Kevin Spacey Comes Out After Anthony Rapp Accuses Him of Assault
In the wake of multiple accusations of sexual harassment and assault against actors and industry heads, begun by the bombshell reports against Harvey Weinstein weeks ago, Star Trek: Discovery star Anthony Rapp revealed his own story of harassment on Sunday night. In it, he claims that House of Cards star Kevin Spacey attempted to assault him while they were both acting in different shows on Broadway decades ago. In response, Spacey posted a note of apology on Twitter, and came out as gay.
In Rapp’s story, which he told to Buzzfeed, he said Spacey invited him to a party at his apartment while both actors were starring in Broadway shows (Rapp in Precious Sons and Spacey in Long Day's Journey Into Night). At the time, Rapp was 14, and Spacey was 26. According to his story, Rapp ended up being the last one left after the party ended, and Spacey, appearing drunk, picked him up, carried him to his bed, and laid down on top of him.
“He was trying to seduce me,” Rapp said. “I don't know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually.” Rapp said he remembered Spacey “tightening his arms” as he attempted to get away. After a moment had passed, Rapp was able to squirm away, stand up, and leave.
After the report came out, Spacey posted an apology on Twitter, saying that he didn’t remember the encounter but that he was “beyond horrified” and “sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years.” He then came out as gay, explaining that “I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behavior”:
Spacey’s response was widely criticized on social media, with many accusing him of trying to distract from Rapp’s story by coming out.
In a discussion with BBC Radio 4’s Today (via The Independent) about sexual misconduct, Royal Court Theatre artistic director Victoria Featherstone said that industry people had had “concerns” about Spacey for years: “I think that many people in the theater and in the creative industries have been aware of many stories of many people over a lot of years, and Kevin Spacey would be one of the people that people have had concerns about, yes.”
Rapp posted a short thread on his Twitter Sunday night, saying that everything he wanted to discuss was in the Buzzfeed article and he has nothing further to say.