Jennifer Aniston has described disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein as “piggish” and claimed he once tried to bully her into wearing a dress designed by his wife at the time.
Speaking to Variety, the Friends star recalled working with Weinstein on the film Derailed in 2004, the same year that his then wife Georgina Chapman had launched the fashion label Marchesa.
“That’s when he came to visit me in London while we were shooting. He’d be like, ‘Ok, so I’d like you to wear one of these to the premiere’,” Aniston said, explaining how Weinstein handed her a lookbook containing images of gowns from Marchesa.
“And I went through the book, and at the time, it wasn’t what it is today. It was not for me. He was like, ‘You have to wear the dress.’ That was my only bullying. And I was like, ‘No, I will not wear the dress’.”
When asked whether or not Weinstein accepted her refusal, Aniston replied: “Well, what was he going to do? Come over here and make me wear it?!”
Weinstein is currently facing more than 70 allegations of sexual harassment and rape. The Pulp Fiction producer has pleaded not guilty to all claims of non-consensual sex.
News of the allegations against Weinstein are credited for turning the #MeToo campaign into a global movement against sexual misconduct and abuse.
Speaking about the #MeToo movement, Aniston said it has “absolutely” led to a permanent change in Hollywood.
“I think there’s still room for improvement,” the 50-year-old said, “but I think that kind of behaviour is done. I think people have had the s*** scared out of them.”
