'He tried to rape me,' says new Harvey Weinstein accuser

SCREEN CAPTURE / NBC

Rowena Chiu talks about Harvey Weinstein on the Today Show.

A former Harvey Weinstein employee, Rowena Chiu, accused her former boss on The Today Show Monday of trying to rape her in 1998. She had waited until now because of nondisclosure agreement (NDA), which she says she was finally ready to go public with what she experienced.

"Harvey [Weinstein] is very persistent," Chiu said Monday (Sept. 9). "He has a tendency to cajole... he's a very big guy, he pushed me back against the bed and I was petrified and terrified as he tried to rape me."

Despite the NDA, Chiu was inspired to tell her story because of  the bravery of Christine Blasey Ford's testimony against eventual Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Chiu's experience was first outlined in "She Said," an upcoming book by journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor.

From an interview in the Huffington Post:

Chiu’s story first appeared in journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor’s upcoming book, “She Said,” which tracks the reporting that led up to the Me Too reckoning in the fall of 2017. “She Said” hits stores this week.

In the book, Chiu describes struggling with depression and a suicide attempt in the 20 years since the assault. She told “Today” that she decided to break the non-disclosure agreement now because she simply hadn’t been ready to speak up about her experience earlier.

“The NDA asked us to keep a secret about something that happened to me while I was working for 20 years, and that in itself was a very difficult thing to do,” she said. ”...When this story broke in the press about two years ago, I wasn’t ready. ... I felt intimidated. I felt terrified. I didn’t know what the repercussions would be both legally and personally, and so it really has taken all of two years to square some of those things away both in terms of my own personal life, in terms of coming forward and speaking to my parents, speaking to my husband, speaking to my closest friends.”

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The accusations against Harvey Weinstein's sexual misconduct, strongly rumored in the movie industry, spurred the launching of #MeToo movement to end sexual harassment and mistreatment of women in Hollywood.

More than 90 women have accused the former mogul of sexual harassment and/or sexual assault. Weinstein has denied all the allegations. His court appointments are slated for 2020.

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Aziz Ansari addresses sexual misconduct charges in hs Netflix standup special

NETFLIX

Aziz Ansari started out his Netflix special on serious note, addressing the sexual misconduct charges of a year ago.

ASAM NEWS
Aziz Ansari’s new Netflix special, “Aziza Ansari: Right Now,” became available for streaming Tuesday, (July 9). The comedy special opened and ended on a serious note as Ansari addressed the sexual misconduct allegations made against him in 2018.

The Indian American comedian wasted no time by beginning the show with remarks that made headlines ahead of the special’s release.

“There’s times I felt scared, there’s times I felt humiliated, there’s times I felt embarrassed, and ultimately, I just felt terrible that this person felt this way,” Ansari somberly told the audience. “And after a year or so, I just hope it was a step forward.”

Ansari also made sure to communicate to his audience how important addressing the allegations was to him.

“I know this isn’t the most hilarious way to begin a comedy show, but it’s important to me that you know how I feel about that whole thing before we share this night together,” Ansari said.

At times he included small jokes about the allegations. In one comedic bit, Ansari said he jokingly tries to deflect the allegations off of himself and onto Hasan Minaj.

Ansari also addressed other sexual assault allegations made against R. Kelley and Michael Jackson, TIME reports. Here Ansari engaged the artist vs their art debate. Are we allowed to appreciate their work while also acknowledging their misconduct?

“What if, in 1999, Osama bin Laden put out an incredible jazz album?” Ansari asked.

Ansari also critiqued “virtue-signaling,” which arguably played a role in the criticism Ansari faced himself.

“They don’t really care about learning, exploring, discussing,” Ansari said. “They just wanna chime in with their little programmed reactions. They already know what they think about everything.”

As he brought the special to close, Ansari reflected on the impact the allegations had on his career.

“I saw the world where I don’t ever get to do this again,” Ansari said.

He tells the audience that “all we have is the moment we have and the people we’re with.”

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Aziz Ansari returning to Netflix

Comedian Aziz Ansari is back on Netflix but it won't be in his popular sitcom Master of None.
Ansari is returning to Netflix with a new stand-up special, four years after his previous special streamed on the platform and two years after the second season of Master of None ended.

The new special, titled Aziz Ansari: Right Now, is set to drop July 9 on the streamer and is being helmed by Her and Being John Malkovich director Spike Jonze.
It is the first time he's been back on Netflix since a sexual misconduct allegation derailedd his career path. The accusation came from an article on Babe.net which gave the account of a woman who went on a date with Ansari, but felt pressured into sexual activity despite her verbal and physical cues of discomfort.

Ansari assumed a lower profile after the article, but has been making appearances this year, including a New York comedy show in February, where he called the incident “a terrifying thing to talk about;” a Parks and Recreation reunion at PaleyFest in March and the comedy tour, with 75 U.S. and 12 international dates. 

“There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way,” he said during the February show. “But you know, after a year, how I feel about it is, I hope it was a step forward. It made me think about a lot, and I hope I’ve become a better person.”

Master of None, about a single South Asian actor trying to launch an acting career in New York, has aired two seasons to date with positive reviews and warmly received by AAPI communities. The show was never officially canceled and Netflix has expressed the desire for another season.

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Warner Bros CEO Kevin Tsujihara steps down after sexual misconduct allegations

Kevin Tsujihara:' It is in Warner Bros.’ best interest that I step down as Chairman and CEO.' 

ASAM NEWS

Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara has left Warner Bros. amid an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Days after the Japanese American CEO was given new responsibilities at the company earlier this month, The Hollywood Reporter published a story detailing allegations of sexual misconduct. The article alleged that Tsujihara helped promote the career of actress Charlotte Kirk, with whom he was having a sexual relationship. According to CNBC, Tsujihara was being investigated for allegedly promising acting roles in exchange for sex.

WarnerMedia previously stated that a prior investigation found no evidence of misconduct.

“Through her spokesperson, the actress has publicly denied any impropriety in her casting, and our prior investigation did not find otherwise,” a WarnerMedia rep says in a statement. “Whenever we receive new allegations, it is our standard practice to conduct an appropriate investigation. And that is what we will do here.”

According to CNN, Tsujihara’s lawyer said he had no direct role in the hiring of Kirk. After the article was released, however, Tsujihara apologized for “mistakes in (his) personal life.”

The 54-year old has been with Warner Bros. for over 24 years. He became CEO in 2013 and the chairman a year later.

“Kevin has contributed greatly to the studio’s success over the past 25 years and for that we thank him,” WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey said in a statement Monday. “Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the company’s leadership expectations and could impact the company’s ability to execute going forward.”

Tsujihara also sent his colleagues a memo on Monday telling them he planned to step down. His full letter follows:

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past week and a half, I have been reflecting on how the attention on my past actions might impact the company’s future. After lengthy introspection, and discussions with John Stankey over the past week, we have decided that it is in Warner Bros.’ best interest that I step down as Chairman and CEO 

I love this company and the people that make it so great. I’ve been honored to head this organization and work alongside all of its talented employees over the past 25 years. Together we’ve built this studio into an unequivocal leader in the industry. 

However, it has become clear that my continued leadership could be a distraction and an obstacle to the company’s continued success. The hard work of everyone within our organization is truly admirable, and I won’t let media attention on my past detract from all the great work the team is doing. 

I am overwhelmed and grateful for the outpouring of support I have received from colleagues and industry partners during this difficult time. 

Again, I am so proud of the great work that you do every day to make Warner Bros. the gold standard in our industry. It has been a pleasure to work alongside each and every one of you, and I wish you all the absolute best.

Sincerely,
Kevin

Up until he resigned, Tsujihara was the highest ranking Asian American in charge of a major Hollywood studio. Under his leadership, Warner Bros. helped produce the groundbreaking Crazy Rich Asians motion picture, the first studio-backed film with an all-Asian cast since the Joy Luck Club 25 years ago.

It was Tsujihara's passion and advocacy for the Crazy Rich Asians project that tilted the filmmakers to choose Warner Bros. as its Hollywood partner in 2016. “It’s not coincidental that [Warner Bros. C.E.O.] Kevin Tsujihara is the first Asian American studio boss,” said CRA executive prodcuer Nina Jacobson.

Views From the Edge conributed to this report.

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Startup founder accused of sexual assault

Photo from Brian Wong via Wikimedia Creative Commons

BRIAN WONG

ASAM NEWS

A Silicon Valley start up founder who won acclaim at just the age of 19 has been indicted by a grand jury on felony charges of sexual assault, reports Bloomberg.
The charges against Brian Wong, 27, of the mobile advertising company Kiip Inc. stem from an incident at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Tx three years ago.

