Actor and director James Franco has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, and the allegations have resulted in him being mostly absent from the film industry's awards season. Sharon Stone, an outspoken supporter of the #MeToo movement, doesn't seem to think that's fair, and she's spoken out in support of Franco.
In a new interview with Marc Maron on his WTF podcast, Stone made reference to Violet Paley, the woman that accused Franco of forcing her to perform oral sex on him in a car while the two were dating.
"I'm appalled with what's happening with [Franco]," Stone said. "Where the girlfriend can say that she's offended that he asked [her to perform oral sex], while they're dating and now all of a sudden, he's a bad guy."
Stone, who appeared in Franco's film The Disaster Artist, added, "I got to say I worked with him, I know him, he's the loveliest, kindest, sweetest, most elegant, nicest man.... Most kind friend, lovely professional. I'm absolutely appalled by this."
She went on to explain that she sees a difference between sexual harassment and "stupid" behaviour on a date. "You go out with them, they bring you home for a good-night kiss and they grab your hand and put it on their penis. I don't think they're trying to sexually harass me, I think they're just incredibly stupid and awkward," she said.
Earlier this year, James Franco said that the sexual misconduct claims lodged against him were "not accurate."
In a new interview with Marc Maron on his WTF podcast, Stone made reference to Violet Paley, the woman that accused Franco of forcing her to perform oral sex on him in a car while the two were dating.
"I'm appalled with what's happening with [Franco]," Stone said. "Where the girlfriend can say that she's offended that he asked [her to perform oral sex], while they're dating and now all of a sudden, he's a bad guy."
Stone, who appeared in Franco's film The Disaster Artist, added, "I got to say I worked with him, I know him, he's the loveliest, kindest, sweetest, most elegant, nicest man.... Most kind friend, lovely professional. I'm absolutely appalled by this."
She went on to explain that she sees a difference between sexual harassment and "stupid" behaviour on a date. "You go out with them, they bring you home for a good-night kiss and they grab your hand and put it on their penis. I don't think they're trying to sexually harass me, I think they're just incredibly stupid and awkward," she said.
Earlier this year, James Franco said that the sexual misconduct claims lodged against him were "not accurate."