Absolutely. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Brendan Fraser says the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which runs the Golden Globes, pressured him to downplay his allegation that its former president, Philip Berk, groped him in 2003. Magazines, Digital Ad Choices. In a new GQ profile titled What Ever Happened To Brendan Fraser?,the actor remembers being groped byPhilip Berk in the summer of 2003. It's unclear whether or not any other stars will follow suit and physically return their own Golden Globes. And he starts moving it around, Fraser claimed. What is unusual is a man publicly opening up about experiencing sexual harassment, which is one of the reasons Fraser's account is garnering so much attention. In the summer of 2003, then-president Philip Berk groped Brendan Fraser at the Beverly Hills Hotel. NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 14: Brendan Fraser attends AOL Build to discuss his role in 'The Affair' at AOL HQ on December 14, 2016 in New York City. And despite having several former and active members who are people of color, according to Variety, the organization hasn't had a Black member since 2002. His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. The organization drew widespread criticism for this year's slate of . ", Kourtney Kardashian Shut Down a Fan Who Asked If She's Pregnant and Ignited a Debate About Women's Bodies. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Actress Mira Sorvino, for instance, said recently that after being sexually harassed by disgraced former studio head Harvey Weinstein, she was relegated to "the fringes of the Miramax family"; director Peter Jackson even admitted that he blacklisted both Sorvino and actress Ashley Judd, who also has spoken out about being harassed by Weinstein, after Weinstein gave Jackson "false information" about the two actresses. Then he went home and told his wife. And he starts moving it around. That last bit is, of course, the trial balloon in what the HFPA hopes will be clearer skies now that it has passed a series of bylaws and other much-needed reforms. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock. In an interview with GQ published Thursday, Fraser said that he was groped in 2003 by Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organization that hosts the Golden Globes. And he starts moving it around. President Lorenzo Soria, who oversaw the organization that puts on the annual Golden Globe Awards, has died. "I felt ill," Fraser said. In an interview with GQ, Brendan Fraser alleged that Philip Berk, former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), groped him. The Time's Up organization, as well as numerous entertainers and PR firms, expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed reforms, stating that "the HFPA's list of recommendations largely contains no specifics [and] no commitments to real accountability or change,"writes The Hollywood Reporter. Have I stopped myself? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. He did have his reps ask the HFPA for a written apology, telling GQ that the HFPA agreed they would never allow Berk in a room with Fraser again. sexually assaulted him in 2003. . "), Letter aside, Fraser said, the experience "made me retreat. In an interview with GQ, he confessed, "His left hand reaches around, grabs my a** cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. Absolutely., Berk responded to Frasers story by telling GQ it is a total fabrication. He admitted to writing a letter to Fraser about the incident but said his apology admitted no wrongdoing.. ", The Shady Truth About The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Hollywood Foreign Press Association: A History. Active members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association vote for the Golden Globe Awards, which means that "the Globes are overseen by an extremely small number of people," considering that in comparison, the Academy Awards are voted on by over 9,000 people. Fraser's story is a reminder that while sexual misconduct is disproportionately experienced by women, it can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or sexuality. 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For many journalists, the HFPA has always had a "terrible reputation," and the news that it's a self-involved clique wasn't too surprising. Have I stopped myself? My apology admitted no wrongdoing, the usual If Ive done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended and I apologize, he told the magazine. I thought I was going to cry.. As the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network points out, men who have survived harassment or abuse may experience intense shame that they were not "strong enough" to fight off an attack; their sexuality may also be questioned, leading many men to stay silent. ", However, as the Los Angeles Times investigation notes, these payments may go beyond what is reasonable. Flaa's lawsuit alleged that the HFPA operated like a cartel and instituted a "culture of corruption," writes the Los Angeles Times, and actively barred qualified candidates such as herself. The allegation comes in a current GQ profile of Fraser titled What Ever Happened to Brendan Fraser?. ADVERTISEMENT Amid outcry, NBC says it will not air Golden Globes in 2022 By JAKE COYLE May 10, 2021 And the pattern of men in power hurting the careers of those they have harassed or assaulted is in no way unique to the entertainment industry. I felt like a little kid. But there also continues to be genuine bafflement about how things escalated to this point. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Send us a tip using our annonymous form. I became depressed. However, many are saying that these claimed reforms are a superficial band-aid and are nothing more than a few bullet points that vaguely gesture at reform. Brendan Fraser was sexually assaulted in 2003 by Phil Berk, the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization that hosts the Golden Globes. The Los Angeles Times reports that the email was sent to everyone in the HFPA, including its "members, its staff and the group's general counsel and chief operating officer." Absolutely.. The former "Mummy" star said that he panicked. / CBS News. Deadline reports that in response to the cancellation, Cruise sent his three Golden Globe trophies back to the HFPA headquarters. Fraser, for his part, told the magazine he decided not to go public with his story because he was afraid of "it becoming part of my narrative." Brendan Fraser, who stars in "The Whale," claims former HFPA President Philip Berk sexually assaulted him in 2003. Absolutely. Absolutely.". The HFPA said that it is investigating further details surrounding the incident. Philip Berk, 88, had been a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) for 44 years and its president for eight years. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Absolutely. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Out in the cold with the likes of Netflix, Amazon, WarnerMedia and other studios and networks, plus essentially boycotted by top flacks and hence their top-tier clients, the HFPAs new president plans to begin a charm offensive to convince Hollywood stakeholders that things trulyhave changed for the better at the organization. I felt like a little kid. And he starts moving it around, Fraser told GQ, adding that he felt overwhelmed with panic and fear. Brendan Fraser claims ex-Hollywood Foreign Press president groped him. She Was Just Found in Puerto Rico, Driver, Passenger Suffer Life-Threatening Injuries After Crash Shuts Down Lake Murray Boulevard in La Mesa, San Diego Lands on Top 20 List of Happiest Places to Live,' Other San Diego Cities on List. I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative, he told GQ. After Fraser spoke publicly about the incident in 2018, HFPA conducted an investigation into the incident. I felt ill. I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative. Write to Abigail Abrams at abigail.abrams@time.com. Brendan Fraser Says Lost Superman Role Would've Been 'Faustian Bargain' Anyway: 'I'm Not a One-Trick Pony' I was blaming myself and I was miserablebecause I was saying, This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel. That summer wore onand I cant remember what I went on to work on next.. "Maybe I am over-reacting in terms of what the instance was. These steps involve hiring a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant, mandatory member training for both sexual harassment and DEI, and the creation of new bylaws and membership/reaccreditation process. The actor claims that Philip Berk former president of the HFPA, the organization that hosts the Golden Globes inappropriately touched him in 2003. . Lorenzo Soria, the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association which runs the Golden Globe Awards died Friday at his Los Angeles home, a family member told Variety. (Reuters) Brendan Fraser claims he was groped in 2003 by Philip Berk, then. But when they first organized, they still weren't taken too seriously, and mostly all they did was "meet at various members' homes to share information." Have I wanted to many, many times? If you need help purchasing a product directly from Allure, go to our FAQ. 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association responded in a statement that reads: "The HFPA stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article. Terry Crews is suing the Hollywood agent he accused of groping him last year at an industry event. In an interview with GQ published Thursday, Fraser said that he was groped in 2003 by Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organization. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Have I wanted to many, many times? Fraser then said he removed Berks hand and immediately left the event. The actor immediately left the luncheon and went home to his wife, who he said he told about the interaction. He also said he did not care why Berk touched him. "I felt ill. Have I wanted to many, many times? Fighting to stay alive, the beleaguered Hollywood Foreign Press Association has elected a nearly 20-year veteran to lead the group into what may or may not be better days. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. However, he said the note did not admit anything. Since May, members have shown their commitment to creating a reimagined HFPA. The actor said he told his then-wife, Afton Smith, about the incident, but did not speak publicly about it until this week. Screenrant reports that WarnerMedia also joined the boycott and in their official press release, "called the HFPA out for a history of sexist, racist, and homophobic questions directed at actors and creatives at past press events.". "And he starts moving it around." All rights reserved. hollywood foreign press association Brendan Fraser nabs Golden Globe nomination despite vowing not to attend December 12, 2022 | 11:14am The 53-year-old has vowed to boycott the ceremony. We want to hear from you! Brendan Fraser was at the peak of his career when he was sexually abused by Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), as revealed in an interview published by GQ on Thursday. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. In response, entertainers have also stated that they will "refrain from any HFPA sanctioned events." The HFPA stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article, the associated said in an official statement. He rushed home and told his wife about the encounter, but was afraid to go public with the incident. This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.. All Rights Reserved. I felt ill. And as soon as the HFPA had done the bare minimum, they were back in NBC's good graces. This came after the 2021 Golden Globe Awards, which notably snubbed Black-led projects such as "Judas and the Black Messiah," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," and "One Night in Miami." It made me feel reclusive." An investigation by the Los Angeles Times in February 2021 revealed that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association pays out almost $2 million to its members annually. Why didn't Fraser go public? UPDATED with HFPA statement, 1, 52 PM: The Hollywood Foreign Press Associated has issued an official statement about to today's GQ story in which Brendan Fraser said the group considered his. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. Related Fraser said that the alleged assault left him feeling "ill," "like a little kid," and "like someone had thrown invisible paint on me." I felt ill. This also wasn't the first lawsuit alleging such behavior. As a member of the HFPA since 1989, he previously served as president in 2003-05. Berk was the president of theHollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization behind the Golden Globe Awards. 7 Things to Know About This Abuse Tactic. June 7, 2018 / 2:27 PM Do I feel like I need to say something? This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.. According to the BBC, Berk "forwarded it as a point of information," though after seeing the consequences of his actions Berk later said that he "regretted sending the email.". But his career has noticeably waned over the past decade, leading journalists and commenters to ask multiple variations of the same question: What happened to Brendan Fraser?