The woman who used the pseudonym of Samantha Luu stated in an affidavit that she drank a half glass of wine and became dizzy. She says she ended up in a hotel room with Wong, but doesn’t remember how she got there. She accused him of pushing her down on the bed, removing her clothes. When she asked him to stop, she says Wong raped her. She says she passed out and that Wong repeated the act a few hours later.

“Brian Wong is innocent of this three-year-old baseless accusation leveled against him,” Sam Bassett, Wong’s attorney, said to Bloomberg. “The evidence will show that Mr. Wong acted appropriately at all times,” Bassett said.

Wong maintains the sex was consensual.

KXAN reports police issued an arrest for Wong’s arrest in January. The victim positively identified Wong as her assailant last July.

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Louis C.K. disses Asian men in new 'comedy' monologue

YOUTUBE

Comedian Louie C.K. is trying to come back from his admitted sexual misconduct.

(Content Warning: Vulgar language used by the comedian is quoted in this story)

By Louis Chan

ASAM ENWS

Louis C.K. is getting a lot of negative media for his routine which goes after survivors of the Parkland High School shooting in Florida, which left 17 dead.
Getting less attention is the part of C.K.’s stand up when he pokes fun of the genitals of Asian men. You know, the tired penis joke that has been done again, and again and again. It’s what old outdated comedians fall back on when they lack any original material.

“Why do black guys have big dicks?”…“Asians have small dicks … because they’re women,” C.K. is quoted as saying as saying by BuzzFeedNews on stage at a Levittown, New York Comedy Club.

“You know why Asian guys have small dicks. ’Cause they’re women. They’re not dudes. They’re all women. All Asians are women. And they have big clits, really big clits, and when they have sex they just stick their clits in each other’s pussies and then they procreate using math,” he said.

The jokes came to light when a 48 minute audio recording of the set appeared on You Tube just two days ago.

The comedian is on the comeback trail after he admitted to several instances of sexual misconduct towards women who made his assaults public.

Among those who have condemned C.K. for his new routine is social media star Eugene Lee Yang.

Every time a comedian like Louis C.K. makes jokes about Asian men, I have to stop having amazing sex with my penis in order to try and count the number of times I’ve heard that tired stand-up before, but I can’t because I suck at math. pic.twitter.com/8KZSurz9Wi
— Eugene Lee Yang (@EugeneLeeYang) January 1, 2019

Reaction has been overwhelmingly positive to Yang’s comment.

It’s so strange to see a dude most women are afraid to be in a room alone with joke about other dudes being bad at sex. How lacking in self awareness must he be— tanya (@tanyatlh) January 1, 2019

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Julie Chen leaves 'The Talk'

SCREEN CAPTURE / CBS

Panelists on 'The Talk' just viewed the videotape of Julie Chen's statement.

ASAM NEWS

JULIE CHEN, still hurting from Les Moonves’ forced resignation as CEO of CBS following allegations of sexual harassment, announced on the show today (Sept. 18) that she is leaving The Talk.

The veteran host and newscaster did not appear on the show in person, but made the announcement following the resignation of her husband through a videotaped message which she also tweeted to her fans.

“I have been at The Talk since the day it started nine years ago … we have become a family, but right now I need to spend more time at home with my husband and our young son,” Chen said from the set of Big Brother, a show she has also co-hosted since its debut in 2000.

The decision allows Chen to avoid the awkward situation on The Talk where she would be expected to address her husband’s ouster.

Immediately following  Moonves' resignation more than a week ago, Chen announced she would be taking a few days off from the daytime program. Co-hosts Sharon Osbourne and Sara Gilbert expressed sympathy and support for Chen while she was gone, but also seem to indicate their support for the network’s decision to push Moonves out.

In her taped message, Chen also directed a message to the other women on the show.

“I know this show and the sisterhood it stands for will live on for many years – ladies, you’ve got this and I am proud to call you my friends,” Chen said. “I love you.”

The Talk features a number of outspoken woman talking about the issues of the day. Chen is largely considered the lead host of the program and arguably the show’s biggest name. She has been on The Talk since it launched in 2010. Gilbert and Osbourne have also been on the program since the beginning.

