Anais Gutierrez
Jason Momoa took to social media to apologize over a 2011 rape comment, on Thursday. The actor apologized for the controversial comment. The video of the comment resurfaced earlier this week and caused outrage.
Momoa’s co-star Ben Affleck also apologized over a groping incident dating back to 2001. The incidents resurfaced in the wake of the Weinstein sexual misconduct scandal.
Controversial comments resurfacing in the web
In the wake of a wider outcry about sexual harassment in the film industry, footage of ‘Aquaman’ actor, Jason Momoa, joking about his rape scenes in ‘Game of Thrones’ has gone viral online.
The video dates back to a Comic-Con even in 2011. Momoa is discussing the sex scenes along with his co-star Emilia Clark.
“As far as sci-fi and fantasy, I love that genre because there are so many things you can do. Like rip someone’s tongue out of their throat and get away with it – and rape beautiful women,” Jason says in the video.
At the time, the remark was met with laughter from the audience, but as it resurfaced this week, social media users have branded it “horrific” and “awful.”
The video went viral this week, as a wave of Hollywood stars spoke out against sexism in showbusiness. All prompted by a series of reports accusing Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment.
“Tasteless comment”
Momoa didn’t ignore the debate and was quick to issue an apology over the comment. The actor took to Instagram to express his regret and views on the comment.
“I awoke in Australia to the justified reactions by many people to a distasteful joke I made years ago in Hall H for which I am sorry,” he started.
“I’m still severely disappointed in myself at the insensitivity of my remarks that day. Knowing my sincerest apology now won’t take away those hurtful words.”
“I made a truly tasteless comment. It is unacceptable and I sincerely apologize with a heavy heart for the words I said,” he ended.
Relating to the 2011 comment, that same year the actor said he found it “very hard” filming the scenes in which his violent character Khal Drogo raped Daenerys Targaryen.
“It was very hard because I’ve never done that to anyone,” he said.
“I was like, ‘The good news is I’m not a rapist.’ It didn’t feel good – I don’t like women crying when I’m making love to them,” he said.
Momoa is determined to raise awareness
Momoa has previously said he is determined to raise “awareness” about rape.
During the promotion of his film ‘Road to Paloma’ in 2014, he said he had written and directed the movie in order to draw attention to issues concerning rape. Specifically, legal loopholes that can leave women living on US Indian Reservations without legal protection in rape cases.
“My co-writer Robert [Homer Mollohan] found that 86 % of the reported rapes were committed by non-natives – and that’s just reported,” said Momoa who’s mother is Native American.
“I’ve had the best group of women in my life – and if the law didn’t take care of them, what would you do? It’s one of those injustices that are happening right now. To bring awareness to it is really what we wanted to do.”
Not the only one apologizing
And the ‘Aquaman’ star isn’t the only one getting haunt by a video. His ‘Justice League’ co-star Ben Affleck apologized for a 2003 groping incident which also resurfaced on the internet earlier this week.
Affleck took to social media on Tuesday to release a statement condemning Weinstein.
“I am saddened and angry that a man who I worked with used his position of power. To intimidate, sexually harass and manipulate many women over decades,” read Affleck’s statement.
“This is completely unacceptable. I find myself asking what I can do to make sure this doesn’t happen to others.”
In the wake of Affleck’s statement about the sexual misconduct allegations against Harvey Weinstein, a fan tweeted criticism of the Justice League actor.
The Twitter user called out Affleck for an incident back in 2011, in which he had “also grabbed Hilarie Burton’s breasts on TRL once.”
Burton then joined the conversation and added that she was “just a kid” when Affleck touched her on-air.
“Girls. I’m so impressed with you brave ones,” Burton tweeted. “I had to laugh back then so I wouldn’t cry. Sending love.”
The actress also shared a video of the ‘TRL Uncensored II’ cold open that featured her interview with Affleck.
In the clip, you can see Affleck asking if Burton was 19. The actress also candidly speaks about the incident in the video and says, “And then he comes over and tweaks my left boob!”
Burton is currently expecting a second child with ‘The Walking Dead’ star Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Following the whole controversy, the actor took to social media once more this time to apologize for his own sexual misconduct.
I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) October 11, 2017
Source: The Journal
