In an interview with BuzzFeed, actor Anthony Rapp has accused Kevin Spacey of sexual misconduct, alleging that Spacey made sexual advances towards him when Rapp was only 14 years old.
On Twitter, Rapp revealed that he was inspired by the ever-growing number of women who have stepped forward to speak out against Harvey Weinstein:
to shine a light and hopefully make a difference, as they have done for me. 2/3
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) October 30, 2017
Anthony Rapp Shares His Story
In the interview, Rapp, currently starring in Star Trek: Discovery, though probably most known from Rent on both stage and screen, claimed that in 1986, Spacey invited Rapp to a party at his apartment, put him on his bed, and climbed on top of him. Rapp told BuzzFeed, “I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually.” Spacey was 26 at the time.
Rapp had spoken about the incident privately, confiding in friends and his brother, but has only now chosen to go public in the wake of the Weinstein allegations, pointing out that 1986 was a much different time:
In 1986, these things weren’t talked about very openly very much, except for maybe in an after-school-special kind of way. There’s so much more openness about talking about these issues, and so many people are coming forward and sharing their stories. The oxygen in the room is there for us to really do something about it.
Kevin Spacey Responds And Addresses Sexuality
Spacey responded to the accusation on Twitter, claiming not to remember the encounter, and apologizing for what he can only assume was “drunken behavior,” on his part. “I am sorry,” he says, “for the feelings [Rapp] describes having carried with him all these years.”
In the statement, Spacey also addressed his sexuality, revealing that he has “had romantic encounters with men” throughout his life, and that he now chooses “to live as a gay man.”
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) October 30, 2017
Twitter Rallies Behind Anthony Rapp
Many have pointed out, however, that Spacey’s apparent “coming-out-of-the-closet” announcement does not excuse sexually assaulting a 14 year old, drunkenly or otherwise, claiming it to be nothing but a PR move:
Kevin Spacey has just invented something that has never existed before: a bad time to come out.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 30, 2017
The Kevin Spacey statement is disturbing on so many levels. None more than the fact that he doesn’t deny trying to seduce A 14-YEAR-OLD BOY!
— andy lassner (@andylassner) October 30, 2017
Anthony Rapp: “Kevin Spacey tried to rape me.”
Media: “Kevin how do you respond?”
Spacey: “uuh…uuhh… Hey everyone I’m gay!” pic.twitter.com/6LAEfsyRtF
— Travon Free (@Travon) October 30, 2017
I picked the right hero. Bravo @albinokid. Sending ou all the strength and love in the world. https://t.co/yZ0mjag40n
— Lin-Unwell Mirandead (@Lin_Manuel) October 30, 2017
The fierce, honest, brave @albinokid. My on-screen irritation and off-screen inspiration.#AlwaysTheRightTimeToTellhttps://t.co/kaBG99DMcz
— Jason Isaacs (@jasonsfolly) October 30, 2017
“Sure, I may have tried to rape a 14-year-old boy when I was 26, but I’m gay!” is a pretty horrible defense. #Spacey
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) October 30, 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) October 30, 2017
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