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Backlash against Olivia Munn after striking a blow against a sexual predator

This scene from The Predator with Olivia Munn and Steven Wilder Striegel was deleted prior to the movie's release.

EVEN THOUGH  the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns have brought greater awareness of sexual misconduct, the entertainment industry is still struggling with inappropriate behavior on sets and on the casting couch. 

Since the revelations about movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, many actresses have come forward with their experiences as victims of powerful Hollywood figures.

Asian American actress Olivia Munn took action against a registered sex offender and suffered the consequence of being made to feel like she was the one who did something wrong when her fellow cast members failed to immediately support her.

Shane Black, director of The Predator, apologized publicly for casting Steven Wilder Striegel, who is a registered sex offender, but that apology didn't satisfy Munn.

Black, who is Striegel’s longtime friend, was aware of the actor’s past when he chose to cast Striegel in the movie. Striegel had a small part in a scene with Munn. The scene was cut at Munn's insistence, who brought Striegel's past to Fox’s attention weeks ago. She said she found it surprising and unsettling that Black did not mention Striegel’s sex-offender status to the cast and crew.

Munn told Ellen Degeneres that she felt "chastised" by the studio for telling her costars about Striegel, whose past she learned about from an acquaintance. She felt isolated from her costars after telling them even though it was to ensure they weren't blindsided by the news. (She did not learn full details of Striegel's case until the L.A. Times published a story about it).

Striegel pleaded guilty in 2010 to having an online relationship with his "distant relative," a then-14-year-old girl (he maintains there was no physical contact, but the allegations say there was). 

At the Toronto International Film Festival, where The Predator was premiered, she was surprised and hurt when the other members of the cast gave Black a standing ovation even though they were blindsided, as Munn was, by the news of Striegel's past. She told reporters that she felt shunned by her castmates.

During a scheduled interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Munn said her co-stars bailed on her, with the exception of 11-year-old actor Jacob Tremblay.

"It’s a very lonely feeling to be sitting here by myself when I should be sitting here with the rest of the cast," Munn told THR. "I do feel like I’ve been treated by some people that I’m the one who went to jail or I’m the one that put this guy on set."

Predator co-star Boyd Holbrook admitted on Instagram that indeed he "did pull out of a small amount of press on Saturday, as this type of social commentary is new to me ..."

Since Munn's feeling of being shunned became known, Holbrook issued this statement on his Instagram account:

"The people who collude to keep people like this in positions of power, that's the real problem, the people who keep turning blind eyes," Munn says.

Ssince Munn's statements in her interview, several other costars have issued statements s including This Is Us star Sterling Brown:

Munn continued: "It’s amazing how many people expect you to put the movie first, especially if you’re the lead. On something like this – where a child has been hurt – my silence will never be for sale. And if it costs me my career they can take it."

The Predator will have its general release this Friday, Sept. 14.
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Julie Chen missing after new her husband resigns from CBS amid sexual misconduct allegations

SCREEN CAPTURE / CBS

Co-hosts of 'The Talk' couldn't help but talk about their missing co-host Julie Chen and her husband Les Moonves.

TELEVISION HOST  Julie Chen is taking time off from The Talk after her husband, Les Moonves, resigned from the top job at CBS following sexual harassment allegations, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Chen did not appear on the Season 9 premiere today (Aug. 10, Monday) of the popular daytime talk show.

“I am taking a few days off from The Talk to be with my family. I will be back soon and will see you Thursday night on Big Brother,” she said in a statement.

RELATED: Chen's career may be affected

Her absence was the talk of The Talk, however awkward that might have been for Chen’s co-hosts.

“I want to say that whatever times I’ve had of hardship over the past eight years, Julie has always been there for me,” said Sharon Osbourne. “She’s been a friend. She’s been someone who I admire and respect greatly. It’s very embarrassing and upsetting to have to talk about her husband, but we do. We feel it’s right,” Variety reported she said.

Fellow co-host Sara Gilbert elaborated further.

“This is an important time in our culture, and just because this hits close to home, it doesn’t change the story. All women’s stories, and these women’s stories, matter. This is very serious, and the appropriate actions need to take place. I am happy when women are heard because for a long time, they haven’t been,” she said.

SCREEN CAPTURE / CBS

When sexual misconduct allegations first arose about her husband, Julie Chen showed up to work on 'The Talk.'

