Spacey said he honestly did "not remember the encounter"
ADVERTISEMENTThe Twittersphere today (October 30) reacted to a statement made by Kevin Spacey in response to allegations from fellow actor Anthony Rapp that the House of Cards star made a sexual advance on him when he was 14 years old.
In the statement, Spacey said that he honestly did “not remember the encounter” and went on “if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour”.
The 58-year-old actor said the accusations had made him address other things about his life and added that he chose to live “as a gay man”.
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) October 30, 2017
Some Twitter users, including well-known personalities in Hollywood, accused Spacey of deflecting attention from accusations made by Rapp by coming out as homosexual.
Film critic Richard Lawson said Spacey used his coming out to “deflect” the accusations and continued with a tweet that read “how dare you implicate us all in this”.
How dare you implicate us all in this
— Richard Lawson (@rilaws) October 30, 2017
TV personality Billy Eichner commented: “Kevin Spacey has just invented something that has never existed before: a bad time to come out.”
Kevin Spacey has just invented something that has never existed before: a bad time to come out.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 30, 2017
Some criticized the fact that Spacey chose to come out at the same time as the child abuse accusations where made.
Editor of Mad Magazine Allie Goertz said: “Just a reminder to non-woke people that paedophilia has nothing to do with being gay.”
Just a reminder to non woke people that pedophilia has nothing to do with being gay.
— Allie Goertz (@AllieGoertz) October 30, 2017
Rapp himself tweeted saying that the women who came forward accusing Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault inspired him to come forward.
“I came forward with my story, standing on the shoulders of the many courageous women and men who have been speaking out to shine a light and hopefully make a difference, as they have done for me.”
Everything I wanted to say about my experience is in that article, and I have no further comment about it at this time.
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) October 30, 2017
Will and Grace actor Deborah Messing replied directly to Rapp’s tweet: “You are brave, and my heart breaks for that 14-year-old.”
You are brave, and my heart breaks for that 14 year old. ❤️ https://t.co/6Lus6U9bhQ
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) October 30, 2017
Actor Rose McGowan, who was vocal in accusing Harvey Weinstein of sexually assaulting her, emplored the media to keep the focus on Rapp.
She also commented: “Bye bye, Spacey goodbye, it’s your turn to cry, that’s why we’ve gotta say goodbye.”
Dear fellow media:
Keep focus on #AnthonyRapp BE THE VICTIM’S VOICE. Help us level the playing field.
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 30, 2017
Bye bye, Spacey goodbye, it’s your turn to cry, that’s why we’ve gotta say goodbye. #ROSEARMY
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 30, 2017