Jeremy Piven has become the latest in a long line of Hollywood actors, directors and producers to be accused of sexual assault. The former Entourage star is now facing allegations from reality TV personality/actress Ariane Bellamar, who claims that the incident in question took place during Piven’s time on the aforementioned HBO show.
In a series of Tweets, Bellamar accused the actor of groping and fondling her, saying:
Hey @jeremypiven! ‘Member when you cornered me in your trailer on the #Entourage set? ‘Member grabbing my boobies on the 🛋 without asking??
— Ariane Bellamar (@ArianeBellamar) October 30, 2017
‘Member when I tried to leave; you grabbed me by the ass, looked at yourself in the mirror, & said what a ‘beautiful couple’ we made? #MeToo https://t.co/liD7irs0o0
— Ariane Bellamar (@ArianeBellamar) October 30, 2017
Jeremy Piven, on two occasions, cornered me & forcefully fondled my breasts & bum. Once at the mansion & once on set. #MeToo @AriMelber @CNN https://t.co/liD7irs0o0
— Ariane Bellamar (@ArianeBellamar) October 30, 2017
Responding to these claims, HBO issued the following statement:
“Today, via the press reports, is the first we are hearing about Ariane Bellamar’s allegations concerning Jeremy Piven. Everyone at HBO and our productions is aware that zero tolerance for sexual harassment is our policy. Anyone experiencing an unsafe working environment has several avenues for making complaints that we take very seriously.”
Meanwhile, Piven himself denies the allegations, stating:
“I unequivocally deny the appalling allegations being peddled about me. It did not happen… It takes a great deal of courage for victims to come forward with their histories, and my hope is that the allegations about me that didn’t happen, do not detract from stories that should be heard.”
It’s tough to say who’s telling the truth here, and it’s not our job to make that decision, either. Regardless, it’s clear that there’s a very serious problem in Hollywood at the moment and with the floodgates now having been opened ever since Harvey Weinstein came under fire, it seems as if things are only just getting started.
Tell us, though, what do you make of all this? Do you think Jeremy Piven‘s telling the truth? Sound off in the usual place!
