It seemed Sunday's Golden Globe awards was a good night for James Franco after the actor picked up an award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, for his role as Tommy Wiseau in his self-directed flick, The Disaster Artist.
But that changed after multiple women accused Franco of sexually assaulting them. Actress Violet Paley claimed Franco forced her to perform oral sex on him while they were dating and attempted to lure her young friend to his room. She wrote in a tweet, "Cute #TimesUp pin James Franco. Remember the time you pushed my head down in a car towards your exposed penis & that other time you told my friend to come to your hotel when she was 17? After you had already been caught doing that to a different 17 year old?"
The "different 17 year old" refers to a separate instance in 2014 when Franco, 39, faced backlash after a series of Instagram messages between the actor and a 17-year-old girl revealed that Franco was trying to pick the teen up. He would later try to vindicate himself on The Howard Stern Show, saying, "Seventeen is legal in New York, but that being said, it's still pretty damn young. They make it out like I'm pursuing young women. I'm not going to high schools looking for dates. I'm leaving my work and they're coming there. So, I'm seeing attractive women."
Actress Sarah Tither-Kaplan, a former student at Franco's acting school, also called him out after his win for using his clout to take advantage of her, tweeting, "Remember a few weeks ago when you told me the full nudity you had me do in two of your movies for $100/day wasn't exploitative because I signed a contract to do it? Times up on that! I 100% did not feel like I had a choice to say no."
Accusations of wrongdoing against Franco weren't just restricted to after the Golden Globes broadcast, though. The Breakfast Club star Ally Sheedy took to Twitter during the show to hint that there might be more to Franco than people know, and took issue with the fact that a male hosted the show: "Why is a man hosting? Why is James Franco allowed in? Said too much." Sheedy has since deleted the tweets.
The allegations that Franco is an alleged sexual predator are nothing short of ironic, considering Franco was wearing the "Time's Up" pin to support ending sexual harassment in the workplace. He also told reporters backstage that it's "everyone's responsibility" to fight to end sexual harassment.
James Franco has yet to respond to the allegations and it is unknown if any of the women have gone to the authorities. ~Alexa Caruso
Last time I checked dating a guy or taking money from him was not sexual assault in some places they are a job. Bad break up and not enough pay? I know bad stuff happens all the time I see it at work, but if you are throwing yourself at someone don't be surprised it they take you up on it. I like Ally Sheedy but maybe she should tell the whole story.
Okay I am all against sexual assault in any capacity,and without further info,if he is in a relationship and he did what he did to his companion, that is not sexual assault,d and all she had to say was no!as for the underage thing,if the state laws allow for it and it it is mutual and consesual,then bless it.we all head the terms Cougar and Sugar Daddies etc,which I dont agree with,because it is definatelt=y a pay for sex thinh,but if two people genuinely love and undestand each othe age as long as it is legal and not coerced ,is perfectly fine,some younger people gravitate towards old people because of love and compassion and stability.Like wise older people sometimes gate towards younger more vibrant and as long as theirmature enough.I look for what is in a persons heart,age is of no concern at all
oh for crying out loud! Enough of these women trying to latch onto the trend of the day just because he had her go down on him. And AGREEING in a CONTRACT to nudity in a movie is nowhere near sexual harassment. What are women pathetic creatures that have no ability to think or take responsibility? Just say no to oral...dont sign a contract and appear fully nude in a movie....pathetic! 17 years old is young yes...but it is legal in that state, so end of story unless a crime occurred.
ok. lets stop using such a broad brush to jump on th bandwagon and throw men under the bus when they have been aggressive or too forward but not all the way to rape and other acts that cannot possibly be misunderstood OR defended. As an older woman retired from show business I certainly had my share of inappropriate advances and touching and suggestive moments, and I paid for my lack of compliance in many cases by not getting the job. And then there were situations I couldnt get out of without giving in. Pretty much everybody knows what I mean by that. I know the difference is what Im saying. A lot of good looking guys in Hollywood and in positions of power trade on looks and fame and power to get all kinds of gals in their beds or wherever they can score some form of sex. Its an age old fact. Females have to make all kinds of decisions about what they will and will not do. In some cases it is not so clear cut and some gals have certainly felt they could not say no. I understand. But lets keep a perspective. Tell your truth. But do it for the right reasons and in the right context. It looks like James Franco has some things to answer for. I saw a few late night interviews where he painfully admitted there have now been complaints against him and he apologized but denied a few thins being said went down that way. This situation should be about healing and awareness and positive change instead of about ruining peoples lives and making it so they can never work again. Unless it is truly rape and actualy sexual assault. Then go get em. They deserve it. Lets just keep it in perspective. Thats my take. Im not a survivor Im a Warrior. Lets talk about building strength and learning how to avoid power mad humans of either sex. Sky