Famous figures accused of sexual misconduct

Allegations about the designer’s sexual misconduct first circulated four years ago, but resurfaced at the end of 2020 when British model Owen Mooney made a viral TikTok video claiming Wang had groped him at a New York City nightclub in January 2017. Most of the alleged incidents were linked to LGBT clubs.

Getty Images

5 / 73 Fotos

James Franco -

Two actresses and former students of now-defunct acting school Studio 4, which James Franco founded, filed a class-action lawsuit against the star in 2019 claiming that he had intimidated students into performing in increasingly explicit sex scenes in an “orgy type setting” far beyond what’s acceptable on Hollywood sets.

Getty Images

6 / 73 Fotos

James Franco -

The lawsuit alleged that, in Franco’s master class on sex scenes, students were led to believe that roles in his films would be available to those young women who went along with “his personal and professional sexual exploitation in the name of education.” Franco’s attorneys called the claims “false”. The two parties reached a tentative settlement out of court, which they filed in February 2021.

Getty Images

7 / 73 Fotos

Shia LaBeouf -

Shia LaBeouf is reportedly stepping away from his acting career following a disturbing lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend, musician FKA Twigs, in December. He is on "hiatus" from his Hollywood talent agency CAA, and is he currently receiving inpatient care, ET reports.

Getty Images

8 / 73 Fotos

Shia LaBeouf -

Singer FKA Twigs filed a lawsuit against actor Shia LaBeouf, accusing him of sexual battery, assault, and infliction of emotional distress in what was, she calls, a relentlessly abusive relationship. They had officially started dating shortly after they worked on the film 'Honey Boy' together. Twigs' accusations also include that LaBeouf knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease, and grabbed her hard enough to give her bruises.

Getty Images

9 / 73 Fotos

Shia LaBeouf -

FKA Twigs wrote on social media about their abusive relationship: "It was hard for me to process too, during and after I never thought something like this would happen to me." She explained that "when you are under the coercive control of an abuser or in an intimate partner violent relationship, leaving doesn’t feel like a safe or achievable option,” and added that she hopes her experience can shed some light on the difficult topic for other victims as well as victims' loved ones.

Getty Images

10 / 73 Fotos

Shia LaBeouf -

The actor responded to the accusations in an email to the NY Times and said: “I’m not in any position to tell anyone how my behavior made them feel. I have no excuses for my alcoholism or aggression, only rationalizations. I have been abusive to myself and everyone around me for years. I have a history of hurting the people closest to me. I’m ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt. There is nothing else I can really say.”

Getty Images

11 / 73 Fotos

Shia LaBeouf -

After Twigs' post, singer Sia tweeted, "I too have been hurt emotionally by Shia, a pathological liar, who conned me into an adulterous relationship claiming to be single. I believe he's very sick and have compassion for him AND his victims."

Getty Images

12 / 73 Fotos

Shia LaBeouf -

Another of his exes from 2010-2012, makeup artist Karolyn Pho, also accused the actor of abuse, claiming he drunkenly pinned her to a bed and head-butted her. She has offered testimony on Twigs’ behalf in the singer’s lawsuit.

Getty Images

13 / 73 Fotos

Marilyn Manson -

On February 1 Evan Rachel Wood dropped a bombshell: “The name of my abuser is Brian Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson,” she wrote on Instagram. "He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years,” the actress continued. “I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission. I am done living in fear of retaliation, slander, or blackmail. I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives. I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent.”

Getty Images

14 / 73 Fotos

Marilyn Manson -

Evan Rachel Wood also reposted similar accusations made by four different women who also claim that Manson abused them. In the past, Wood has spoken to Congress about being sexually abused by an ex-partner in an effort to improve survivor rights and end the backlog of untested rape kits. In 2019, she gave testimony on her “rape and torture” to help create California’s Phoenix Act, which extends the statute of limitations for domestic violence cases from three to five years.

Getty Images

15 / 73 Fotos

Marilyn Manson -

Manson denied the allegations in a statement, saying: "My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners.” The musician has, however, been dropped by his record label Loma Vista.

Getty Images

16 / 73 Fotos

Ansel Elgort -

On June 19, a woman named Gabby accused the actor of sexually abusing her as he took her virginity while she was “sobbing in pain” in 2014. She claimed she was just 17 years old and a big fan of his. Elgort denied the allegation on Instagram the following night.

