The Buzz Around Sexual Harassment in Hollywood
In recent times, the entire nation, particularly Hollywood, has been abuzz with discussions about sexual harassment and abuse, some of which allegedly occurred almost 50 years ago. While it’s a horrific issue that needs to be addressed, it seems that the situation is escalating to the point where talented individuals like Meryl Streep are being vilified for allegedly just knowing about these incidents. Is this just a political ploy, or is there more to it?
Zelda Perkins: Former Assistant to Harvey Weinstein
Amidst the chaos, it’s a positive development that individuals are feeling empowered to speak out about these issues. One such person is Zelda Perkins, the former assistant to movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. Perkins, who worked for Weinstein in the 1990s, resigned when one of her colleagues accused him of attempted rape, which he denied.
The Confidentiality Agreement
In 1998, Perkins was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement in exchange for $168k. This settlement aimed to prevent her from disclosing any facts about the alleged sexual assault. Now, she has broken that confidentiality agreement by detailing everything that happened and expressing how difficult it has been to keep quiet about it for the last 20 years. She described Weinstein’s inappropriate behavior and need for domination, as well as the trauma she experienced after confronting him about the rape claim.
Five Things You Didn’t Know About Zelda Perkins
While we know quite a bit about Zelda Perkins in relation to her time working for Weinstein, here are five lesser-known facts about her:
1. Weinstein: A Master Manipulator
In an interview, Perkins characterized Weinstein as a power addict rather than a sex addict. She also described him as a stimulating and brilliant person to be around. However, she added that he had constant mood swings and was a master manipulator.
2. Forewarned About Weinstein’s Behavior
When Perkins first started working for Weinstein, she was warned about the behavior she could expect from him. A woman advised her never to sit on the couch with him but to always choose an armchair instead. According to Perkins, she did warn others about Weinstein’s behavior but believed they might be safe. She later discovered she was wrong.
3. No Other Options
Perkins agreed to the settlement based on her attorneys’ advice, who told her she didn’t have any other options. At this point, it’s unclear what legal repercussions she might face for breaking the confidentiality agreement related to the settlement. The agreement also included a clause requiring Weinstein to undergo therapy, but Perkins doesn’t know if it ever happened.
4. A Pattern of Bad Behavior
Although most of Perkins’ disclosure involves another employee who was raped by Weinstein, she herself had several close calls. The first incident occurred when he requested that she give him a massage while he was wearing only his underwear. She declined, but the behavior continued whenever she was alone with him.
5. Wake-up Calls
Perkins also stated that she had to wake Weinstein on numerous mornings at his hotel, and he would always try to pull her into bed with him. It seems she’s fortunate not to have been raped as well. She has waived her right to anonymity and doesn’t appear too concerned about legal issues related to the confidentiality agreement and settlement. Meanwhile, Weinstein continues to deny the non-consensual sex allegations despite accusations from dozens of women. He is currently under criminal investigation in New York, Los Angeles, and the UK.
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