James Franco went into LAX head down Friday, in no mood to talk to photogs or fans. James and girlfriend Isabel Pakzad looked super serious as they entered the terminal. James clutched his guitar case as they walked to security. As you know, Franco…
Showing posts with label Franco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Franco. Show all posts
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Monday, January 29, 2018
James Franco and Girlfriend Do Dinner at the Beach
James Franco has been on the outs in Hollywood after several women have accused him of sexual misconduct, but his girlfriend is clearly sticking by his side. Franco and Isabel Pakzad hit up the Soho House Sunday in Malibu on a sunny day — in…
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
James Franco Accusers Open Up: He"s Not as Bad as Harvey Weinstein
On Tuesday, the 2018 Academy Award nominations were accounced, and the list of honorees contained several surprises.
Perhaps the most noteworthy snub was that of James Franco.
Following wins at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, Franco was considered the frontrunner in the Best Actor category, and many stunned when he didn’t even receive a nomination.
Due to the secret nature of the nomination process, we may never know exactly why he didn’t receive more votes from his peers.
It’s worth noting that the Academy is generally less accepting of comedies than other award-granting bodies, and controversy over filmmaker Tommy Wiseau whom Franco portrays in The Disaster Artist may have also been a factor.
But the consensus in Hollywood is that it was the sexual harassment allegations against Franco that caused Academy voters to balk at honoring the actor with a nomination.
As you may have heard, when Franco won the Golden Globe for Best Actor, actress Ally Sheedy posted several tweets suggesting that he behaved inappropriately while directing her in an Off-Broadway play.
Shortly thereafter, several other women came forward to accuse Franco, eventually bringing the total number to five.
Yesterday, two of those women appeared on Good Morning America to discuss their experiences with Franco,
Sarah Tither-Kaplan was a student in Franco’s “Sex Scenes” actng class
Violet Paley is a former girlfriend of Franco’s who says she felt coerced into performing oral sex on her first date with the actor.
Both women opened up about their individual experiences in a remarkably candid interview:
“James abused his power by exploiting the non-celebrity women that he worked with under the guise of giving them opportunities,” Tither-Kaplan said.
She added that she felt pressured to perform nude while appearing in a film directed by Franco:
“There were a lot of scenes that were added after we were given the original scripts that I felt I wished I had more time to consider them or understand the artistic value of them…sex scenes, nude scenes, yes, a lot of the time they seemed gratuitous and exploitative.”
But while she maitained that Franco abused his power over young women, she also concedesd that his misconduct is not nearly as egregious as that of disgraced studio head Harvey Weinstein.
“He’s absolutely not a Harvey Weinstein,” Tither-Kaplan said.
“He is not an unfeeling monster who has no sense of reality. He created exploitative environments for non-celebrity women on his sets and I also think James is a talented and valuable person.”
Tither-Kaplan elaborated:
“It is a pyramid and at the top is rape and sexual violence and at the bottom are the other abuses of power that when they continue to happen over and over build and build and build and create a culture that allows the most heinous examples of sexual violence and misogny and discrimination to happen and if we allow any of them, we’re allowing all of them.”
For her part, Paley says her story is “complicated” by the fact that she later entered a relationship with Franco, but maintains that she was pressured into performing a sex act with which she didn’t feel comfortable during one of their first interactions.
“I am regretful. I was young, he was a celebrity that I looked up to,” Paley says.
Both women agreed that Franco is “not unforgivable,” and made a simple request to the 39-year-old during their time on air:
“Please just apologize,” Paley said, addressing Franco.
We’ll have further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
TMZ Live: James Franco: Oscar Snub Controversy
ON TODAY’S SHOW 50 Cent: Bitcoin Fortune! Mark Wahlberg: I Don’t Take Steroids! Bill Cosby Returns To Comedy DMX: Drunken Airport Preaching
James Franco Goes Surfing Day Before Oscar Snub
James Franco tried riding out the storm on a surfboard Monday — but it didn’t work … ‘cause he wiped out a day later. Paps got James Monday in Malibu surfing with some pals, and he actually seemed pretty chipper … but his mood…
James Franco Shut Out of Oscars
James Franco was not nominated for an Oscar, and there isn’t a shadow of a doubt the reason is that 5 women have accused him of sexual misconduct. It’s a stunning statement … Franco won the Golden Globe and the Critics’ Choice Awards for Best…
Monday, January 22, 2018
This Was Awkward: Alison Brie is Asked About James Franco...
Alison Brie could not fully celebrate her achievements at the 2018 SAG Awards on Sunday night.
The actress was nominated for her fantastic role in the Netflix series GLOW, while the comedy itself was nominated as well for a cast ensemble award.
But Brie was forced to address a certain controversy surrounding her family before she entered the Shrine Auditorium.
As you"ve likely read about by now, James Franco has been accused of sexual misconduct by five different women.
In one instance, an alleged victim claims Franco pulled his penis out in front of her; in another, an alleged victim claims he removed the cloth over her vagina for an oral sex scene that was being filmed.
Pretty heinous stuff, if true.
Brie, meanwhile, is married to Franco"s brother, Dave.
So she has a personal stake in this scandal.
Therefore, E!"s Giuliana Rancic simply had to ask the actress for her thoughts on the SAG Awards red carpet.
“What we’ve always said is that it remains vital that anyone who feels victimized should and does have the right to speak out and come forward,” replied Brie, adding:
“I obviously support my family and not everything that’s been reported is fully accurate, so I think we’re waiting to get all the information.
"But, of course, now is a time for listening and that’s what we’re all trying to do.”
Franco is reportedly in a very bad place as a result of these accusations.
But not many people out there have sympathy for him.
At the Women"s March over the weekend, for example, Scarlett Johansson went right after her fellow A-Lister.
"My mind baffles – how could a person publicly stand by an organization that helps to provide support for victims of sexual assault while privately preying on people who have no power," the star said at a podium in Los Angeles, concluding with anger:
"I want my pin back by the way."
Her rep later confirmed that Johansson was talking about Franco.
The actor"s lawyer has denied all accusations against his client.
But it"s safe to assume this story is not going away any time soon.
Click on the video below to see Brie"s full answer, which begins around the 90-second mark.
SAG Awards 2018 Behind the Scenes, First-Ever Host, Colorful Dresses and James Franco
The 24th annual SAG Awards was a mixed bag — with the Time’s Up movement as a backdrop … there were some things (and people) we didn’t expect to see. For starters … Kristen Bell served as the award show’s first-ever host — and she…
Alison Brie Defends Brother-in-Law James Franco at SAG Awards
James Franco has his sister-in-law squarely in his corner at the SAG Awards … ‘cause she just defended him amid allegations of sexual misconduct. At the 2018 #SAGAwards, Alison Brie addressed the allegations of sexual misconduct made against her…
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Sharon Osbourne Says, F*** That, James Franco Should Go to Oscars with His D*** Out!!!
Sharon Osbourne was true to form Wednesday night … blasting people who think James Franco should hide in shame on Oscar night. We got “The Talk” co-host in WeHo leaving Craig’s with fellow talker Julie Chen, and Sharon was incredulous that Franco…
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
TMZ Live: Casey Affleck & James Franco: Oscar Ban?
ON TODAY’S SHOW Kim & Kanye: New Baby Pic Update! Tom Cruise: Crazy Stunt Gone Wrong Amber Rose: Goodbye, Big Boobs! Will Smith: Wild Zoo Adventure
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Time"s Up for James Franco on Sunset Blvd.
James Franco’s art and life are getting uncomfortably close … ‘cause the Time’s Up movement is breathing down his neck on Sunset Blvd. A new billboard recently went up in Hollywood for Franco’s movie, “The Disaster Artist” — which sits just in…
Saturday, January 13, 2018
James Franco, Universities Where He Taught Say No Sexual Misconduct Complaints
James Franco is facing 4 sexual misconduct complaints from some of his former acting students at Studio 4 and Playhouse West, so we decided to call around and see if anyone lodged complaints at the various schools where the actor taught, and it…
Friday, January 12, 2018
James Franco Accuser Sarah Tither-Kaplan Wants Apology, "I Still Have Love for Him"
One of James Franco’s accusers is willing to forgive him if he publicly owns up to the sexual misconduct she says she experienced on a movie set. Sarah Tither-Kaplan tells TMZ, “I don’t hate James. I still have love for him.” She’s reacting to…
TMZ Live: James Franco: Accuser Defends "Ruining Lives" Comment
ON TODAY’S SHOW Chris Brown: Prosecuted Over Pet Monkey? Seal Defends Attack On Oprah Nelly Alleged Rape Case: Evidence Released Pregnant Khloe Kardashian: Flash Mob!
James Franco No-Show at Critics" Choice, Upset, Frustrated
James Franco was nowhere to be seen Thursday night at the Critics’ Choice awards because he was extremely upset over sexual misconduct allegations against him … sources connected to Franco tell TMZ. Franco won Best Actor in a Comedy Film but was…
James Franco: "In a Bad Place" Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations
At last night’s Critics Choice Awards, James Franco won the award for best actor for his performance in The Disaster Artist, a film that he also wrote and directed.
That title has taken on added meaning this week, as the award season that should have been the peak of Franco’s long career in Hollywood has instead been one long catastrophe for the actor and filmmaker.
Of course, if there’s any truth to the allegations against him, then Franco has no one to blame for this precipitous downfall but himself.
The unraveling of Franco’s career and carefully-cultivated image as the heir apparent to Johnny Depp’s “eccentric but lovable artsy weirdo” image began on Sunday night when the 39-year-old took home one of the night’s biggest prizes at the 2018 Golden Globes.
During the ceremony, actress Ally Sheedy posted a series of tweets implying that Franco had behaved inappropriately while directing her in a 2014 Off-Broadway play.
Sheedy later deleted the tweets, but her example prompted other women who claim to have been mistreated by Franco to come forward with their own stories.