The Hollywood Reporter reports Obsourne has exchanged messages with Moonves since the controversy broke.

That didn’t stop her from being blunt.

“Why is it that when men get power, it goes to their testicles? I do not know why, but it’s true,” she said.

Moonves on Sunday night called the allegations “untrue” and that he is “deeply saddened” to leave the company.

His buyout is a reported $100 million, according to CNBC.

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Chen stands by her husband; CBS punts on Les Moonves allegations

SCREEN CAPTURE

'The Talk' host Julie Chen briefly addressed the allegations against her husband.

JULIE CHEN, host of the CBS show The Talk, didn't say much today (July 30) about the allegations against her husband, CBS CEO Les Moonves.

At the beginning of the show, after walking out on the stage to applause, Chen, one of the promienent Asian Americans on American television, addressed the elephant in the room head-on. She said that her previous statement is her only comment on the matter.

“Some of you may be aware of what’s been going on in my life for the past few days,” she said at the opening of the show. “I issued the one and only statement I will ever make on this topic on Twitter. I will stand by that statement today, tomorrow, forever.”

RELATED: Julie Chen's statement

The audience broke out in applause and Chen said, "That's it," then continued with the rest of her show, the first episode since last Friday when a story from The New Yorker was published saying six women had come forward to accuse the CBS head of sexual misconduct.

Today was the first workday after the New Yorker story was published.

CBS told media it was “in the process of selecting outside counsel to conduct an independent investigation.” But after a regularly scheduled call with the board of directors, CBS had not taken any action against Moonves. “No other action was taken on this matter at today’s board meeting,” they said in a statement.

Moonves makes more than $69 million annually, according to the New York Times. If he was to be fired without being found guilty of these accusations, the company would owe him an exit package of $184 million.

One of the accusers, actress Illeana Douglas, alleged he violently kissed her. "You think, how long is this going to go on? I couldn't get him off me," she said.

All of the women say they believe their careers suffered because they rejected his advances.

Moonves said in a statement he regretted "immensely" having "made some women uncomfortable" in the past.

Chen issued a statement Friday defending her husband.'

CBS star Chen, who also hosts Big Brother, and Moonves have been married 14 years. He is largely credited for CBS success in the last decade.

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Julie Chen's career may be affected by allegations against her husband

Julie Chen and husband Les Moonves.

THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT allegations against CBS CEO Les Moonves might impact the future of television host Julie Chen.

After the bombshell revelations from a new New Yorker report written by Ronan Farrow, Chen released a statement Friday (July 27) defending Moonves, her husband of 14 years.

In the New Yorker article, Moonves, CBS' head honcho, was accused by six women who said he forcibly touched or kissed them in the workplace and when they rejected him, their careers were negatively affected.

“Throughout my time at CBS, we have promoted a culture of respect and opportunity for all employees, and have consistently found success elevating women to top executive positions across our company,” Moonves told the New Yorker in a statement. 

“I recognize that there were times decades ago when I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances. Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely. But I always understood and respected—and abided by the principle—that ‘no’ means ‘no,’ and I have never misused my position to harm or hinder anyone’s career. This is a time when we all are appropriately focused on how we help improve our society, and we at CBS are committed to being part of the solution.”

Chen, as host for The Talk and Big Brother, is one of the most prominent Asian American TV personalities. No doubt the situation will get awkward at work. The Monday (July 30) episode of The Talk will likely be one of the most watched shows in the program's history if she shows up as co-host.
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On Friday afternoon, a new New Yorker report written by Ronan Farrow revealed allegations of sexual harassment against CBS CEO Les Moonves, spanning from the 1980s into the early 2000s. Six women say the network chairman forcibly touched or kissed them in the workplace, physically intimidated them and/or threatened their careers. After rejecting him, all allege their careers were negatively affected. Moonves issued a statement denying their claims that he had “misused” his “position,” while admitting that “there were times decades ago when I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances.” Said Moonves, “Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely. But I always understood and respected — and abided by the principle — that ‘no’ means ‘no,’ and I have never misused my position to harm or hinder anyone’s career.” Now, Julie Chen, Moonves’s wife and host of Big Brother on CBS, has tweeted a statement of support for her husband.

