Keira Knightley has claimed that she wasnt targeted by Harvey Weinstein because she had a certain amount of power.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star worked with the disgraced producer on The Imitation Game and Begin Again, which were both distributed by The Weinstein Company.
However, she claims that by the time she starred in Begin Again in 2014 – following roles in Atonement, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Love Actually and Anna Karenina – she was far enough into her career to avoid him.
Speaking to the Irish Times, Keira said: I absolutely knew he was a bully, and I absolutely knew he was a womaniser, but I totally thought that was consensual. But rape? And the whole bath towel business? Its so fucking out there.
Weinstein is facing trial on two counts of predatory sexual assault, one count of criminal sexual act in the first degree and one count each of first-degree rape and third-degree rape; he has pleaded not guilty and has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.
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Keira, 33, continued: I think the reason I wasnt targeted was because I had a certain amount of power by the time I met him. But if youre at the beginning of your career and hes the top of the industry then of course you dont have the power to say fuck off.
We talk about wanting equality. We need equality just to be safe.
While Keira was never targeted by Weinstein, the Bend It Like Beckham star has been vocal in her support for #MeToo and Times Up, revealing that she has been sexually assaulted in the past.
More: Harvey Weinstein
Speaking to Variety last year, the mum-of-one said: In my personal life, when Ive been in bars, I can count four times when Ive been what Id say was assaulted in a minor way. I think everyone has battled their fair share of monsters. Its not just actresses. Its teachers; its lawyers.
Im not talking about rape, but Im talking about the people who had been grabbed in pubs or their breasts had been fondled by somebody they didnt know or theyd had someone shove a hand up their skirt.
Keira, who is currently starring in Colette, was one of the 190 women working in the entertainment industry who signed an open letter before the 2018 Baftas calling for an end to harassment and abuse due to an imbalance of power across all industries.
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