Dogged by Sexual Assault Scandal, #MeToo Leader Dropped from ‘X Factor Italy’
Peter D'Abrosca
|
A former leader of the #MeToo movement which exposed the misdeeds of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has been fired from her post as a host of “X Factor Italy” after sexual assault claims surfaced against her last week.
“Audiences will still see [Asia Argento] on the first seven episodes of the season, which were already shot earlier this summer, beginning Sept 6,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. “The episodes include initial auditions to narrow down competitors for the 12 final spots.The live portion of the show will officially begin with a new judge and the main cast from Oct. 25.”
Argento was outed by the New York Times last week. for settling a sexual assault claim filed against her in civil court by a man with whom Argento slept when he was only 17. She was 33 at the time. Legally, anyone under the age of 18 is presumed incapable of consenting to sex. Argento settled the case with her victim in the midst of taking down Weinstein for his sexual escapades.
Argento denied the allegations made in the New York Times report, only to be proven a liar when photo and text evidence surfaced hours later.
“I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false,” Asia Argento told New York Magazine writer Yashar Ali. “I have never had any sexual relationship with [Jimmy] Bennett.”
Argento made that lie public Tuesday morning, only for it to be exposed several hours later when damning photos and text conversations were published by TMZ.
A photo shows the pair lying in bed together.
A text conversation shows Argento admitting to having sex with the teen boy.
“I had sex with him it felt weird,” she said. “I didn’t know he was a minor until the shakedown letter.”
“Producers FremantleMedia Italia and Sky Italia are expected to make a statement shortly, but previously said that although they hired the actress for her TV and music skills, not for her status in the #MeToo movement, they would not work with her if the allegations were proved true,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Argento has yet to publicly speak about the news.
Share: