavior, she posted on Instagram Friday.

Kelly had met Weinstein at a hotel restaurant after declining to meet in his hotel room. He started making sexual advances when Weinstein asked his assistant to “excuse us.”

Weinstein then said to Kelly, “I know you were feeling what I was feeling when we met the other night” and then asking her to be his girlfriend, or “We could just keep this professional.”

Kelly told him she was flattered, but would like to “keep things professional.”

“Fine. I trust you won’t tell anyone about this,” she claims Weinstein said.

“I’m sorry for obliging his orders to be complicit in protecting his behavior, which he obviously knew was wrong or he wouldn’t have asked me not to tell anyone in the first place,” Kelly posted on Instagram. “For making him feel ok about the gross things he was saying and that I felt my only route was to say I was flattered. For not insisting that my reps never allow anyone to take a meeting in a hotel room (with him or anyone else), because I honestly don’t know what might have happened if I’d just showed up as originally scheduled.”

I met Harvey at an industry party. The following day, my agent said he wanted to see me for a general meeting. The location was set for his hotel room. I wasn’t comfortable with going to his room & said so. The following day, we sat down with an assistant in the hotel restaurant. He bullshit me for 5 minutes re: movies he could put me in, then asked the assistant to excuse us. As she walked away, he said, “I know you were feeling what I was feeling when we met the other night” and then regaled me with offers of a lavish life filled with trips around the world on private planes etc. IF I would be his girlfriend. Or, “We could just keep this professional.” All I knew was not to offend this very powerful man and to get out of the situation as quickly as possible. I told him while flattered, I’d like to keep things professional. He said “Fine. I trust you won’t tell anyone about this.” I said “Of course not. Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me,” – the only way I could think to shut it down gracefully and excuse myself. I immediately told my agent what happened. We marveled at his audacity, reinforced my instinct not to offend him & laughed at how glad I was to get out of there. Neither of us were that surprised as this wasn’t far off from the day-to-day bullshit of being an actress. I’m sorry for obliging his orders to be complicit in protecting his behavior, which he obviously knew was wrong or he wouldn’t have asked me not to tell anyone in the first place. For making him feel ok about the gross things he was saying and that I felt my only route was to say I was flattered. For not insisting that my reps never allow anyone to take a meeting in a hotel room (with him or anyone else), because I honestly don’t know what might have happened if I’d just showed up as originally scheduled. I am appalled for all the women being told these occurrences are in any way their fault. No more Harvey Weinstein in Hollywood does not solve the problem but maybe the more voices sharing their stories and adding support to the countless women and men who have suffered through abuse of power, the less it will be tolerated.

A post shared by Minka Kelly (@minkakelly) on Oct 13, 2017 at 8:03am PDT

Kelly, a strong feminist supporter, shared a picture in March on Instagram with the caption, “I am so proud to be a woman.”

Sending all my love to all you beautiful, courageous, strong, powerful, and unified women (and men!) marching today! I’ll be stuck on a plane for 11 hours or else I’d be right there with you. In my heart and in spirit I am marching right alongside you so that we can all live safely and equally together. Nothing delights me more than people who have each other’s backs and who are not afraid to fight for what’s right. I am so proud to be a woman. Thank you for making these beautiful sweaters, @rp1313 I’m right there with you & @mandymooremm

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