Amid recent developments in Hollywood surrounding the Harvey Weinstein investigation, several powerful members of the Hollywood community have come forward to vocalize their issues with the current condition of the entertainment industry as well as verbalize personal accounts of sexual assault and abuse. A few days ago, the cast of “One Tree Hill” accused Mark Schwahn, creator of the show and other fan favorites like Gossip Girl and The Royals of sexual harassment. Schwahn is not the first to be accused of these allegations as sexual misconduct cases bubbe to the surface. Schwahn is one of a long list of writers, producers, and directors to be accused of these serious offenses.
Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton and the female cast have joined together in accusing the showrunner of this popular TV show. In a letter by Audrey Wauchope, she reveals the conditions on set of this early 2000s hit drama.
Wauchope states in the letter, “Many of us were, to varying degrees, manipulated psychologically and emotionally. More than one of us is still in treatment for post-traumatic stress. Many of us were put in uncomfortable positions and had to swiftly learn to fight back, sometimes physically, because it was made clear to us that the supervisors in the room were not the protectors they were supposed to be. Many of us were spoken to in ways that ran the spectrum from deeply upsetting, to traumatizing, to downright illegal. And a few of us were put in positions where we felt physically unsafe. More than one woman on our show had her career trajectory threatened.” The letter was signed by a total of 18 cast and crew members.
Male cast members have also released statements in support of these women and their bravery: Chad Michael Murray stated, “A new frontier has arrived & it’s an honor to see all women stand up to the opposition that has caused so much pain. Equal rights & equal treatment isn’t an option, it is mandatory. Equality, safety and respect for all is the goal.”
These new developments reveal the toxic and uncomfortable work environments that these stars endure on a regular basis.
Photo and letter excerpt via USA Today
Header photo via Brit