Now, less than a week after the actor kicked off what looked to be a dominant award season run, no fewer than five women have accused Franco of sexual misconduct.
The allegations run the gamut from coercing a young woman into performing oral sex to becoming angry when actresses filming a scene in a strip club refused to perform topless.
Franco sat for interviews with both Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers this week, explaining to both hosts that he denies the allegations against him, but supports the right of his accusers to go public with their version of events.
At first, it looked as though Franco would continue making the media rounds in order to improve his film’s chances with Oscar voters.
Last night, however, the actor skipped the Critics Choice ceremony, and actor Walton Goggins accepted the best actor award on his behalf.
“He’s in a really bad place, so bad that he changed his phone number,” a source close to the situation tells People magazine.
“His close friends are trying to be there for him but it’s been hard – he’s only talking to a select group of people. For now, he’s just hiding out.”
Speaking with Meyers on Tuesday night, Franco stated that he’s refrained from actively defending himself so as not to discourage women who have been abused or suffered unfair treatment from coming forward.
“There are people that need to be heard,” the actor said.
“I have my own side of this story, but I believe in these people that have been underrepresented getting their stories out enough that I will hold back things that I could say, just because I believe in it that much.”
He added:
“So if I have to take a knock because I’m not going to try and actively refute things, then I will, because I believe in it that much.”
We will further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
James Franco Accuser Defends Tweet About Ruining People"s Lives
One of the women accusing James Franco of sexual assault is blasting critics who have latched on to a comment she made … that she likes to ruin lives. Violet Paley has claimed Franco forced her head into his lap while his penis was exposed. She…
Thursday, January 11, 2018
James Franco Accused of Sexual Misconduct By 5 Women; Actor Continues to Make Media Rounds
At this point, we’re sadly unsurprised when one of Hollywood’s most influential men is accused of some form of sexual misconduct.
The cycle of accusation, apology, and fallout has become all too familiar and, for the most part, fairly easy to predict.
But as award season kicks into high gear, James Franco is defying convention by refusing to step away from the spotlight or even apologize for his alleged past behavior.
On Sunday night, Franco won a Golden Globe for his performance in The Disaster Artist, a film that he also wrote and directed.
His celebration was short-lived, however, due number of tweets posted by actress Ally Sheedy that hinted at sexual misconduct on Franco’s part.
Shortly thereafter, a woman named Violet Paley came forward with allegations that Franco had sexually assaulted her when she was just 17 years old.
In the 48 hours that followed, four other women came forward
“I was talking to him, all of a sudden his penis was out,” Paley said.
“I got really nervous, and I said, ‘Can we do this later?’ He was kind of nudging my head down, and I just didn’t want him to hate me, so I did it.”
Paley went on to date Franco, but says when she reflects on the incident, she feels she was coerced into performing oral sex despite feeling uncomfortable about it.
“I would say, ‘No, stop, get out of my car.’ The power dynamic was really off,” she tells the
Paley says she emailed Franco after the Harvey Weinstein sex scandals surfaced to make him aware that she felt she had been mistreated.
She says he didn’t respond right away, but eventually called to try and make amends.
Sarah Tither-Kaplan, an acting student at Franco’s Studio 4 film school, also elaborated on allegations against the 39-year-old today.
Tither-Kaplan claims that whle shooting the 2014 film The Long Home, Franco removed protective plastic guards that covered actresses’ vaginas while he simulated oral sex.
“I got it in my head pretty quickly that, okay, you don’t say ‘no’ to this guy,” Tither-Kaplan said.
Hilary Dusome and Natalie Chmiel, two other students of Franco’s, detailed an incident in which the actor allegedly got angry when no actresses would agree to go topless while filming a scene in a strip club.
“I felt like I was selected for something based on my hard work and my merit, and when I realized it was because I have nice [breasts], it was pretty clear that was not the case,” Dusome said.
“I don’t think he started teaching with bad intentions, but he went down a bad path and damaged a lot of people in the process.”
In the wake of the allegations, Franco has continued to make talk show and other media appearances in hopes of improving his film’s chances of securing several possible Oscar nominations.
On Tuesday night, Franco denied responsibility in an interview with Stephen Colbert.
Wednesday, he appeared on Seth Meyers’ show, where he again declined to admit to any wrongdoing, but stated that he supports the rights of women to come forward with such accusations.
“This is a conversation that obviously needs to be had,” he told Meyers.
“There are people, women and others, who have not been a part of this conversation and I truly believe that they need to be. So I support that.”
Asked if he had contacted Sheedy to ask why she felt compelled to publicly call him out, Franco became visibly uncomfortable.
“I don’t know. I … It was so shocking. I don’t know. I just … I guess I’m just letting it be,” he said.
We’ll have further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
James Franco Uncomfortable on Seth Meyers" Show Talking About Ally Sheedy
James Franco had some super uncomfortable moments Wednesday night on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” when the host asked the actor about Ally Sheedy. You’ll recall, after Franco won Best Actor during the Golden Globes, Sheedy tweeted, “Why is a man…
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