More than 50 women have made allegations against Harvey Weinstein, with the number continuing to grow daily. Among his accusers are well-known actors who were still establishing their careers when the alleged incidents occurred. The allegations range from sexual harassment to rape, and have been detailed in interviews with the New Yorker and the New York Times.
Italian actor Asia Argento told the New Yorker that Weinstein raped her when she was 21. She said she was invited to what she thought was a party in his hotel room near Cannes, but found herself alone with him. He changed into a bathrobe and asked for a massage, then forcibly performed oral sex on her. She described the experience as a 'horrible trauma' and said she later had consensual sexual relations with him because she believed he would ruin her career if she did not comply.
British actor Lysette Anthony, currently appearing in Hollyoaks, told the Sunday Times that Weinstein raped her in her London home in the late 1980s. She described how he pushed her inside and assaulted her, leaving her feeling 'disgusted and embarrassed'. She has reported the allegation to police, who are investigating. Lucia Evans, then an aspiring actor, told the New Yorker that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him at a Miramax office in 2004, saying: 'He’s a big guy, he overpowered me.'
Gwyneth Paltrow said Weinstein suggested she give him a massage when she was 22, and she refused. Angelina Jolie said he made unwanted advances in a hotel room. Another anonymous actor claimed Weinstein raped her, saying she felt 'horror, disbelief and shame'. Mira Sorvino recalled him trying to get physical at a film festival, and Rosanna Arquette said he grabbed her hand and pulled it towards his erect penis before she told him she would never do that.
