Updated Oct. 13, 2017, 7 a.m. PT: Jason Momoa has issued a statement apologizing for the brutal rape joke he made at a 2011 Comic-Con, saying he has a “heavy heart” after a video of the joke started circulating online Thursday.
“I awoke in Australia to the justified reactions by many people to a distasteful joke I made years ago in Hall H for which I am sorry,” Momoa wrote. “I am still severely disappointed in myself at the insensitivity of my remarks that day. I know my sincerest apology now won’t take away those hurtful words. Rape and sexual harassment can reach anyone and I have seen first hand its painful torment among members of my own family and friends. I made a truly tasteless comment. It is unacceptable and I sincerely apologize with a heavy heart for the words I said.”
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Momoa is just the latest in a series of powerful Hollywood men to face repercussions for widespread sexual harassment and assault that has been revealed since TheNew York Times published an exposé last week detailing decades of allegations against mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Original story:
Harvey Weinstein actually might have done something great for society: He put rape culture front and center in the national conversation. Weinstein has been fired, left by his wife and utterly disgraced for decades of mistreating women. Ben Affleck has been forced to apologize for groping Hilarie Burton on live TV. No actor’s problematic behavior is safe, no matter how powerful or popular he may be.
More:All The Celebrities Who Have Accused Harvey Weinstein of Sexual Misconduct — So Far
Next up? Jason Momoa. An old clip just surfaced of the Game of Thrones actor making a brutal rape joke during a 2011 GoT panel at a Comic-Con, and the internet is not having it.
https://twitter.com/peeanofreek/status/918331118906236929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“As far as sci-fi and fantasy go as a genre there is so many things you can do… like rape beautiful women,” he says in the clip. His co-stars bury their heads in their hands, clearly embarrassed that he would say something like that. The audience, however, roars with laughter, and it should be noted that the fact that so many people think joking about rape is that hilarious is maybe a factor in why so many women just don’t come forward when they’re abused. You know, because people react by laughing their asses off. Anyway.
More:Matt Damon Denies Having Any Knowledge of Harvey Weinstein’s Misconduct
Now, Momoa is getting dragged, and dragged hard, by Twitter, and TBH, he deserves it. This may be an old clip, but that kind of talk is so unacceptable. Thank you, Harvey Weinstein, for making us all see that (file this under “things I never thought I’d say in 2017”).
https://twitter.com/wokeluisa/status/918545837067767809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/Cellshock7/status/918490540034920449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
More: James Van Der Beek Bravely Comes Forward With His Story of Sexual Assault
Just another reminder of how pervasive sexual harassment is in Hollywood. It took six years for Momoa to see any real consequences for making that joke. But it’s happening. Who’s next?
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