Actress Ashley Judd, an outspoken participant in the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, has taken legal action against Harvey Weinstein.
A lawsuit filed Monday contends Judd was prevented from securing movie roles because she rejected the sexual advances by the film producer.
In an interview with ABC News, the “A Time to Kill” star asserted, “I lost career opportunity. I lost money. I lost status and prestige and power in my career as a direct result of having been sexually harassed and rebuffing the sexual harassment. … My career opportunities, after having been defamed by Harvey Weinstein, were significantly diminished. … My career was damaged because I rebuffed Mr. Weinstein’s sexual advances. I know it for a fact.”
Judd’s accusation is not without evidence: in December, director Peter Jackson informed New Zealand publication Stuff he had considered the actress for a part in “The Lord of the Rings” before Weinstein — who ran Miramax Film at the time — steered him away.
Referencing Judd and actress Mira Sorvino, Jackson said, “I recall Miramax telling us they were a nightmare to work with and we should avoid them at all costs.” Sorvino also claims to have been sexually harassed by the studio mogul.
A representative for Weinstein has denied any such blackballing, previously telling the The New Yorker, “Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein. Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances.”
Judd announced she will donate any monetary damages garnered by her litigation to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund.