We were really rooting for Lindsay Lohan’s triumphant comeback. Maybe we have a soft spot for our now-former fave Parent Trap twin. Or maybe it’s because we’re all about petty queens who use their clout to fend off bankruptcy rumors. Regardless, we’re overlooking Lohan’s comeback in beauty line form. I mean, we were skeptical from the start. But her whole comeback might have hit a bump after she made some public comments that shame the #MeToo movement and women who speak up about their sexual assault. IMO, even before this, Lohan defended Harvey Weinstein in a deleted tweet and then in an Instagram story.
Speaking with UK’s The Times, Lohan had some troubling things to say when asked about the #MeToo movement. “If it happens at that moment, you discuss it at that moment. You make it a real thing by making it a police report. I’m going to really hate myself for saying this, but I think by women speaking against all these things, it makes them look weak when they are very strong women. You have these girls who come out, who don’t even know who they are, who do it for the attention. That is taking away from the fact that it happened,” Lohan said.
Honestly, we’re still confused as to how Lohan thinks people who are speaking out against their abusers are weak. Are we talking about the same #MeToo movement here, Lo? You know, the same movement that helped call attention to a huge issue. The very movement that helped Terry Crews find his voice to speak out against his abuser. And Chloe Dykstra. And Lucy Hale.
But the fact that Lohan insinuates that some women are abusing the movement for attention or publicity is a dangerous, and statistically improbable, claim to make. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) and the organization’s extensive study on sexual assault statistics, only 2-8% of sexual assault crimes are reported under false pretenses.
Last month, Lohan told The New York Times, “I’m a normal, nice person. A good person. I don’t have any bad intentions. And my past has to stay in the past.” But this isn’t that far in the past because Lohan’s anti-MeToo interview happened as recent as last week. Though Lohan might not have bad intentions and wants the public to see her for her niceness, Twitterverse hasn’t necessarily perceived her statements in a positive light.
One user counteracts Lohan’s comments by encouraging people to continue to tell their stories, regardless of what Lohan might think.
“Lindsay Lohan says she is “very supportive” of women, but she isn’t very supportive of the #MeToo movement.” ==> So, she’s not supportive AT ALL of women. Period. https://t.co/68w4rCVSBs
— Julie Rageys (@JulieRgs) August 9, 2018
Whereas, another adds that Lohan’s previous in-interview statements contradict her remarks about the #MeToo movement.
I find @lindsaylohan‘s comments on the #MeToo movement to be appalling. You are NOT weak for telling your story. You are brave and are actually contributing to the fight against the sexual assault epidemic.
— nel (@0ut3rspace) August 9, 2018
After all, prior to her comments on the movement, Lohan prefaced her statements with, “I don’t really have anything to say. I can’t speak on something I didn’t live, right? Look, I am very supportive of women. Everyone goes through their own experiences in their own ways.”
While Lohan might say she’s supportive of women, accusing some women of lying or manipulating an empowering cause for their own personal gain doesn’t seem very supportive. Beyond her contradictory definition of what it means to be supportive, Lohan’s initial statements seem rather invasive.
At the first, Lohan notes that she can’t talk about the movement because she hasn’t experienced what the movement is discussing (i.e. sexual assault and sexual harassment). Yet, in an odd culmination of self-awareness and exploitation, she continues to insert her opinion about a narrative that she admittedly knows nothing about.
While Lindsay Lohan might want to keep up the allegedly “nice person” image, her comments can hinder the #MeToo movement in a troubling way. As Vox adds, a high percentage of people are already worried that women falsely claim that men sexually assault them. Coupled with Lohan’s interview about the movement, this could influence the public’s already skewed perception about the factually low percentage of false claim cases.
Since Lohan’s initial comments circulated the social media ecosystem, she’s issued an addendum to her comments. We’d say she apologized for her apparent insensitive comments about the movement, but she didn’t necessarily apologize for what she said. She just apologized for how people reacted to her remarks in her now-infamous interview with The Times.
“I would like to unreservedly apologize for any hurt and distress caused by a quote in a recent interview with The Times,“ Lohan told PEOPLE. IMO, it makes it seem like she’s oddly saying sorry for people’s reactions rather than owning up to what she said and apologizing for it. Still, her non-apology continues.
“I feel very strongly about the #MeToo movement and have the utmost respect and admiration for the women brave enough to come forward and speak out about their experiences. Their testimony has served to protect those who can’t speak, and give strength to those who have struggled to have their voices heard,” Lohan expands. I mean, who are we to judge? Maybe Lohan educated herself about the purpose of the movement. Or maybe she had a moment of clarity while she was scrolling through the Twitter-driven backlash from her initial interview. Regardless, we’re glad that her PR team she allegedly changed her mind about the movement.
Despite what the undercover mean girl may or may not think about the #MeToo movement, it’s important to speak up about sexual assault. If you don’t feel comfortable talking about your sexual assault, then surround yourself with a legitimately supportive group of people who can continually empower you through this process.
If you or someone you know is having a difficult time after experiencing sexual violence of any kind, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or access the 24/7 help chat.