Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. The HFPA said in a statement to GQ, "We conducted an internal review and then took it upon ourselves to commission an independent investigation into the matter to ensure impartiality. Have I wanted to many, many times? Berkclaims he had written a letter to Fraser about the incident claiming that he had done no wrong. 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. Magazines, Digital During a recent appearance on Howard Stern's SiriusXM talk show, Brendan Fraser continued to diss the Golden Globes. Through his reps, Fraser did request a written apology from the HFPA, and Berk told GQ that he did write Fraser a letter but never admitted any wrongdoing. In comparison, members of the film and television academies don't get paid to serve on committees, writes CNET. As a member of the HFPA since 1989, he previously served as president in 2003-05. In the 21st century, according to the Golden Globes, "HFPA members attend more than 300 interviews and countless movie and television screenings throughout each year." His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint, Fraser said. . "His left-hand reaches around grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. "His left hand reaches around, grabs my a** cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint," said Fraser. Get the latest hollywood foreign press association news, articles, videos and photos on the New York Post. 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. 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. 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. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Fraser's story is a reminder that while sexual misconduct is disproportionately experienced by women, it can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or sexuality. "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. "I didn't want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative," he said. I felt like a little kid. What is unusual is a man publicly opening up about experiencing sexual harassment, which is one of the reasons Fraser's account is garnering so much attention. Have I stopped myself? CBS reports that in 2018, Fraser even asked to see the investigation's full report so he'd "know what I'm signing off on," but the HFPA has repeatedly refused to share its report. Oscars 2023: Best Makeup and Hairstyling Predictions "Maybe I am over-reacting in terms of what the instance was. I felt ill, he said, recalling his emotions after he removed Berks hand. I felt like a little kid. I thought I was going to cry.. The HFPA, meanwhile, declined to comment for GQ's story. Its most recent list of nominations didn't include. April 19, 2021 3:30 PM PT. 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. 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. Absolutely. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. 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. According to the Los Angeles Times, NBC also dropped the Golden Globe Awards in 1968, after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found that the awards show "substantially misleads the public as to how the winners were chosen and the procedures followed in choosing them." The story he wants to relay took place, he says, in the summer of 2003, in the Beverly Hills Hotel, at a luncheon held by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization that hosts the . I thought I was going to cry, he says. 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'. In. "And he starts moving it around." Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. 01:57. Berk reached out to shake The Mummy actor's hand. Throughout its history, the HFPA membership has never gone over 100, and as of May 2021 there are 86 members. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks. 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. One member confused Daniel Kaluuya for another Black actor, Leslie Odom Jr., just minutes after Kaluuya's Oscar win, while a former Hollywood Foreign Press president was expelled from the group . And he starts moving it around, Fraser told GQ, adding that he felt overwhelmed with panic and fear. Scarlett Johansson has publicly stated that she will be taking a step back from HFPA-associated events, which she says have frequently involved "facing sexist questions and remarks by certain HFPA members that bordered on sexual harassment." I felt ill. 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. 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. This Article is related to: Film and tagged Brendan Fraser, Sexual Harassment. Berk is still a member of the HFPA. However, in an official statement Friday the HFPA stated that "the report included alleged information that the association had previously been unaware of" and that it "stands firmly against sexual harassmentand type of behavior described in this article.". 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. Helen Hoehne will be the next President of the HFPA, it was revealed today. Fraser went home and told his then-wife, Afton Smith,what happened. Do I feel like I need to say something? Absolutely. 7 Things to Know About This Abuse Tactic. According to The Guardian, Cruise isn't the only entertainer speaking out. Brendan Fraser, who stars in "The Whale," claims former HFPA President Philip Berk sexually assaulted him in 2003. Berk says he just "pinched" the actor. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. A new profile of Fraser by GQ asks the same question, and adds more context to the answer: In an interview with the magazine, Fraser spoke publicly for the first time about his experience of sexual assault, alleging that he was groped by former Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) president Philip Berk in the summer of 2003. Absolutely. On his way out, he met Berk, whose organization votes on the Golden Globes. 