Getty Images

17 / 73 Fotos

Ansel Elgort -

He confirmed their relationship happened, but said that it was “brief, legal, and entirely consensual.” He also chalked up her accusations to the way in which he broke up with her, which was by simply disappearing. He apologized for how he handled it.

Getty Images

18 / 73 Fotos

Chris D’Elia -

Around June 17, multiple women on social media accused the comedian of sexual misconduct, grooming, soliciting naked photos, blackmailing, and attempting to engage with them sexually, some being as young as 16 when the alleged encounters happened.

Getty Images

19 / 73 Fotos

Chris D'Elia -

On June 18, D’Elia denied the allegations in a statement to TMZ, saying he “never knowingly pursed any underage women at any point.” He apologized, however, for being “a dumb guy who ABSOLUTELY let myself get caught up in my lifestyle.” He said he’s been reflecting for some time and promised to do better.

Getty Images

20 / 73 Fotos

Justin Bieber -

The pop star took to Twitter on June 21 to respond to a story that appeared accusing him of sexual abuse on March 9, 2014, in Austin, Texas, at the Four Seasons Hotel. He provided multiple receipts, photos, and proof that he was with Selena Gomez to deny the allegation.

Getty Images

21 / 73 Fotos

Justin Bieber -

He wrote, “Every claim of sexual abuse should be taken very seriously and this is why my response was needed. However this story is factually impossible and that is why I will be working with twitter and authorities to take legal action.”

Getty Images

22 / 73 Fotos

‘Riverdale’ cast members -

On June 21, an anonymous Twitter account accused Cole Sprouse of sexual assault in 2013 following a party at NYU, which was soon followed up by other allegations against his ‘Riverdale’ co-stars Vanessa Morgan, KJ Apa, and Lili Reinhart from a different anonymous account. The user later declared, “Do you see how easy it is to lie and you guys will believe it?”

Getty Images

23 / 73 Fotos

Cole Sprouse -

The actor addressed the false accusations on Twitter, saying that he takes accusations very seriously and doesn’t seek to silence anyone, but that these fabricated allegations “do tremendous damage to victims of actual assault.”

Getty Images

24 / 73 Fotos

Lili Reinhart -

The ‘Riverdale’ star also addressed the story on Twitter, writing, “I can’t think of something more twisted than lying about sexual assault. It invalidates the men and women who are brave enough to come forward with the truth.” She added that she hopes real survivors will not be discouraged from speaking out.

Getty Images

25 / 73 Fotos

Katy Perry - Katy Perry has not one, but two accusations leveled against her. Russian TV host Tina Kandelaki accused the singer of sexually harassing her at an industry party. Kandelaki claims Perry tried to inappropriately touch and kiss her.

26 / 73 Fotos

Katy Perry - Josh Kloss, who was Perry's 'Teenage Dream' music video co-star, had also accused her of sexual misconduct. In an Instagram post, he said that the singer pulled down his pants at a birthday party and showed his privates to several people there. Perry has yet to comment on the allegations.

27 / 73 Fotos

Placido Domingo - Domingo, a world-renowned figure in opera, has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple people, according to an Associated Press report. Nine accusers came forward, with only mezzo-soprano Patricia Wulf willing to use her name. However, half a dozen more have made comments about his inappropriate behavior towards them, with more than 30 stating that they witnessed it towards others.

28 / 73 Fotos

Placido Domingo - Many felt that their careers would be (or were) affected by their refusal. Although he denied the allegations at first, in February 2020 he apologized to all the women who came forward in a statement. "I am truly sorry for the hurt that I caused them. I accept full responsibility for my actions, and I have grown from this experience.”

29 / 73 Fotos

R. Kelly -

The singer was arrested and charged with 10 counts of aggravated assault in February 2019, and he remains in a Chicago jail with various allegations of child pornography and sex trafficking leveled against him. By the end of May 2020, in total, he had 21 charges against him.

30 / 73 Fotos

R. Kelly -

He awaits his first federal trial for child pornography charges in October 2020, with no plea deal on the table.

31 / 73 Fotos

Cuba Gooding Jr. - In 2019, the actor allegedly grabbed the breast of a waitress as she gave him a glass of water to help him sober up. She filed a complaint later that night. He was arrested on June 13, 2019.

32 / 73 Fotos

Cuba Gooding Jr. - Nineteen other women have since come forward, and the actor's upcoming forcible touching and sexual abuse trial will include testimony from two of them. He faces three counts of forcible touching and three counts of sexual abuse in the third degree related to three separate incidents in New York, but has pleaded not guilty.

