More than 40 women in Hollywood came forward in the past year to accuse producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct allegations that spanned three decades. On Sunday night, at the Oscars 2018 ceremony in Los Angeles, three of his accusers bravely spoke out about the movements that have emerged since their confessions.
Ashley Judd, Annabella Sciorra and Salma Hayek walked onto the Oscars stage together, and the audience immediately broke out in loud cheers. “This year, many spoke their truth and the journey ahead is long, but slowly a new path has emerged,” Sciorra began. In October, Sciorra told The New Yorker that Weinstein violently raped her in the 1990s, and repeatedly harassed her afterwards.
Judd who told The New York Times about an inappropriate encounter at Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills in 1997, and Hayek, who said in a New York Times op-ed that Weinstein sexually harassed her, echoed Sciorra’s sentiments.
Here’s the full transcript of Judd, Sciorra and Hayek’s powerful statements.
Sciorra: It’s an honor to be here tonight. This year, many spoke their truth and the journey ahead is long, but slowly, a new path has emerged.
Judd: The changes we are witnessing are being driven by the powerful sound of new voices, of different voices, of our voices, joining together in a mighty chorus that is finally saying time’s up.
Hayek: So we salute those unstoppable spirits who kicked ass and broke through the biased perceptions against their gender, their race and ethnicity to tell their stories.
Sciorra: And on this 90th anniversary evening, when the Oscars celebrates timeless classics, we also look forward, as well.
Judd: And we work together to make sure that the next 90 years empower these limitless possibilities of equality, diversity, inclusion, intersectionalty. That’s what this year has promised us.
Hayek: So, as you can see, so full of emotion, a little bit shaky, we ask you to join us as we take a look at some of these trailblazers.
After Sciorra, Judd and Hayek’s introduction, a video package aired featuring men and women in the industry, including fellow Weinstein accuser Mira Sorvino, directors Greta Gerwig, Jordan Peele, actress Geena Davis and more.
“Everyone is getting a voice to express something that has been happening forever, not only in Hollywood, but in every walk of life,” Sorvino began.
The segment focused on the message of movements like Time’s Up, launched by Hollywood power players like Reese Witherspoon, America Ferrera, and Shonda Rhimes, which is providing a fund run by the National Women’s Law Center that will help cover legal expenses for all women standing up to sexual harassment.
Here’s the entire #TimesUp segment from the Oscars. It’s worth a watch. (via THR) pic.twitter.com/WMFGewdLAR
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 5, 2018
From: ELLE US
