A week after Asia Argento was accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old and subsequently paying him a $380,000 settlement, Argentos friend and fellow #MeToo leader Rose McGowan released a lengthy statement expressing her own surprise over the allegations.
“The reason I havent released a statement [yet] is because Ive frankly been extremely humbled by this event,” wrote McGowan, referencing actor Jimmy Bennetts claims that Argento sexually assaulted him in a hotel room in 2017, when he was 17 and the actress was 37. “I had to take a step back and realize that in my own activism while I fight hard with passion—I need to evolve.”
McGowan noted her support of Bennett and distanced herself from Argento—noting that the two only bonded over the last year because of the “shared experience” of the Harvey Weinstein allegations. (Argento and McGowan were two of the first women to publicly accuse the producer of sexual assault. Weinstein has denied all claims of nonconsensual sex.)
“What was hard,” McGowan said of her reaction to the allegations, “was the shell shock of the realization that everything the MeToo movement stood for was about to be in jeopardy.”
McGowan said she only learned peripherally about Bennett in the days after the suicide of Argentos boyfriend Anthony Bourdain in June. McGowan had rushed to Argentos side, and it was during that period of mourning when Argento told McGowan “that she was being extorted for a large sum of money every month by someone who was blackmailing [her] with a provocative image.”
“No one in the room knew who the extortionist was,” McGowan said. “Now we know it to be a reference to this case.”
McGowan also introduced a third character into this tangled web of allegations—Rain Dove, a model whom McGowan is dating. McGowan said that Argento confided new details to Dove while consulting with them over text message about her relationship with Bennett. Per McGowan, “Asia had stated that shed been receiving unsolicited nudes of Jimmy since he had been 12. Asia mentioned in these texts that she didnt take any action on those images. No reporting to authorities, to the parents, or blocking of Jimmys social media. Not even a simple message Dont send me these images. They are inappropriate.”
McGowan said that she supported Doves decision to take these messages to the police, and suggested that these texts are the ones published by TMZ last week between Argento and an unknown second party discussing the actresss encounter with Bennett.
“Its sad to lose a friend connection, but whats even more sad is what happened to Jimmy Bennet,” McGowan wrote in closing. “Asia you were my friend. I loved you. Youve spent and risked a lot to stand with the MeToo movement. I really hope you find your way through this process to rehabilitation and betterment. Anyone can be better—I hope you can be, too. Do the right thing. Be honest. Be fair. Let justice stay its course. Be the person you wish Harvey could have been.”
Hours before McGowan released the statement, Argento was fired from X Factor Italy, on which she had been a judge.
Last week, The New York Times broke the story that Argento had paid her accuser, Bennett, $380,000 following a 2013 encounter. Argento has denied the assault allegation and claimed that Bourdain paid the settlement on her behalf to quiet the situation and help Bennett out financially—not because the assault allegations were true.
Vanity Fair has reached out to Dove, Argento, and Bennett for comment.
Read McGowans full statement below.
*I would first of all like to start off this statement saying thank you for your patience. A lot of people have been demanding answers and a response to the recent events surrounding Asia Argentos sexual assault case. Many people believe that because we have been close in each others lives over the past year that perhaps I am affiliated with this incident or being complicit. I am not.
I first met Asia on a red carpet, but its only been the past year through our shared experience of the HW case that we have bonded. Asia was a person who understood my trauma in a way that many others didnt. We were able to talk through them together and champion each others voices. We even got matching dot tattoos! Something I had posted on my IG just about a month ago. Its no secret to anyone that Im a blunt, candid, brazen individual vocally- and I think thats what I really related to Asia the most with. They were edgy, confrontational, and strong willed with very little care about how much others liked or disliked them. Rare things to find in women in this industry or the world.
But then everything changed. In an instant. I received a phone call and series of messages from the being Ive been dating- Rain Dove. They said that they had been texting with Asia and that Asia had revealed that she had indeed slept with Jimmy Bennet. Rain also shared that Asia had stated that shed been receiving unsolicited nudes of Jimmy since he had been 12. Asia mentioned in these texts that she didnt take any action on those images. No reporting to authorities, to the parents, or blocking of Jimmys social media. Not even a simple message “Dont send me these images. They are inappropriate.” There were a few other details revealed as well that I am not at liberty to mention in this statement as investigators do their job.
Rain Dove said that they were going to go to the police with these texts once we were done speaking no matter what. But that they wanted me to be aware of them so that I may be able to take further actions. I responded with “You have to. You must.” I wasted no time. It wasnt hard to say or support. What was hard was the shell shock of the realisation that everything the MeToo movement stood for was about to be in jeopardy. An hour after our conversation was finished Rain Dove confirmed that they had turned over the texts and were in conversation with officers. Almost 48 hours later the texts were in the press.
I had introduced Rain Dove to Asia Argento last month, three days after the passing of Anthony Bourdain. I was with Asia to comfort and support her. Rain Dove came to support us both. It was an emotionally chaotic time and Rain Dove suggested we go to Berlin for a couple days to take the mourning out of Asias home and into a neutral space. So we did. While in Berlin Asia had mentioned that she was being extorted for a large sum of money every month by someone who was blackmailing them with a provocative image. No one in the room knew who the extortionist was. Now we know it to be a reference to this case.
Rain Dove continued on communicating with Asia occasionally after meeting her- and their conversations have been their own. I know Rain is a person to whom many high profile entities consult when they are experiencing social pressures because Rain is good at guiding them through the research confrontation, rehabilitation, and solution process. While they are a person who is good at keeping a secret for those dedicated to making things right- they are also justice driven. So it was not a surprise to me that I received that call and the messages from them. Ive referred to Asia in the past as “My Ride or Die” and said very clearly that their friendship comes first. I know that coming to me with those messages must have been hard for Rain because of that so I commend them for their bravery.
To the people who have checked in with me to see if Im alright- the answer is thank you and Yes. Ill be fine. Its sad to lose a friend connection, but whats even more sad is what happened to Jimmy Bennet. Whether or not the extortion case is true- it wasnt fair and it wasnt right. It is the type of thing I fight against alongside so many. The reason I havent released a statement is because Ive frankly been extremely humbled by this event. I had to take a step back and realise that in my own activism while I fight hard with passion- I need to evolve. In the past I have been occasionally angry. As a victim I was justified in fiery feelings. But I know that those accused are the friends, parents, and family members of other people. There absolutely should be no leeway or tolerance for sexual assault. Hard stop. NONE. Victims also shouldnt be told how they should react or what they should say about their abusers. However as allies to the victim and voyeurs of an event we should find a better way to balance support of the victim with due process for the accused. Ive never claimed to be perfect. This week especially has made me come to terms with the fact that we all have a lot of growing to do, including myself.
At this current moment it may be easy to focus on the drama of the situation. The conspiracy. But the real focus should be on supporting justice. Supporting honesty. And supporting each other. We can not let this moment break the momentum of a movement that has freed so many people. We must use it to allow us to become stronger. More compassionate. More aware. And More organised.
Asia you were my friend. I loved you. Youve spent and risked a lot to stand with the MeToo movement. I really hope you find your way through this process to rehabilitation and betterment. Anyone can be be better- I hope you can be, too. Do the right thing. Be honest. Be fair. Let justice stay its course. Be the person you wish Harvey could have been.*
Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Julie MillerJulie Miller is a Senior Hollywood writer for Vanity Fairs website.
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