33 / 73 Fotos

Roman Polanski - The French-Polish film director was expelled from the Academy due to a sexual assault charge involving a girl in 1977. In April 2019, the director decided to sue the Academy.

34 / 73 Fotos

Roman Polanski - In 1977, Polanski accepted a plea bargain in which he pleaded guilty to a lesser crime. He then fled the United States to France while awaiting sentencing. Despite US attempts to extradite him, he has not been formally sentenced.

35 / 73 Fotos

Ryan Adams - Ryan Adams has been accused of both sexual misconduct and emotional abuse. Several women have come forward detailing their experiences, where the musician reportedly offered opportunities to advance their musical careers, then pursued these female artists sexually. Some of the victims were reportedly minors.

36 / 73 Fotos

Ryan Adams -

Mandy Moore, Adams' ex-wife, was also one of the accusers. She alleged that the singer-songwriter's psychological abuse actually stalled her musical career.

37 / 73 Fotos

Chris Brown - A 24-year-old woman reportedly accused Brown of sexually assaulting her on the evening of January 15, 2019 at a hotel in Paris. Brown and two other people, one of whom is said to be his bodyguard, were taken into French custody. They were later released, and Brown denies the accusations.

38 / 73 Fotos

Chris Brown -

Brown has been in repeated legal trouble since infamously pleading guilty to the felony assault of his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. He completed his probation in 2015.

39 / 73 Fotos

Geoffrey Rush - Geoffrey Rush has been accused of sexual misconduct by 'Orange Is the New Black' star Yael Stone. She claims that during a stage production in 2010/2011, he exposed himself to her, sent her sexually inappropriate text messages, and tried to spy on her while she was showering. He has denied the accusations.

40 / 73 Fotos

Geoffrey Rush - He was also accused of sexual harassment by his 'King Lear' co-star Eryn Jean Norvill.

41 / 73 Fotos

Bill Cosby - On April 25, 2018, the actor was convicted of three counts of aggravated indecent assault, after being charged with drugging and violating former basketball player Andrea Constand. He has been sentenced to three to 10 years, and was denied bail during his appeal.

42 / 73 Fotos

Bill Cosby -

He is now officially classified as a sexually violent predator, is on the sex offender registry, and will have to undergo therapy for the remainder of his life. He has been accused of numerous sexual assaults, this being the only conviction so far. He issued a statement that he has "no remorse," and compares himself to a "political prisoner."

43 / 73 Fotos

Brett Kavanaugh - Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Brett Kavanaugh was accused of sexual assault by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who claimed that Kavanaugh assaulted her at a high school house party in 1982.

44 / 73 Fotos

Brett Kavanaugh - Despite these accusations coming up while he was still a nominee for the Supreme Court, and even after testimony on the part of Dr. Ford and Kavanaugh, he was ultimately elected to serve as a member of the Supreme Court.

45 / 73 Fotos

Asia Argento - Argento was subject to accusations in 2018 by a young actor, Jimmy Bennett, of sexually assaulting him in a hotel room when he was only 17.

46 / 73 Fotos

Asia Argento - In a New York Times report, it was revealed that she made payments totalling US$380,000 to Jimmy Bennett after allegedly sexually assaulting him. This has stirred up significant controversy, as Argento was one of the prominent faces of the #MeToo movement, and was one of the initial Weinstein accusers.

47 / 73 Fotos

Louis C.K. - According to The Guardian, the American stand-up comedian was accused of sexual misconduct by five women.

48 / 73 Fotos

Louis C.K. - He admitted that the stories were true, expressing remorse for his actions and stating that he had abused his power. Despite this however, on August 27, 2018, he went back to the stage for his first stand-up comedy show since the accusations almost 10 months earlier.

49 / 73 Fotos

Morgan Freeman - The renowned actor was accused of sexual harassment and assault by eight different women, as reported by The Guardian.

50 / 73 Fotos

Morgan Freeman - The accusations ranged from inappropriate sexual comments to unwanted touching and creating an overall "uncomfortable" and "toxic" environment. He has since made a public statement apologizing for any behavior that may have left people feeling disrespected.

51 / 73 Fotos

Harvey Weinstein - Starting in October 2017 and continuing well into 2020, various accusations—at least 80—of sexual harassment and assault by the American film producer have been making consistent headlines

52 / 73 Fotos

Harvey Weinstein - Weinstein turned himself in on May 25, 2018. In February 2020, he was convicted in New York City of third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act, and in March he was sentenced to 23 years in jail.

