Nine women accused 78-year-old Spanish opera singer and conductor Placido Domingo of sexual harassment, writes the Associated Press. Eight singers and a dancer in an interview with the agency said that the Spaniard molested them at different times since the 1980s. One of the women said that Domingo put his hand under her skirt, the other three - that without their consent he kissed their lips in the dressing room, hotel room and at dinner.
“There is nothing strange in discussing matters at dinner. However, it is strange when someone during a business lunch takes your hand, or puts his hand on your knee. He always somehow touched you or kissed you, ”the agency quotes one of the women.
Eight interlocutors of the agency wished to remain anonymous, fearing that the details of the scandal could tarnish their reputation. Only singer Patricia Wulf, who once performed with Domingo at the Washington Opera House, gave permission to publish her name.
In addition to the nine women mentioned, six more told the AP that the Spaniard was making “indecent offers” to them, which made them “feel uncomfortable.” One singer said that he called her on many occasions after she was invited to perform with him at a series of concerts in the 1990s.
According to the Associated Press, for several decades Domingo allegedly tried to force women to have sex with him in exchange for help with work. In the event of a refusal, he "sometimes punished them professionally," writes AP. Seven of the nine interlocutors of the agency believe that their career was damaged due to unwillingness to enter into a relationship with the singer. Some admit that they have not received the promised roles.
None of the women submitted any documents, such as telephone messages, as evidence of their allegations. However, the agency claims that about thirty dancers, singers, backstage staff, vocal teachers, and other singer-songwriters interviewed by its correspondents saw both Domingo’s persistent interest in young women and his “obscene sexual behavior.”
The singer himself denies the charges against him. In a published statement, Domingo noted that the statements of the interlocutors of AP are at least incorrect. Although the Spaniard admitted that over the past few decades, the rules that should be followed when communicating have changed a lot.
“The statements of these unnamed prosecutors, covering more than thirty years, are deeply disturbing and do not correspond to the truth in the form in which they are stated,” he said.
“Nevertheless, it pains me to hear that I could upset someone or make me feel uncomfortable, no matter how long the incident occurred and despite my best intentions. I was convinced that my communication and my relations were always welcomed and were based on mutual agreement. My friends and colleagues know me as a person who wouldn’t intentionally harm someone, insult someone or put him in an awkward position, ”Domingo added.
The Weinstein Case
A widespread discussion of sexual harassment began with the Weinstein case in 2017, when several dozen Hollywood actresses - including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Lea Seydoux, Uma Thurman and Cara Delevingne - accused producer Harvey Weinstein of harassment. Then their male colleagues, including director Quentin Tarantino and actor Channing Tatum, convicted Weinstein. The scandal led to the divorce of the producer with his wife Georgina Chapman. In May 2019, a preliminary agreement was reached in the case: Weinstein is obliged to pay compensation to the plaintiffs in the amount of $ 44 million.
- Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Cara Delevingne
- © Reuters / Global Look Press
Soon, allegations of harassment of them began to come from men. Actress Asia Argento was on the list of “victims” in the Weinstein case, but she was indicted by the young actor Jimmy Bennet. And the American singer Katy Perry has been accused of indecent behavior by fashion model Josh Kloss.
In January 2019, a trial was held of actor Kevin Spacey, who was accused of harassment by the son of TV presenter Heather Henru William Little. However, the “evidence” of Spacey’s guilt - the video recording and correspondence on the victim’s smartphone - was lost, therefore, on July 18, 2019, the charges were dropped from the actor. Previously, actor Anthony Rapp, director Tony Montana and the Old Vic theater staff complained about the indecent behavior of Kevin Spacey. Spacey repeatedly denied his guilt, but the process has already affected his career: in particular, the actor had to leave the project "House of Cards".