Earlier this week, 'Star Trek: Discovery' actor, Anthony Rapp revealed to Buzzfeed News how he'd been sexually assaulted as a 14 year old, by Kevin Spacey (The Usual Suspects), who was 26 at the time. The incident is thought to have taken place in 1986, at a time where both actors were well acquainted due to their roles in various Broadway shows. Neither had been officially discovered yet.
According to Rapp, the incident took place at Spacey's apartment when the latter invited him over for a party. Being the only minor present, Rapp found himself watching TV alone in one of the bedrooms, instead of mingling with the other guests. Once the party had ended, unbeknownst to Rapp, Spacey entered the very same bedroom occupied by the minor and "sort of stood in the doorway, kind of swaying", blocking his exit. "My impression...was that he was drunk", continued the actor. Rapp, still vividly remembers how Spacey "picked me [him] up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold... and then he lays down on top of me [him]".
Fortunately, an extremely underage Rapp managed to get away without the situation escalating further; "the older I get, and the more I know, I feel very fortunate that something worse didn't happen".
Rapp's decision to speak out comes after the Harvey Weinstein situation and the barrage of accusations of sexual abuse against the Hollywood director. "The only way these things can continue is if there's no attention being paid to it, if it's getting forgotten," is the message Rapp, now 46, heeded and took the opportunity to reiterate during his interview.
Kevin Spacey has since responded via his personal Twitter account:
? Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) 30 de octubre de 2017
The, now 58 year old, actor's response has been met with wide criticism for attempting to excuse himself from the accusation by using his sexuality in his defence. Spacey's sexuality has been in question for years, yet the actor has always refused to speak about it, so the decision to come out now seems more like a forced confession than a story of sexual liberation. Some of the star's followers have even accused him of taking attention away from Rapp's story by attempting to conjure up another.
? Zachary Quinto (@ZacharyQuinto) 30 de octubre de 2017
No no no no no! You do not get to "choose" to hide under the rainbow! Kick rocks! https://t.co/xJDGAxDjxz
? Official Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) 30 de octubre de 2017
Kevin Spacey has just invented something that has never existed before: a bad time to come out.
? billy eichner (@billyeichner) 30 de octubre de 2017
Kevin Spacey exploiting coming out as a gay man to try to distract from his assault on a 14-year-old is repugnant https://t.co/4yaYljlReX https://t.co/UUXOwZZaLf
? Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) 30 de octubre de 2017
Since his response, Spacey has also come under fire from GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) boss, Sarah Kate Ellis, who condemned the actor in a series of tweets.
Coming out stories should not be used to deflect from allegations of sexual assault.
? Sarah Kate Ellis (@sarahkateellis) 30 de octubre de 2017
The media and public should not gloss over that.
? Sarah Kate Ellis (@sarahkateellis) October 30, 2017
This isn't the first time accusations have been made against the actor, for Seth MacFarlene, the creator of 'Family Guy' poked a jab at Spacey in an episode which is now twelve years old!
Family Guy with the Kevin Spacey reference twelve years ago... creepy. pic.twitter.com/bVbEOLlAwz
? Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) 30 de octubre de 2017
Interestingly enough, the scriptwriter also poked fun at Harvey Weinstein during the 2013 Oscar's. In this video clip, it's hard to see whether MacFarlene mentioned the director in jest or not. At the time anyway, the comment was met with laughter, however, MacFarlene has recently elaborated on the incident in a post on his twitter.
In an interview with Radio 4, Victoria Featherstone, the artistic director at the Royal Court Theatre, was asked if she knew anything of Spacey's shady character from the time he worked as artistic director at the Old Vic in London. Featherstone responded that she's "been aware of many stories of many people over a lot of years", so the Spacey scandal might very well be another case of everyone knew, but no one said anything. To reiterate Anthony Rapp, "the oxygen in the room is there for us to really do something about it," now.
So what happens now?
Following the bad publicity surrounding Kevin Spacey, fans called for Netflix to fire the actor, who plays Francis Underwood on 'House of Cards', however, it appears as though the streaming service has gone one step further.
Your move, Netflix. Could the streaming service be forced to turn its back on the man who put the company on the map with House of Cards? https://t.co/AMwsKqhlx4
? Andrew Wallenstein (@awallenstein) October 30, 2017
Beau Willimon, creator of 'House of Cards' showed solidarity with Anthony Rapp in a tweet, and not long after, Netflix announced they were cancelling the veteran show.
The series will wrap up after its sixth season, which will air sometime next year. Protagonists, Spacey and Robin Wright have already finished filming for the upcoming and final season.
The decision to cancel the series has conveniently coincided with the scandal, and according to Deadline, the two aren't linked. Apparently, Netflix were considering bringing the show to an end earlier this year, although important cast members were only made aware of the decision as late as yesterday.
In other news, the Television Academy has decided to revoke Spacey of the Emmy, which the actor was due to receive this year.
