“You use extreme violence.”
Actor Terry Crews, months after accusing an agent of groping him in 2016, said Hollywood is “like a plantation” and a “violent place” for people who — like him — come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.
In October 2017, the “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star stunned Tinseltown when he claimed WME agent Adam Venit sexually assaulted him by groping his crotch. Ever since he accused Venit, Crews recently told BuzzFeed News, he has been somewhat of a pariah in the entertainment industry.
“I walk in the room, and the room is split right down the middle,” Crews said. “It just divides right there. It’s kind of like lightning.”
The 49-year-old actor said he was on the set of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” when he decided to send out the series of tweets detailing his alleged encounter with Venit. Crews said he didn’t contact his friends, his manager, or his wife before posting the tweets.
In fact, Crews — who was inspired by the number of women who came forward as part of the #MeToo movement — said many in Hollywood, allegedly including “Expendables” producer Avi Lerner, urged him to stay quiet about his claims.
But Crews spoke anyway:
“People don’t understand that Hollywood is a very violent place. The best way to put it is that it’s like a plantation. You use extreme violence. You see a lot of people who never work again. For even speaking up the whole thing is that they cut your head off so that the next person doesn’t speak.”
After investigating Crews’ claims, the Los Angeles Police Department announced in early March it would not be charging Venit. Crews did, however, sue Venit and WME. Those lawsuits are still ongoing.
Crews said he plans to continue the fight — even if it costs him his career.
“What I’ve been doing is just exposing. If this is the end of my career, just end it now,” he said. “’Cause I’m gonna keep living, I’m gonna keep doing my thing. But if I don’t do another ‘Expendables,’ then let’s not do another one.
“I’m OK with that,” Crews added.
As one of the few men who have come forward alleging sexual misconduct, the Hollywood star said he “can’t be silent.”
“I feel like my whole career was basically for this moment,” Crews said.