53 / 73 Fotos

Kevin Spacey - In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, sexual harassment allegations were also made against the prominent 'House of Cards' actor.

54 / 73 Fotos

Kevin Spacey - The initial allegation involved him making a sexual advance on actor Anthony Rapp when Rapp was 14 years old, according to the BBC. Further allegations followed, and criminal charges have been made against him, but he denies them all.

55 / 73 Fotos

Al Franken - The US Senator was accused of groping American radio broadcaster Leeann Tweeden in 2006.

56 / 73 Fotos

Al Franken - Leeann Tweeden alleged that Franken continuously tried to kiss her without her consent during rehearsals, according to Time. He resigned soon after.

57 / 73 Fotos

Dustin Hoffman - As reported by Time, author Anna Graham Hunter accused the actor of sexually harassing her in 1985 while filming 'Death of a Salesman.'

58 / 73 Fotos

Dustin Hoffman - Hunter wrote an essay describing her experiences in which Hoffman groped her and made inappropriate comments, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

59 / 73 Fotos

George H. W. Bush - The former president of the United States allegedly groped several women without their consent.

60 / 73 Fotos

George H. W. Bush - According to the BBC, most of the cases involved him patting women's rear ends.

61 / 73 Fotos

Mariah Carey - As reported by The Telegraph, the famous singer was accused of sexual harassment by her ex-manager.

62 / 73 Fotos

Mariah Carey - Ex-manager Stella Bulochnikov stated that Carey would do "sexual things to her" and walk around naked in front of her. The singer has denied the allegations.

63 / 73 Fotos

Ben Affleck - Allegations about the actor's sexual misconduct first started coming out in October 2017. One incident took place in 2003 while he was being interviewed on the television show 'Total Request Live,' during which he reportedly grabbed host Hilarie Burton's breast.

64 / 73 Fotos

Ben Affleck - Affleck apologized for the incident on Twitter. “I acted inappropriately toward Mrs. Burton and I sincerely apologize,” he wrote.

65 / 73 Fotos

Mark Halperin - In 2017, more than a dozen women accused the American journalist of sexual harassment while he was the political director of ABC News.

66 / 73 Fotos

Mark Halperin - The accusations included propositioning female employees for sex, groping them against their will, and pushing his genitalia up against their bodies. He made a public apology where he admitted "responsibility for [his] outrageous conduct."

67 / 73 Fotos

Roy Moore - Business Insider reported that in November 2017, the US Senate candidate was accused by several women of sexual misconduct.

68 / 73 Fotos

Roy Moore - The majority of accusers were underage at the time of the misconduct and claimed that he had made unwanted sexual advances.

69 / 73 Fotos

Terry Richardson - The American fashion photographer faced a long list of sexual assault and harassment allegations.

70 / 73 Fotos

Terry Richardson - Most of the allegations came from models he had worked with throughout his career. According to TIME, certain publications, including US Vogue and Vanity Fair, have since refused to continue working with him following the accusations.

71 / 73 Fotos

David Blaine - In 2016, the American magician was accused by model Natasha Prince of sexually assaulting her in 2004.

72 / 73 Fotos

David Blaine -

Two other accusations of sexual assault later arose, though Blaine has denied them all.

Check out these celebrities with criminal records.

73 / 73 Fotos

Famous figures accused of sexual misconduct

Gerard Depardieu, Alexander Wang, and James Franco have lawyered up

24/02/21 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Controversy

The era of #MeToo has brought waves of fresh sexual misconduct allegations against some prominent and powerful figures. It might seem like all of these accusations are new, but the fact is that victims are only just starting to feel more comfortable in sharing their experiences, and these acts of sexual misconduct and abuse have been going on for many, many years. The difference is that, now, people are paying attention.

Most recently French actor Gerard Depardieu has reportedly been charged with rape and sexual assault. Fashion designer Alexander Wang has over 10 allegations of sexual assault laid against him. James Franco has settled a lawsuit accusing him of sexual exploitation in his acting school. The list goes on.

The public is still learning how to deal with figures accused of sexual crimes, but by putting these stories in the spotlight, a discussion can be had about the power structures that enable these patterns, the faults our society has had in the past in dealing with them, and the steps we can take to do better.

Unfortunately, the previously mentioned allegations are far from the first, or the worst. Click through to learn more about her lawsuit, and see which defamed faces who have been accused of sexual misconduct.