UPDATE Oct. 30, 4:29 p.m.: Netflix will end “House of Cards,” the streaming TV show in which Kevin Spacey stars, following its sixth season, according to numerous reports. The final season is currently in production. The announcement comes just after Spacey failed to deny that he assaulted 14-year-old Anthony Rapp in 1986.
“Media Rights Capital and Netflix are deeply troubled by last night’s news concerning Kevin Spacey. In response to last night’s revelations, executives from both of our companies arrived in Baltimore this afternoon to meet with our cast and crew to ensure that they continue to feel safe and supported. As previously scheduled, Kevin Spacey is not working on set at this time,” Netflix said in a statement following Rapp’s allegations.
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Original story:
I’m sorry, but I don’t remember. I was drunk. I am gay. That’s essentially how Kevin Spacey responded to allegations he assaulted a 14-year-old actor at a party in the ’80s.
Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making unwanted sexual advances on him when Rapp was 14, BuzzFeed reported Sunday. Spacey responded by apologizing over Twitter, but caveated the statement by saying it was most likely “drunken behavior” but that he’d like to take this opportunity to come out as gay.
Both actors circled the world of Broadway in 1986. Rapp, who was a minor at the time, said Spacey invited him to a party he was hosting at an apartment one night. Rapp alleged that at the end of the night, Spacey stood in the doorway “kind of swaying,” picked him up “like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold,” then proceeded to place him down on the bed and lie on top of him.
“He was trying to seduce me,” Rapp told BuzzFeed in an interview. “I don’t know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually.”
In response to the report, Spacey tweeted that he was “beyond horrified to hear this story,” yet said “I honestly do not remember the encounter.”
Spacey also decided to reveal his sexuality — long the topic of public rumor— as part of the apology.
“This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life. I know that there are other stories out there about me and that some have been fueled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy,” Spacey wrote. “I now choose to live as a gay man.”
Spacey was quickly criticized on social media for blaming his behavior on alcohol, and choosing this moment to expose his sexuality.
Rose McGowan tweeted “Bye bye, Spacey goodbye, it’s your turn to cry, that’s why we’ve gotta say goodbye. #ROSEARMY”
Others slammed Spacey for conflating sexuality and sexual assault on a minor.
Rapp said he had been inspired to publicly allege sexual assault against Spacey because of the Harvey Weinstein scandal where dozens of women revealed stories of sexual harassment by the media mogul.