head of Hollywood Foreign Press . Brendan Fraser is the latest actor to come forward with his story of sexual assault in the wake of the #MeToo and Times Up movement. I thought I was going to cry. According to Deadline, in 2013, the HFPA settled a suit with its former publicist Michael Russell. Fraser's account is disconcertingly reminiscent of reports from women in Hollywood who have spoken out about experiencing professional retaliation after being harassed or assaulted. 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. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is a group of just 87 critics, and the LA Times report said the group has no Black voting members. Berk is still a member of the HFPA. "And he starts moving it around." 344 Hollywood Foreign Press Associations Cecil B Demille Award Announcement Premium High Res Photos Browse 344 hollywood foreign press associations cecil b demille award announcement stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Fraser debated going public with the story but ultimately decided to remain silent out of fear of public humiliation and damaging his career. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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 . Berk says he just "pinched" the actor. 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.". Its most recent list of nominations didn't include. He rushed home and told his wife about the encounter, but was afraid to go public with the incident. (Berk denies that the HFPA retaliated against Fraser, telling GQ, His career declined through no fault of ours). In response to the cancellation, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association released a new and improved timeline of the "transformational changes" they plan to implement, noting that they will happen "regardless of the next air date of the Golden Globes.". Have I wanted to many, many times? In February 2021, the Los Angeles Times revealed that among the almost 90 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, there are no Black members, despite the group's own motto being "Unity without discrimination of religion or race." 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. According to The New York Times, as a tax-exempt non-profit, "payments to members for their work for the organization are legal as long as they are considered reasonable." Berk, who has admitted to pinching Fraser's behind, denied that the incident went beyond that, saying, "Mr. Fraser's version is a total fabrication.". The wing was named for the HFPA international journalists based in Southern California who cover Hollywood and host the Despite his inappropriate behavior, Philip Berk stayed on as a part of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Helen Hoehne will be the next President of the HFPA, it was revealed today. In recounting this incident to GQ, Fraser stated that "his left hand reaches around, grabs my a** cheek, and one of his fingers touches me And he starts moving it around." I felt like there was a ball in my throat. Lorenzo Soria has been re-elected president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for the 2016-2017 year. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! In the end, as one insider notes, "I don't think anyone will touch this with a 10-foot pole until they get their act together." 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.". 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. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. We want to hear from you! User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint," Fraser told GQ. 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. There have also been numerous claims that voters are easily swayed. Jonathan Majors on Oscar Favorites, Bad Reviews, and the Road Trip That Made Him Realize He Was a Star, The Best Picture Race Got a Lot More Confusing This Week, Tom Cruise Made the Rounds This Week, but Other Oscar Nominees Got More Applause Than Top Gun: Maverick, How Michael B. 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", In response to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's inability to come up with effective reforms, both Netflix and Amazon stated that they would be boycotting the 2022 Golden Globe Awards. 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'. NEW YORK (AP) The Hollywood Foreign Press Association on Thursday announced reforms to its bylaws and an overhaul of its membership process in a bid to diversify its ranks and potentially restore the heavily criticized Golden Globes. Between 2002 and 2018, only five Golden Globe Awards had at least one BIPOC acting winner. We've shared the results of that investigation with Mr. Fraser, and again apologized, but also conveyed our need to abide by the investigation's finding that the exchange was not an intended sexual advance. The incident happened in public at a summer luncheon held by the HFPA (which hosts the Golden Globes annually). Fraser didn't attend this year's Golden Globes, despite being nominated . He claims in 2003, he was sexually assaulted by Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Philip Berk. However, he said the note did not admit anything. 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. The alleged groping occurred at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Market data provided by Factset. In February, Fraser told GQ that in 2003, as he was leaving a luncheon held by the HFPA at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Berk stopped him and shook his hand. Allure may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with ", In May 2021, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association responded to the various critiques levied at them by announcing that they were going to be implementing "radical reform." I was blaming myself and I was miserablebecause I was saying, This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel. That summer wore onand I cant remember what I went on to work on next., Fraser says the experience made me retreat. 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. Berk reached out to shake The Mummy actor's hand. 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. I didn't want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative," he says now. As the Golden Globes-presenting group hopes to find its way back into a Tinseltown power position, old-guarder Hoehne has her work cut out for her especially with NBC having pulled the plug on the 2022 Globes in May as the organization became mired in more and more controversy over its members/ behavior and its lack of a single Black member. In his suit, Russell alleged that the HFPA "abuse their positions and engage in unethical and potentially unlawful deals and arrangements which amount to a payola scheme" and claimed that he was fired after he brought these issues up with then-president Phillip Berk. I felt ill. ADVERTISEMENT Amid outcry, NBC says it will not air Golden Globes in 2022 By JAKE COYLE May 10, 2021 All Rights Reserved. Meher Tatna is president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which created the Golden Globe Awards in 1944. . Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I thought I was going to cry.. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. From 'Nymphomaniac' to 'Little Ashes': Unsimulated Sex Scenes in 36 Films, I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative, Fraser said. You have reached your limit of 4 free articles. ", Andrea is an entertainment producer at CBSNews.com, First published on June 7, 2018 / 2:27 PM. Magazines, Or create a free account to access more articles, Brendan Fraser Says Former Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Assaulted Him. And he starts moving it around. Fraser can be seen asJames Fletcher Chace in Danny Boyles FX series Trust, which debuts March 25. Then, Fraser said, Berk groped him. "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." Leslie Grace Disagrees with Claim 'Batgirl' Was 'Unreleasable': There Was 'Potential for a Good Film' Absolutely. 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. "I felt ill. I felt ill. In order to be considered, journalists are required to pay a $500 membership fee in addition to being based in Southern California while working for a foreign publication, publishing at least four articles a year. But his career has noticeably waned over the past decade, leading journalists and commenters to ask multiple variations of the same question: What happened to Brendan Fraser? Do I feel like I need to say something? And as soon as the HFPA had done the bare minimum, they were back in NBC's good graces. President Lorenzo Soria, who oversaw the organization that puts on the annual Golden Globe Awards, has died. I think it was. The 2003 Iraq War resulted in some 200,000 to 250,000 civilian deaths, including over 16,000 directly killed by the U.S. military, and left more than a million homeless.The United States has created 37 million refugees around the world. Brendan Fraser became the latest actor to speak out about his own #MeToo experience this week as Hollywood continues to address its problems with sexual assault and harassment. Absolutely. Now the new president is hoping for a clean slate. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. This announcement came at the heels of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's (HFPA) inability to come up with adequate reforms to address the various criticisms levied at the organization. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. According to Fraser, the assault happened when Berk reached out to shake Frasers hand on his way out of the hotel. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Oscars 2023: Best Makeup and Hairstyling Predictions LOS ANGELES - The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which hosts the Golden Globes, is under fire after a former president of the organization sent an anti-Black Lives Matter email.