When the allegations of sexual assault and harassment against film director James Toback were first revealed, the report published by the Los Angeles Times detailed experiences from 38 women who'd come forward. Since that article was published, because of the bravery of the first 38 women, the number of accusers has climbed to 310.
On October 26, Vanity Fair published an exclusive story in which actresses Rachel McAdams and Selma Blair each describe how they were harassed and mistreated by Toback early in their careers. Their horrific stories are written in their own words and difficult to read, but it's so important to continue the conversation and to keep speaking out.
Blair worked with Los Angeles Times reporter Glenn Whipp on his first report about Toback, which was published less than a week ago on October 22.
Exclusive: @SelmaBlair and Rachel McAdams share their disturbing stories of sexual harassment by James Toback… https://t.co/i88IayJ8T3— VANITY FAIR (@VANITY FAIR)1509040655.0
Selma Blair's representatives had arranged a meeting between her and Toback. He was described to her as a "really interesting and odd guy" who could help her career. Toback would only meet in his hotel room, but Blair insisted they meet in the hotel restaurant. When she arrived at the restaurant, she was told he wouldn't come down. "Against my better judgment," she said, "I went upstairs."
The incident Blair then describes is terrifying. After coercing her to take her top off to read part of a script, he "started to rub his penis through his pants and asked, 'Would you f*** me?'" When Blair said no, Toback started naming other actresses that he "did some really dark sexual things with." When she tried to leave, he blocked the door and said, "You have to do this for me. You cannot leave until I have release." Toback proceeded to press himself against her leg and force her to look at him. After he finished, he threatened her with murder if she ever spoke about what happened. "I didn't want to speak up," Blair said, "because, it sounds crazy, but, even until now, I have been scared for my life.""I did not want to talk about this ever again," McAdams told Vanity Fair. "However, even though it is a really bad memory, I feel like some good could come from talking about it now."
Rachel McAdams: "He started that kind of manipulative talk of, ‘How brave are you? How far you are willing to go as… https://t.co/5Fj0BU3dE0— Olivia Messer 🌻 (@Olivia Messer 🌻)1509041211.0
As Jessica Chastain wrote in her response to this report, this horrible behavior perpetrated by men and perpetuated by the industry must stop now.
For years, many in power tried to divide & conquer women in order to dominate, control, & victimize them. The inexc… https://t.co/lwr0lDWKcR— Jessica Chastain (@Jessica Chastain)1509043273.0