UPDATED, 9:19 PM: Just hours after Anthony Rapp came forward with his story about Kevin Spacey‘s alleged sexual advances towards him 31 years ago, the House Of Cards star took to Twitter tonight to respond. After apologizing to the Star Trek Discovery actor and saying he has a lot of respect and admiration for him as an actor, Spacey goes on to say he was “horrified” by the story and does not remember the encounter.
In remarks of his own on social media after Spacey spoke out, Rapp did not accept or reject the Oscar winner’s apology.
Shifting focus, Spacey’s Twitter post also goes on to address rumors about the actor’s personal life. “As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women,” he said. “I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose to live as a gay man.”
Related Stories
Read Spacey’s entire tweet below:
Watch on Deadline
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) October 30, 2017
Meanwhile, reaction to Spacey’s statement was swift on Twitter
Nope to Kevin Spacey's statement. Nope. There's no amount of drunk or closeted that excuses or explains away assaulting a 14-year-old child.
— Dan Savage (@fakedansavage) October 30, 2017
"Oh and I'm gay" = "But the uranium"
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) October 30, 2017
Just wanna be really fucking clear that being gay has nothing to do w/ going after underage folks
— Cameron Esposito (@cameronesposito) October 30, 2017
In a series of tweets after Spacey’s apology, Rapp tonight did not address the response but he praised the “the many courageous women and men who have been speaking out” about sexual harassment in recent weeks. While also not mentioning the Harvey Weinstein scandal directly on social media, that seems a clear implication in Rapp’s trio of tweets. Take a look for yourself:
I came forward with my story, standing on the shoulders of the many courageous women and men who have been speaking out 1/3
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) October 30, 2017
to shine a light and hopefully make a difference, as they have done for me. 2/3
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) October 30, 2017
Everything I wanted to say about my experience is in that article, and I have no further comment about it at this time.
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) October 30, 2017
EARLIER, 8 PM: Star Trek: Discovery actor and Broadway star Anthony Rapp has come forward with claims that Kevin Spacey made sexual advances towards him when he was 14 years old.
Spacey allegedly made a pass at Rapp in 1986 when the two were both working on Broadway in a revival of Long Day’s Journey Into Night and Precious Sons respectively, according to an interview he did with BuzzFeed News. At the time, Spacey was 26-years-old.
Rapp said that the advances happened after a party at Spacey’s apartment. Spacey picked Rapp up and put him on the bed, climbing on top of him. Rapp said that this was an attempt for Spacey to “seduce” him. “I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually,” he adds.
“My stomach churns,” said Rapp. “I still to this day can’t wrap my head around so many aspects of it. It’s just deeply confusing to me.”
Rapp’s accusations come after the floodgates of sexual harassment and abuse have opened following the Harvey Weinstein scandal. The harassment and abuse goes beyond the acts of the misconduct of men towards women. The accusations include the predation of younger men. Former APA agent Tyler Grasham has been accused by multiple actors of sexual assault including most recently actor Tyler Cornell who filed a police report accusing him of sodomy. As a result, actor Cameron Boyce fired Grasham as his agent and Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard quit the agency.
The long list of allegations prompted Rapp to come forward “not to simply air a grievance.” Rapp said he wants to shine another light on this behavior that has been allowed. “I’m feeling really awake to the moment that we’re living in, and I’m hopeful that this can make a difference,” he adds.
Deadline’s Dominic Patten contributed to this report
Two words- Corey Feldman.
It’s a shame that this will never end I’m going on 68 years old and I’ve heard the story over and over again it’s so sad that it just won’t ever end I have to believe that sincerely but it does give the gay folks a bit name for the fact that Kevin Spacey is gay and he molested a boy so which that makes it a shame and I’m straight to but I’m a humanitarian I believe in what’s right is right what’s wrong is wrong God bless us all aloha
it’s alleged and there was no molestation.
Yes, this is so horrible to hear well look at Marilyn Monroe they made her a prostitute to be an actress with drugs and pills and having to go out with men sexually advances that she had to do perform to be an actress it’s a cycle ugly disgusting cycle and we must speak out the young the old the middle age we all need to speak out and speak the truth no more fear no more no more no more God bless us all just saying tired of being abused tired of fear of all the abuse is between the young the Middle Ages and the old it’s got to stop Scott to end sexual harassment between an elder in the child is disgusting thing it’s pathetic between a middle-aged is pathetic with the old it is not okay say no more kick ass and get away God bless you Aloha from Maui
I don´t believe a job or better yet, someone should be fired for an “allegation” of an encounter that took place so long ago. Remember, the allegation took place in another time and at another place. Yes, this is not acceptable behavior, if it is true. You must focus on the here and now, Spacey is a great actor doing his job. What Spacey does outside of his job should not cause him to loose his job. Plus the rest of the cast and the show´s fans are penalized. Honestly, I believe that everyone, at some point in their lives has been assaulted, propositioned, or god forbid forced to do sexual acts by predators who have no limits or respect for others. But to cut the show off on its final season based on allegations is just plain sad and stupid.
He didn’t say he liked kids. There is a big difference between gay and pedophile. I married one and they hide it really well. It is sick and the most horrible act in the world. No excuse is acceptable. Shame on anyone blaming the victim.