Although s*xual harassment in Hollywood is certainly nothing new, it is safe to say that the issue has now, and rightfully so, taken center stage. For instance, James Franco’s career began to suffer in 2014 after allegations of s*xual misconduct surfaced. However, veteran actress, Sharon Stone showed her unwavering commitment to justice by publicly supporting the Marvel star in the face of allegations of s*xual misconduct.
The 45-year-old actor has been defended by Stone, who called the allegations of s*xual harassment against him “appalling”.
Stone, who was said to have supported the #MeToo movement’s efforts to put an end to Hollywood’s longstanding practice of protecting powerful men, also disagreed with what she saw as the unfair persecution of some male celebrities without “due process“.
It has been almost five years since allegations of s*xual misconduct surfaced that James Franco had acted in an improper manner toward a number of women in his former acting school.
Sharon Stone Defended James Franco Amid Allegations
Hollywood might seem to be all glitz and glam on the outside, but the business has had its share of scandals over the years. Following the revelation of James Franco’s alleged s*xual harassment, the seasoned actress, Sharon Stone defended her disgraced The Disaster Artist director.
The 65-year-old Oscar nominee said in 2018, on the WTF with Marc Maron Podcast:
“I am absolutely appalled by this. Now all of a sudden he’s a bad guy? I worked with him, I know him. … He’s a kind friend, lovely professional.”
The mother of three, who has worked in Hollywood for more than 40 years, continued by claiming that she has “seen it all” in terms of men and that she is a supporter of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements.
She merely believed that those who had been accused should receive fair treatment through the regular judicial system.
“I don’t feel like these trials without due process are entirely appropriate. I feel that it’s appropriate that people have to take responsibility for the actions, but I do feel that some due process is in order.”
‘Some Men Are Just Incredibly Stupid’
Sharon Stone, whose debut feature was Woody Allen’s 1980, Stardust Memories, went on to say that she had also confronted the men who she claimed had previously harassed her. Although she did not give their names, she called them “incredibly stupid”:
“Some men are just incredibly stupid. You go out with them, they bring you home for a good-night kiss and they grab your hand and put it on their p*nis. A 50-year-old man. I don’t think they’re trying to s*xually harass me, I think they’re just incredibly stupid and awkward. Like, really? That’s your move? Please don’t ever call me again, because you’re too stupid to date. I don’t think I should ruin your whole life over that but I just think you’re incredibly stupid.”
For the unversed, when James Franco wore a Time’s Up pin to the 2018 Golden Globe Awards, he first entered this infamous conversation about alleged s*xual harassment. Five women accused the actor of s*xual exploitation in a Los Angeles Times article that appeared a few days later.
They claimed he had abused his position as a mentor and acting teacher. Franco’s first in-depth interview following the alleged s*xual misconduct was given in December 2021.
In a podcast interview with Jess Cagle, he acknowledged that he “did sleep with students, and that was wrong.”
“So it wasn’t a ‘master plan’ on my part. But yes, there were certain instances where, you know what, I was in a consensual thing with a student and I shouldn’t have been.”
There were lawsuits and a $2 million s*xual misconduct settlement in 2021 after Franco admitted to having s*x with several of his students while he was running an acting school.
Source- WTF with Marc Maron Podcast; PEOPLE