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. president criticizing Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors and likening BLM to a hate group . Members ended up returning the watches in response to the criticism regarding the gifts, while USA Films claimed that "the studio got the watches for free and didn't realize how expensive they were.". 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. 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. Allure may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with 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.. The star of the "The Mummy" trilogy and "George of the Jungle" is speaking out again after he told GQ earlier this year that Philip Berk, the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, groped him at a 2003 luncheon in Beverly Hills. According to Fraser, Berk placed his hand on his butt when they hugged at an HFPA luncheon. User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and I felt like there was a ball in my throat. 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. Out in the cold with the likes of Netflix, Amazon, WarnerMedia and other studios and networks, plus essentially boycotted by top flacks and hence their top-tier clients, the HFPAs new president plans to begin a charm offensive to convince Hollywood stakeholders that things trulyhave changed for the better at the organization. Mr. IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. But now that PR firms and entertainers are also standing up and voicing their disapproval with the organization, the tide may be turning for the HFPA. Brendan Fraser (left) accused former Hollywood Foreign Press President Philip Berk of groping him in 2003. In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me.. "I felt ill. I thought I was going to cry. Frasers version is a total fabrication, he also said in a statement to GQ, acknowledging that he wrote a letter to Fraser about the alleged incident. The actor said he refused to sign, because he "didn't get the joke." In a group email with HFPA members, Berk reportedly. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) on Sunday announced the winners of the 79th Annual Golden Globe Awards, from the Beverly Hilton. In a recent statement with GQ, Berk called Fraser's story "a total fabrication." Vote for your favorite beauty products now! Berk was the president of theHollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization behind the Golden Globe Awards. Brendan Fraser Says Lost Superman Role Would've Been 'Faustian Bargain' Anyway: 'I'm Not a One-Trick Pony' He claims in 2003, he was sexually assaulted by Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Philip Berk. In the interview, Fraser said that at an HFPA luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Berk reached out his hand to shake Fraser's, then went much further. I felt like a little kid. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. That's when they came up with the idea for the Golden Globe Awards. However some, like Alexander Nevsky, joined because they were "just plain curious.". Absolutely. Berk, who is still a member of the HFPA, told the magazine that Frasers version of events is a total fabrication and has previously denied grabbing the actor to the New York Times. I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative. HFPA/GG will store your name and email address and use them to send the Weekly Globe newsletter. According to the BBC, Berk "forwarded it as a point of information," though after seeing the consequences of his actions Berk later said that he "regretted sending the email.". Brendan Fraser is sharing his own Me Too experience and says a 15-year-old assault may have contributed to the derailment of his career. There have also been numerous claims that voters are easily swayed. This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.. Berk, no longer president of the HFPA but still a member, told GQ Fraser'sversion of events "is a total fabrication.. And he starts moving it around, Fraser told GQ. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group behind the Golden Globes, has approved a new set of bylaws, in an effort to remedy the diversity and ethical issues that sparked. Absolutely, he says. For the HFPA, the Golden Globe Awards were meant to be a way to "boost their profile." Fraser refused to sign off on the joint statement and maintained, "I don't get the joke.". I felt ill. In the same interview, Fraser claimed that he was sexually assaulted by Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, in 2003. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital 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. I thought I was going to cry," Fraser said. As a member of the HFPA since 1989, he previously served as president in 2003-05. The HFPA stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article, the associated said in an official statement. Influencers: Profiles of a Partnership 2022, How to Pitch Stories and Articles to IndieWire, Leslie Grace Disagrees with Claim 'Batgirl' Was 'Unreleasable': There Was 'Potential for a Good Film', Brendan Fraser Says Lost Superman Role Would've Been 'Faustian Bargain' Anyway: 'I'm Not a One-Trick Pony', Oscars 2023: Best Makeup and Hairstyling Predictions, From 'Nymphomaniac' to 'Little Ashes': Unsimulated Sex Scenes in 36 Films. 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 . September 8, 2021 4:57pm Courtesy HFPA Fighting to stay alive, the beleaguered Hollywood Foreign Press Association has elected a nearly 20-year veteran to lead the group into what may or may. Philip Berk, 88, had been a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) for 44 years and its president for eight years. All Rights Reserved. ", The Shady Truth About The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Hollywood Foreign Press Association: A History. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Berk was the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization behind the Golden Globe Awards.