I felt like there was a ball in my throat. But the silence was deafening. Fraser tells GQ he was rarely invited back to the Globes after 2003. Dave Quinn is an Editor for PEOPLE, working across a number of verticals including the Entertainment, Lifestyle and News teams. I thought I was going to cry. In May 2021, NBC announced that it wouldn't be broadcasting the following year's Golden Globe Awards (via USA Today). 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And he starts moving it around. 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. Hollywood Foreign Press Association Grants Cal State Northridge $2 Lorenzo Soria, Hollywood Foreign Press Association President, Dies at 68 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. 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. I thought I was going to cry. The HFPA investigated the accusation, but Fraser said the organization declined to share the full results of their investigation with him. Meher Tatna is president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which created the Golden Globe Awards in 1944. . Despite his inappropriate behavior, Philip Berk stayed on as a part of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Fraser then said he removed Berks hand and immediately left the event. Fraser told GQ that he was overcome by panic and fear in the moment. Brendan Fraser: Golden Globes Org Called My Sexual Assault - HuffPost Berk tells the magazine the HFPA never retaliated against Fraser: His career declined through no fault of ours., Am I still frightened? The alleged groping occurred at the Beverly Hills Hotel. president criticizing Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors and likening BLM to a hate group . Lorenzo Soria, the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association which runs the Golden Globe Awards died Friday at his Los Angeles home, a family member told Variety. US Hegemony and Its Perils - : And he starts moving it around, Fraser told GQ, adding that he felt overwhelmed with panic and fear. 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. The elevation of the groups VP to the top job of the 80-member-plus organization comes just under two weeks after the HFPA expanded its Board of Directors to 15 in the latest of a series of reform endeavors by the much-scorned group. All rights reserved. HFPA President Lorenzo Soria expressed his enthusiasm and hopes for what the grant bestowed upon CSUN will bring. I thought I was going to cry, he told the magazine. Anne Thompson Screenrant reports that WarnerMedia also joined the boycott and in their official press release, "called the HFPA out for a history of sexist, racist, and homophobic questions directed at actors and creatives at past press events.". Winners included Paul Lukas, Jennifer Jones, and the film "The Song of Bernadette." 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. And after being broadcast on the radio for 14 years, on February 26, 1958, the Golden Globe Awards were televised for the first time. I felt like a little kid. 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. Actor Brendan Fraser accused the former president of theHollywood Foreign Press Association of sexually assaulting him in 2003, the latest in a string of people to speak out in the #MeToo and Times Up movements. Lorenzo Soria, president of Hollywood Foreign Press Association, dead at 68 Between 2002 and 2018, only five Golden Globe Awards had at least one BIPOC acting winner. On May 10, 2021, it seemed like the industry heads were taking note when NBC announced that they wouldn't be broadcasting the 2022 Golden Globe Awards. Forbes also mentions that with "anemic ratings and dwindling ad dollars," it's unclear if the Golden Globes is even worth the $60 million NBC pays to license the show. An email sent Sunday by a former Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. Brendan Fraser claims he was groped in 2003 by Philip Berk, then president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, an experience Fraser says left him depressed and miserable. or redistributed. According to Fraser, the assault happened when Berk reached out to shake Frasers hand on his way out of the hotel. 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.". This is the shady truth about the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. 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. All Rights Reserved. Hollywood Foreign Press Association | New York Post Terry Crews is suing the Hollywood agent he accused of groping him last year at an industry event. Even after speaking about his allegations, Fraser still feels uneasy. Brendan Fraser Won't Attend the Golden Globes Following Hollywood In a recent statement with GQ, Berk called Fraser's story "a total fabrication." Brendan Fraser Alleges HFPA President Sexually Assaulted Him - Peoplemag Mr. Absolutely," he said. Brendan Fraser was sexually assaulted in 2003 by Phil Berk, the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization that hosts the Golden Globes. I felt like a little kid. Berk has repeatedly claimed that all he did was jokingly pinch Fraser's butt. In addition to setting up a hotline to report violations, the HFPA planned to increase membership over the course of 18 months, in addition to "creating a list of [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] consultants.". And he starts moving it around, Fraser claimed. The organization drew widespread criticism for this year's slate of . ", Kourtney Kardashian Shut Down a Fan Who Asked If She's Pregnant and Ignited a Debate About Women's Bodies. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me., The HFPA responded late Thursday, saying in a statement that the group "stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article. "His left hand reaches around, grabs my a** cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint," said Fraser. 344 Hollywood Foreign Press Associations Cecil B Demille Award Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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'. (Reuters). And as soon as the HFPA had done the bare minimum, they were back in NBC's good graces. 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 . Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Related 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. In March 2021, the HFPA responded to the criticism by pledging to "increase membership to a minimum of 100 members this year, with a requirement that at least 13 percent of the membership be Black journalists," writes The Wrap. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. After Fraser spoke publicly about the incident in 2018, HFPA conducted an investigation into the incident. 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. The actor said that the incident made him reclusive and he retreated from public life. Fraser, who came forward in February to accuse Berk of sexual misconduct, talked to GQ magazine about his sexual harassment claim with the HFPA. "By the end of 2020, the association was collectively paying nearly $100,000 a month to members serving on more than a dozen different committees." Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. / CBS News. It made me feel reclusive." 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 addition to recognizing 2021's best in film and . Fraser went home and told his then-wife, Afton Smith,what happened. All Rights Reserved. Fraser said that the alleged assault left him feeling "ill," "like a little kid," and "like someone had thrown invisible paint on me." He previously. That's when they came up with the idea for the Golden Globe Awards. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage). And he starts moving it around. Absolutely.". The actor, 49, who can be seen next month in FX's Getty family drama Trust,says the experience messed with his sense of who I was and what I was doing. Work, he says, withered on the vine for me. I thought I was going to cry, he says. 