And as soon as the HFPA had done the bare minimum, they were back in NBC's good graces. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Do I feel like I need to say something? Berk was the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization behind the Golden Globe Awards. Its investigation concluded that "the evidence supports that it was intended to be taken as a joke" and suggested issuing a joint statement with Fraser. Do I feel like I need to say something? HFPA/GG will store your name and email address and use them to send the Weekly Globe newsletter. Market data provided by Factset. Brendan Fraser says the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which runs the Golden Globes, pressured him to downplay his allegation that its former president, Philip Berk, groped him in. Absolutely.". ", Kourtney Kardashian Shut Down a Fan Who Asked If She's Pregnant and Ignited a Debate About Women's Bodies. Active members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association vote for the Golden Globe Awards, which means that "the Globes are overseen by an extremely small number of people," considering that in comparison, the Academy Awards are voted on by over 9,000 people. I was blaming myself and I was miserablebecause I was saying, This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel. That summer wore onand I cant remember what I went on to work on next.. Berk wrote in his memoir that he did so in jest, but Fraser remembers the incident much differently. Absolutely, he tells GQ. A comprehensive 2016 study by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found that some 75 percent of U.S. survivors of workplace harassment experienced retaliation when they spoke up about their experiences, with male-dominated and service-oriented industries as some of the biggest hotbeds of workplace injustice. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Former HFPA president Phillip Berk. Absolutely., Berk responded to Frasers story by telling GQ it is a total fabrication. He admitted to writing a letter to Fraser about the incident but said his apology admitted no wrongdoing.. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. We are excited for the future of our association and look forward to connecting with our colleagues in the industry both old and new over these next few months.. Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. Have I wanted to many, many times? Fraser also surmised his career may have suffered . Have I stopped myself? In an interview with GQ, Brendan Fraser alleged that Philip Berk, former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), groped him. Absolutely. I felt ill. In 1943, actress Argentina Brunetti and her husband Miro Brunetti, a foreign correspondent, co-founded the Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association, which was renamed the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in 1954 (via Golden Globes). However, the network added that "assuming the organization executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.". Berk, who has admitted to pinching Fraser's behind, denied that the incident went beyond that, saying, "Mr. Fraser's version is a total fabrication.". I haven't spoken to them in years, but they're my friends. Although the judge ended up siding with HFPA in November 2020, the lawsuit brought to light a number of the organization's "ethical conflicts, with members accepting 'thousands of dollars in emoluments' from the very same studios, networks and celebrities they conferred trophies upon.". (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage). He did have his reps ask the HFPA for a written apology, telling GQ that the HFPA agreed they would never allow Berk in a room with Fraser again. After the GQ story was published, the HFPA responded saying that it was investigating the incident. In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me.. My apology admitted no wrongdoing, the usual If Ive done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended and I apologize., In his 2014 memoir With Signs and Wonders: My Journey from Darkest Africa to the Bright Lights of Hollywood, Berk recounted the incident too saying he pinched Frasiers ass in jest., RELATED VIDEO: Women of Hollywood Attend Golden Globes Together in Support of the Times Up Movement, While other factors contributed to the downward momentum of his career, Fraser tells GQ that his alleged experience with Berk made [him] retreat and feel reclusive., [I] became depressed, he said, recounting how he told himself he deserved what happened to him. the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press . Check out 100 years of eye looks: 2023 Cond Nast. That's when they came up with the idea for the Golden Globe Awards. In addition to a number of publicity firms, the American film production and distribution company Neon also joined the boycott. He was a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association since 1989 and served in the administration for 25 years he formerly held the position of president from 2003-2005 and 2015-2017. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I felt ill. But his career has noticeably waned over the past decade, leading journalists and commenters to ask multiple variations of the same question: What happened to Brendan Fraser? The HFPA said that it is investigating further details surrounding the incident. In a new interview with GQ published on Thursday, the Mummy star, 49, claims that former Hollywood Foreign Press Association (the non-profit organization that votes for the Golden Globe awards) president Philip Berk sexually assaulted him in the summer of 2003, while at a luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel an alleged incident Berk disputes. (Berk denies that the HFPA retaliated against Fraser, telling GQ, His career declined through no fault of ours). But the silence was deafening, he said, adding that he was rarely invited back to the Globes after 2003. "Am I still frightened? I felt like there was a ball in my throat. In February 2021, the Los Angeles Times revealed that among the almost 90 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, there are no Black members, despite the group's own motto being "Unity without discrimination of religion or race." The incident happened in public at a summer luncheon held by the HFPA (which hosts the Golden Globes annually). retailers. I dont know if this curried disfavor with the group, with the HFPA. / CBS News. I just know what my truth is.". There's many reasons, but was this one of them? . ", It also doesn't help that HFPA member Margaret Gardiner "confused Daniel Kaluuya for another Black actor, Leslie Odom Jr., just minutes after Kaluuya's Oscar win.". Absolutely. For many journalists, the HFPA has always had a "terrible reputation," and the news that it's a self-involved clique wasn't too surprising. The HFPA stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article, the association said in a statement, according to People. "His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint," Fraser told GQ. Berkclaims he had written a letter to Fraser about the incident claiming that he had done no wrong. But when they first organized, they still weren't taken too seriously, and mostly all they did was "meet at various members' homes to share information." I felt like there was a ball in my throat. My apology admitted no wrongdoing, the usual If Ive done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended and I apologize, he told the magazine. He claims in 2003, he was sexually assaulted by Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Philip Berk. Brendan Fraser is speaking out for the first time about his experience with sexual harassment in Hollywood. Terry Crews is suing the Hollywood agent he accused of groping him last year at an industry event. "Maybe I am over-reacting in terms of what the instance was. President Lorenzo Soria, who oversaw the organization that puts on the annual Golden Globe Awards, has died. All rights reserved. Related Over the years weve continued a positive working relationship with Brendan, which includes announcing Golden Globe nominees, attending the ceremony and participating in press conferences. And he starts moving it around. Fraser told GQ that Berk groped him at a luncheon in 2003. Have I wanted to many, many times? Winners included Paul Lukas, Jennifer Jones, and the film "The Song of Bernadette." Berk recounted the incident in his memoir "With Signs and Wonders," but said he pinched Fraser's behind as a joke. The actor immediately left the luncheon and went home to his wife, who he said he told about the interaction. Fraser also shared that he wonders if the HFPA retaliated against him after the incident by depriving him of Golden Globes invitations or other professional opportunities. Is it ever okay to ask a woman especially one who's publicly undergone IVF if she's pregnant? Since 2012, the number of Syrian refugees alone has increased tenfold. However, many are saying that these claimed reforms are a superficial band-aid and are nothing more than a few bullet points that vaguely gesture at reform. April 19, 2021 3:30 PM PT. And he starts moving it around, Fraser told GQ. This also wasn't the first lawsuit alleging such behavior. Brendan Fraser Gets Emotional on Hearing TikTok Is Rooting for Him: 'Shucks, Ma'am', Brendan Fraser Gets Candid: Five Things We Learned About the Actor in Revealing New Interview, Golden Globes Voter Philip Berk, Previously Accused of Groping Brendan Fraser, Expelled by HFPA for Racist Email, Woody Allen Says He Would've Liked to Work with Jerry Lewis Before His Death: 'Immense Talent', Oscar-Winning 'Crash' Director Paul Haggis Arrested in Italy on Sexual Assault Charges: Reports, Amber Heard Says She 'Felt So Lonely' After Alleged Johnny Depp Sexual Assault: 'No One Knew', 'West Side Story' 's Rachel Zegler Addresses Ansel Elgort Allegations: 'There's Been a Lot of Awakening', University of Michigan Reaches $490M Settlement with More than 1,000 Sexual Assault Accusers, Singer Lisa Gentile Accuses Chris Noth of Sexually Assaulting Her and Threatening to 'Ruin' Her Career, Snoop Dogg Hilariously Mispronounces Names During 2022 Golden Globe Nominations: 'Work with Me Now', Rose McGowan Graphically Details Her Alleged Sexual Assault by Harvey Weinstein in New Book, T.J. Miller Denies Allegation He Sexually Assaulted and Punched Woman While in College. In recounting this incident to GQ, Fraser stated that "his left hand reaches around, grabs my a** cheek, and one of his fingers touches me And he starts moving it around." Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital "If I've done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended," he said in the statement. Have I wanted to many, many times? In response, entertainers have also stated that they will "refrain from any HFPA sanctioned events." According to The Guardian, Cruise isn't the only entertainer speaking out. People reports in his 2014memoirWith Signs and Wonders: My Journey from Darkest Africa to the Bright Lights of Hollywood,Berk recalled pinching Fraser's buttin jest.. "I'm humbled to be elected by my peers and colleagues here at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and. In comparison, members of the film and television academies don't get paid to serve on committees, writes CNET. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. I felt like a little kid. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Why didn't Fraser go public? In 2003 he began researching the business case for climate action for the . Brendan Fraser was at the peak of his career when he was sexually abused by Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), as revealed in an interview published by GQ on Thursday. In response to the cancellation, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association released a new and improved timeline of the "transformational changes" they plan to implement, noting that they will happen "regardless of the next air date of the Golden Globes.". Lorenzo Soria has been re-elected president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for the 2016-2017 year. Berk is still a member of the HFPA. Brendan Fraser Says Lost Superman Role Would've Been 'Faustian Bargain' Anyway: 'I'm Not a One-Trick Pony' Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. Perhaps best known for starring as Rick O'Connell in The Mummy trilogy and the title character in 1997's George of the Jungle, actor Brendan Fraser was an omnipresent Hollywood fixture in the 1990s and the first half of the 2000s. I felt like a little kid. But at the time, his reps did askthe HFPA for a written apology from Berk, and received one, though Berk says his apology admitted no wrongdoing. Fraser refused to sign off on the joint statement and maintained, "I don't get the joke.". And despite having several former and active members who are people of color, according to Variety, the organization hasn't had a Black member since 2002. Philip Berk, a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for the past 44 years and an eight-term past president of the group behind the Golden Globe Awards, has been expelled from . I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative. But there also continues to be genuine bafflement about how things escalated to this point. I call them friends in my mind. Scott. "It made me feel reclusive," the . Peter Jackson seems to confirm Weinstein blacklisted Mira Sorvino, Ashley Judd. Fraser is not the only male star taking action over assault claims. Berk tells the magazine the HFPA never retaliated against Fraser: His career declined through no fault of ours., Am I still frightened? Here is how Fraser describes the incident, which occurred at the Beverly Hills Hotel during an HFPA luncheon, to GQ: His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. Related 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. However some, like Alexander Nevsky, joined because they were "just plain curious.". The alleged groping occurred at the Beverly Hills Hotel. "I felt ill. "Pregnancy Nose" Reveals Are Sweeping TikTok. Get the latest hollywood foreign press association news, articles, videos and photos on the New York Post. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Jonathan Majors on Oscar Favorites, Bad Reviews, and the Road Trip That Made Him Realize He Was a Star, The Best Picture Race Got a Lot More Confusing This Week, Tom Cruise Made the Rounds This Week, but Other Oscar Nominees Got More Applause Than Top Gun: Maverick, How Michael B. Jordans Love of Anime Shaped Creed III Fight Scenes, Translating the Unconscious Into Images: The Cinematography of Bardo, Poker Face Takes Viewers on a Cross-Country Road Trip Without Leaving New York, The 50 Best Movies of 2022, According to 165 Critics from Around the World, All 81 Titles Unceremoniously Removed from HBO Max (So Far), 10 Shows Canceled but Not Forgotten in 2022. I think it was. I felt ill. Brendan Fraser claims ex-Hollywood Foreign Press president groped him. For transparencys sake, along with Hoehne, the current HFPA board includes Gabriel Lerman, Sabrina Joshi, Yukiko Nakajima, Scott Orlin, Kirpi Uimonen, Henry Arnaud, Barbara de Oliveira Pinto, Barbara Gasser, Tina Johnk Christensen, Greet Ramaekers and Armando Gallo. LOS ANGELES Brendan Fraser is joining the #MeToo movement, coming forward on Thursday with allegations of sexual assault by an ex-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Absolutely. I was blaming myself and I was miserable because I was saying, This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel,' Fraser recalled. Dave Quinn is an Editor for PEOPLE, working across a number of verticals including the Entertainment, Lifestyle and News teams. hollywood foreign press association Brendan Fraser nabs Golden Globe nomination despite vowing not to attend December 12, 2022 | 11:14am The 53-year-old has vowed to boycott the ceremony. This lack of representation also affects the films highlighted by the Golden Globes, which has been criticized numerous times for its lack of racial diversity in both nominations and awards. That last bit is, of course, the trial balloon in what the HFPA hopes will be clearer skies now that it has passed a series of bylaws and other much-needed reforms. The Time's Up organization, as well as numerous entertainers and PR firms, expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed reforms, stating that "the HFPA's list of recommendations largely contains no specifics [and] no commitments to real accountability or change,"writes The Hollywood Reporter. You will be redirected back to your article in, Ariana DeBose Gets The Last Laugh On Her BAFTAs Rap, Tom Sizemore Dies: 'Saving Private Ryan' & 'Black Hawk Down' Star Was 61; Reactions + Career In Photos, Bill Maher Predicts Joe Biden Beats Donald Trump In 2024 Match Up; HBO Host Center Stage As CNN Launches New 9 PM Strategy, Marilyn Manson Rape Accuser Pressured To Recant Claims, Evan Rachel Wood Asserts; Judge Rejects Singers Attempt To Add New Declaration To Case Against Westworld Actress, WGA Plans Showrunner Meetings This Week In Advance Of AMPTP Negotiations, Rachael Ray Daytime Talk Show To End After 17 Seasons, Eyes $51M+ Opening In U.S., A Record For Rocky Spinoff Franchise & Amazon, SAG-AFTRA And Casting Directors Weigh In On Self-Tape Controversy, Oscar Winner Guillermo Del Toro On The Films That Lit His Fuse. From 'Nymphomaniac' to 'Little Ashes': Unsimulated Sex Scenes in 36 Films, I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative, Fraser said. Absolutely. His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. We want to hear from you! Ad Choices. I thought I was going to cry," he says. In addition to recognizing 2021's best in film and . Its a privilege to lead this organization as we continue on the path of fundamental change and reform, the Hamburg-born writer Hoehne said Wednesday of her election. president criticizing Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors and likening BLM to a hate group . The allegation comes in a current GQ profile of Fraser titled What Ever Happened to Brendan Fraser?. Actor Brendan Fraser has accused a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group that presents the annual Golden Globe Awards, of groping him at an event in 2003. Olivia Newton-John's daughter Chloe reveals 'promise' she made to mother before her death, Emma Stones 'And' co-star Willem Dafoe had her slap him 20 times to get scene right, Prince Harry's 'attacks' on 'villain' Camilla led to Frogmore Cottage eviction: expert, Film industry reacts to death of 'Saving Private Ryan' star Tom Sizemore: 'You're a legend', Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves take bumpy second flight after 'CHAOS' on Lufthansa plane: 'Wish me luck'. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.". Hoehne was one of the trio of HFPA leaders who took the stage at the less-than-stellar hybrid Globes on February 28 to address the growing discontent with a pledge of basically trust us. Which few did, to put it mildly. Absolutely. ", In May 2021, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association responded to the various critiques levied at them by announcing that they were going to be implementing "radical reform." The actor said he refused to sign, because he "didn't get the joke." There have also been numerous claims that voters are easily swayed. He believes it's partly why his career derailed, and said: "The phone does stop ringing in your career, and you start asking yourself why. of self-dealing, ethical lapses. Brendan Fraser says the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which runs the Golden Globes, pressured him to downplay his allegation that its former president, Philip Berk, groped him in 2003. the first of which spanned from 2003 . But the question now is whether or not this is the sound of HFPA's death rattle. The 2003 Iraq War resulted in some 200,000 to 250,000 civilian deaths, including over 16,000 directly killed by the U.S. military, and left more than a million homeless.The United States has created 37 million refugees around the world. Have I wanted to many, many times? "The Whale" star, 53, won't be attending the 2023 Golden Globe Awards next year even if he's nominated for his role in the highly-praised drama. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. It's unclear whether or not any other stars will follow suit and physically return their own Golden Globes. Brendan Fraser (left) accused former Hollywood Foreign Press President Philip Berk of groping him in 2003. He also said he did not care why Berk touched him. He also wrote about the incident in his memoir, according to People, but Berk said he pinched Fraser in jest.. I felt like a little kid. The HFPA investigated the accusation, but Fraser said the organization declined to share the full results of their investigation with him. Berk tells the magazine that Frasers version is total fabrication. In Berks memoir, he recounts the incident, in which he placed his hand on Frasers butt during a hug, as a jest. In order to be considered, journalists are required to pay a $500 membership fee in addition to being based in Southern California while working for a foreign publication, publishing at least four articles a year. As a member of the HFPA since 1989, he previously served as president in 2003-05. With some even speculating that the IRS has reason to investigate, it's not unlikely that HFPA members may have to do more than attend a few seminars on diversity and sexual harassment. In an interview with GQ published Thursday, Fraser said that he was groped in 2003 by Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organization that hosts the Golden Globes. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. In an interview with GQ, he confessed, "His left hand reaches around, grabs my a** cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. HFPA also maintained that Berk, a 41-year member of HFPA and eight-term former president, faced no disciplinary action and was going to remain an active member of the HFPA. The email itself was an article from conservative commentator David Horowitz's Freedom Center website, FrontPage Mag, although it didn't include a link or a citation and was simply copy-pasted into the body of the email. In 2014, former HFPA president Philip Berk revealed in his memoir that Nicole Kidman received a nomination for "Billy Bathgate" because she did a HFPA interview, while her co-star, Dustin Hoffman, did not and received no nomination as a result. And he starts moving it around. Magazines, Or create a free account to access more articles, Brendan Fraser Says Former Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Assaulted Him. The crisis-plagued Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the body that organises the Golden Globes, has expelled Philip Berk, its former president who sparked widespread outrage by sharing . Fraser, who came forward in February to accuse Berk of sexual misconduct, talked to GQ magazine about his sexual harassment claim with the HFPA. Have I wanted to many, many times? Golden Globes voters in tumult: Members accuse Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. Fraser described in aninterview with GQthe moment that "overcame him with panic and fear.". I felt ill. NEW YORK (AP) The Hollywood Foreign Press Association on Thursday announced reforms to its bylaws and an overhaul of its membership process in a bid to diversify its ranks and potentially restore the heavily criticized Golden Globes. '", Berk, who took a six-month leave of absence from the HFPA in April 2014 following backlash from his memoir but is still a member, denied the claim in an e-mail to GQ, saying: "Mr. Fraser's version is a total fabrication.". It will be his second straight year as head of the organization. Fraser said the incident led to him becoming depressed and messed with his sense of who I was and what I was doing. He also said it affected the trajectory of his career. The HFPA stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article, the associated said in an official statement. I felt like a little kid. And the pattern of men in power hurting the careers of those they have harassed or assaulted is in no way unique to the entertainment industry. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association ( HFPA) addressed their controversial diversity issue, namely the fact that the organization currently has no Black members, during Sunday night's. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is a group of just 87 critics, and the LA Times report said the group has no Black voting members. I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative, he added. Withdraw consent by clicking on the link in any issue. I felt like a little kid. Although it's still up in the air whether or not this might be the final nail in the Golden Globes' coffin, some say that the Golden Globes simply aren't worth saving. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. In a new interview with GQ, "The Mummy" star alleges that the HFPA's Philip Berk assaulted him at the Beverly Hills Hotel in the summer of 2003. Have I stopped myself? But the silence was deafening. Fraser tells GQ he was rarely invited back to the Globes after 2003. Fraser also wondered if the HFPA had blacklisted him. If you need help purchasing a product directly from Allure, go to our FAQ. "And he starts moving it around." Actress Mira Sorvino, for instance, said recently that after being sexually harassed by disgraced former studio head Harvey Weinstein, she was relegated to "the fringes of the Miramax family"; director Peter Jackson even admitted that he blacklisted both Sorvino and actress Ashley Judd, who also has spoken out about being harassed by Weinstein, after Weinstein gave Jackson "false information" about the two actresses. I dont know if this curried disfavor with the group, with the HFPA. Previously on the HFPAs Board of Directors from 2012-19, frequent German TV contributor Hoehne is one of the current board members. Berk reached out to shake The Mummy actor's hand. Absolutely. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. And he starts moving it around. Eventually, he wasable to remove Berk's hand. Do I feel like I need to say something? . Berk, no longer president of the HFPA but still a member, told GQ Fraser'sversion of events "is a total fabrication.. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Fraser then said he removed Berks hand and immediately left the event. It made me feel reclusive. His career seemed on hold. . And in 2019, HFPA members were flown to the set of "Emily in Paris," which later received two nominations. Berk, who is still a member of the HFPA, also did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment but has denied the assault ever happened to The New York Times. Fraser, through his representatives, asked the HFPA for an apology, which Berk says he wrote, but added: "My apology admitted no wrongdoing, the usual 'If I've done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended and I apologize. I Didn't Start Masturbating Until I Was 30. And he starts moving it around, Fraser told the magazine, recalling becomingovercome with panic and fear. head of Hollywood Foreign Press . Fraser previously accused former HFPA President Philip Berk of sexually harassing him at a luncheon in Beverly Hills in 2003, which Berk denies. With less than 100 members, HFPA accepts less than five new members every year, and "any member can veto a newcomer's application in voting done by secret ballot," reports The Washington Post. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association ( HFPA) is a nonprofit organization of journalists [3] and photographers who report on the entertainment industry activity and interests in the United States for media (newspaper, [4] magazine and book publication, television and radio broadcasting) predominantly outside the U.S.