George Takei 'forgives' his accuser

SCREEN CAPTURE / YOUTUBE

GEORGE TAKEI

AFTER ACTOR GEORGE TAKEI was accused of sexual misconducct by a male model, a lot of the actor's admirers were in a quandry.

In a new article from The Observer, Scott Brunton walked back on his story when he was invited to Takei's home 1981, when Brunton alleged that he was drugged and when he awoke he was being groped by Takei.

As it turns out, a good portion of his story was made up in an effort to turn it into "a great party" story about sexual assault to impress his listeners. Brunton now says it may not have actually happened.

In the ongoing discussion of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry and the workplace, the story about Takei attracted the attention of the media.

Besides his beloved role as Mr. Sulu in Star Trek, Takei's acitivsim on behalf of the LGBTQ  and Asian/American communities, Takei's reputation as one of Hollywood's good guys was tarnished despite his denials and protestations about Brunton's version of what happened.

Since he changed his story, Takei took to Twitter last Friday (May 25) to forgive Brunton: Takei wrote:

“As many of you know, this has been a very difficult period for myself and my husband Brad as we have dealt with the impact of these accusations, but we are happy to see that this nightmare is finally drawing to a close.

“As I stated before, I do not remember Mr. Brunton or any of the events he described from forty years ago, but I do understand that this was part of a very important national conversation that we as a society must have, painful as it might be.”

“It is in that spirit that I want folks to know, despite what he has put us through, I do not bear Mr. Brunton any ill will, and I wish him peace.”

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Sexual misconduct allegations against George Takei questioned

GEORGE TAKEI

ASAM NEWS

A REPORT published in the Observer puts into question widely disseminated allegations against actor George Takei that he assaulted his date and laced his cocktail with drugs.
Author Shane Snow, who wrote a chapter about the actor for his book Dream Teams: Working Together Without Falling Apart, looked closer at the accusations over a period of months.

The allegations by model Scott Brunton were originally reported in The Hollywood Reporter in November and then repeated by several news outlets including AsAmNews which published Takei’s strong denial.

Snow noticed that Brunton did not mention being drugged by Takei until two days after the original story from The Hollywood Reporter. He also noticed that in some media interviews, Brunton mentions being groped by Takei and in others, he does not.

Snow also pointed out that no other accusers have come forward since Brunton’s allegations, unlike other high profile allegations against Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein.

Brunton mentioned a former boyfriend, Jay Vanulk, could collaborate his story, but when Snow interviewed Vanulk, he had no such memory.

“I know that we had met George Takei, but that’s about all,” Vanulk said. He says if Brunton told him anything about Takei it wasn’t anything dramatic enough to remember. Vanulk also said he talked to Brunton’s ex-fiancee who also doesn’t remember anything about an assault.

Snow also interviewed toxicogists who cast doubt on whether Brunton’s drink was really spiked.

“The most likely cause is not drug-related,” said Lewis Nelson, the director of medical toxicology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. “It sounds like postural hypotension, exacerbated by alcohol.”

Snow pressed Brunton on whether Takei had really groped him.

“You know…probably…He was clearly on his way to…to…to going somewhere.”

“So…you don’t remember him touching your genitals?”

Brunton said he did not remember any touching.

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Weinstein's indictment vindicates Filipina model

SCREEN CAPTURE

Ambra Gutierez suffered from depression after authorities dismissed her allegations against Harvey Weinstein.

FILIPINA/ITALIAN MODEL Ambra Gutierrez feels vindicated and relieved now that movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is finally being brought to justice.

After seeing photos and TV coverage of of Weinstein walking into the NYPD’s 1st Precinct on Friday morning, Guitierrez told The New York Daily Post: “It’s like waking up from a dream and not knowing if it was true or not.”

Weinstein, 66, turned himself in to police Thursday (May 25) to face felony charges of criminal sexual misconduct and alleged rape against two women (former aspiring actress Lucia Evans and an unnamed party who is not Gutierrez). Weinstein, once one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, did not enter a plea in Manhattan Criminal Court and was freed on $1 million bail.

“All the memories are coming back,” she said. “Those three years I lost. It’s a bit of sadness and happiness at the same time. Now people believe me and I feel like those three years were worth it for anything I went through.”

RELATED: Filipina at center of allegations against Harvey Weinstein

Guitierrez, who was 22 at the time Weinstein invited her to his office, was one of the first women to bring Weinstein's abusive behavior to the attention of law enforcement. 