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. An investigation by the Los Angeles Times in February 2021 revealed that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association pays out almost $2 million to its members annually. Please enter valid email address to continue. While there may seem like an over-saturation of award shows in 2021, at the time, they wouldn't have had any other awards shows to compete with, other than the Academy Awards and a few critics groups. Soria died Friday at his home in Los Angeles, according. Hollywood Foreign Press Association under fire after former president In response, both MRC and NBC, both of which are involved in the production and broadcasting of the Golden Globe Awards, demanded Berk's expulsion from the HFPA, and two days after sending the email Berk was removed from the HFPA after 44 years of membership. Berk is still a member of the HFPA. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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. 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.". "His left-hand reaches around grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. Absolutely. 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. Its most recent list of nominations didn't include. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. 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 alleged incident left Fraser overcome with panic and fear. ", The Shady Truth About The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Hollywood Foreign Press Association: A History. ", "Am I still frightened? I Didn't Start Masturbating Until I Was 30. On his way out, he met Berk, whose organization votes on the Golden Globes. It will be his second straight year as head of the organization. It's unclear whether or not any other stars will follow suit and physically return their own Golden Globes. Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. In 2003 he began researching the business case for climate action for the . Madonna Is Pissed That People Focused on Her Face at the Grammys, "I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career. There was also an incident in 1999, when HFPA members were gifted $400 Coach watches by USA Films. However it's possible that this might send a message to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, especially since Cruise isn't known for protests, while HFPA is known for monopolizing the time of leading entertainers. 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. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock. The incident took place at a luncheon hosted by the association, and Fraser alleges that when Berk reached out to shake his hand, the man instead grabbed Frasers butt. 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. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. Am I still frightened? Berk reached out to shake The Mummy actor's hand. In. According to. Have I wanted to many, many times? I felt like a little kid. The 88-year-old Berk, who served eight terms as HFPA president and was a member of the association for 44 years, sent an email sharing the post with the association's members, staff, general . I felt like a little kid. Brendan Fraser accuses former HFPA president of groping him in 2003 The actor immediately left the luncheon and went home to his wife, who he said he told about the interaction. "It made me feel reclusive," the . Johansson's"Avengers" co-star Mark Ruffalo has also voiced criticism of the HFPA, claiming that "honestly, as a recent winner of a Golden Globe, I cannot feel proud or happy about being a recipient of this award," per the BBC. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This also isn't the first time that NBC has declined to broadcast the Golden Globes. In the midst of a crowded room, Fraser says, Berk reached out to shake the actor'shand, but instead grabbed his butt. ", Related: Peter Jackson seems to confirm Weinstein blacklisted Mira Sorvino, Ashley Judd, Fraser added that he was emboldened to come forward by the #MeToo and Time's Up movements, saying: "I know Rose [McGowan], I know Ashley [Judd], I know Mira [Sorvino] I've worked with them. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The wing was named for the HFPA international journalists based in Southern California who cover Hollywood and host the 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. Helen Hoehne Re-Elected President of HFPA - Variety The only other time Berk was exiled from the group was in 2014, when he took a six month leave of absence after his memoir came out. 7 Things to Know About This Abuse Tactic. This came after the 2021 Golden Globe Awards, which notably snubbed Black-led projects such as "Judas and the Black Messiah," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," and "One Night in Miami." Absolutely, he tells GQ. History and future met for a close-up on Sept. 15 in the newly dedicated Hollywood Foreign Press Association wing of California State University, Northridge's Manzanita Hall. Phil Berk is no longer a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association," the HFPA board added in a statement released yesterday (April 20). 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. 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 . Brendan Fraser alleges HFPA ex-president sexually assaulted him Leslie Grace Disagrees with Claim 'Batgirl' Was 'Unreleasable': There Was 'Potential for a Good Film' There have also been numerous claims that voters are easily swayed. 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. Brendan Fraser is the latest actor to come forward with his story of sexual assault in the wake of the #MeToo and Times Up movements. the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press . Fraser said when the group approached him and asked him to sign off on the statement, "What I said to them was, 'Show me the investigator's report, and then I'll know what I'm signing off on.'" 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. April 19, 2021 3:30 PM PT. The former "Mummy" star said that he panicked. All rights reserved, UN Report: How Florida is Fueling Haiti's Arms Trafficking Crisis, Philippine Provincial Governor Shot Dead by Gunmen While Meeting Villagers, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. Magazines, Digital Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., Lorenzo Soria re-elected president - The "I felt like a little kid. His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. Brendan Fraser accuses former head of Hollywood Foreign Press Fraser is not the only male star taking action over assault claims. HOLLYWOOD, CA Lorenzo Soria, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association which presents the Golden Globes each year, died at age 68 on Friday. 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 . Golden Globes Do I feel like I need to say something? . Write to Abigail Abrams at abigail.abrams@time.com. IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. Berk recounted the incident in his memoir "With Signs and Wonders," but said he pinched Fraser's behind as a joke. Brendan Fraser promotes 'Trust' after alleging misconduct 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. We want to reiterate that the HFPA understands todayas it did 15 years agothat what Mr. Fraser experienced was inappropriate. All Rights Reserved. Brendan Fraser is sharing his own Me Too experienceand says a 15-year-oldassault may have contributed to the derailment of his career. As Vox puts it, foreign journalists felt like they were being shut out compared to local journalists, which they likely were due to xenophobic discrimination during World War II. "Do I feel like I need to say something? But there also continues to be genuine bafflement about how things escalated to this point. I thought I was going to cry," he says. Hollywood Foreign Press Association Wing Dedicated With Stories of