After meeting at a social occasion, the movie producer invited Guitierrez up to his Tribeca office where he allegedly groped her breast and tried to put his hand up her skirt.

She left distraught and went to the authorities. The NYPD persuaded her to put on a hidden microphone and meet up with Weinstein. At the meeting, he offered his apologies, essentially admitted to the sexual misconduct. As he was apologizing, he also tried to invite the model to his hotel room.

But Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. declined to prosecute Weinstein, stating there still wasn’t enough evidence.

Ambra Battaliana Guiterrez grew up in Italy.

She was allegedly silenced with a $1-million and a non-disclosure agreement from Weinstein.

“I didn’t even understand almost what I was doing with all those papers. I was really disoriented. My English was very bad,” the model told the New Yorker. She realized the gravity of the situation when she saw Weinstein’s lawyer’s hands shaking, she said.

“The moment I (signed) it, I really felt it was wrong,” she added.

She told the New Yorker that she accepted the deal after working with the NYPD to secretly record Weinstein admitting to groping her. As part of Weinstein’s payout, Gutierrez was also made to sign a statement — to be released if she ever broke the non-disclosure agreement — which stated that the behavior Weinstein to which admitted on tape never happened.

An attorney who has seen the agreement called it “the most usurious one I have seen in decades of practice,” according to New Yorker writer Ronan Farrow, who did not name the lawyer.

“I felt like I was going crazy,” Gutierrez told the New York Post. “No one believed me."

Farrow's reporting in the New Yorker on Guitierrez's experience with Weinstein opened the doors to further investigations and gave courage to other women who suffered Weinstein's advances and sexual misconduct. The New York Times published in October last year explosive allegations against Weinstein by high profile stars such as Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan and Gwyneth Paltrow. Their stories led to the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements and a revolt against men abusing their power and influence against women.

After years of depression and dealing with an eating disorder, Gutierrez feels vindicated.

“We all did something, and we did not stop until this situation was done in the right way,” Gutierrez told The Post. “I’m thinking about [the] other victims right now, that they finally got justice for what they went through.”
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Will Aziz Ansari show up at the SAG awards?

The cast and creative team of The Big Sick.

THE BIGGEST question for the Screen Actors Guild Awards Sunday night is: Will Aziz Ansari attend?

Fresh off his Golden Globe award, Ansari has a good chance of winning a SAG award for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series. Ansair plays an Indian/American comedian trying to have a successful career in New York City.

He is also still licking his wounds for accusations from a woman who described what she alleges is a form of sexual assault at the end of dinner date with Ansari.

Her date, as published in Babe.net, allegedly resulted in her performing oral sex on Ansari after fending off his repeated sexual advances physically and verbally.

Ansari's conduct during the date is not on the level of a Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer or Donald Trump.  The accusations by "Grace" has sparked a debate among the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements about a question of degrees of sexual misconduct. The argument asks: At what point does unwanted flirtation turn into bad, and even gross behavior, or turn into a sexual assault by use of the power dynamics by powerful men?

Ansari has released an apology that he made public but he now faces the dilemma. 
How will he be received by his peers? He has his supporters and sympathizers among the SAG members, but he also might hear jeers and boos if he should win in his category. The Guild, riding the theme that began at the Golden Globes when everkybody wore black, will have all women presenters as its statement on the topic.

Another actor in a similar situation, James Franco, has announced that he will be at the SAG awards regardless of the women accusing him of sexual misconduct.

Among the other nominees, are a small handful of potential Asian/American winners, including:

The cast of The Big Sick is a nominee for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. The movie was written by Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily V. Gordon based on their courtship. If they win against some stiff competition, expect  Nanjiani to be joined by more Indian/Americans up on the stage, including Adeel Akhtar, Anupam Kher, and Zenobia Shroff.

In the category of Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, Hong Chau was nominated for her role in the movie Downsizing. Her competition is almost the same group that she faced in the Golden Globes where Allison Janney won for her role in I, Tonya.

As a winner in the Golden Globes, Ansari is expected to repeat for the SAG awards. The Guild members voted before the Babe.net article came out last week so most likely, that issue won't affect the outcome. It will be interesting to see how the audience reacts.

The SAG Awards air Sunday, Jan. 21, at 8 p.m. ET on TNT/TBS. 

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