Catherine Zeta-Jones Reacts To Preemptive Sexual Allegation Denial Of Husband Michael Douglas

Catherine Zeta-Jones supports the #MeToo movement and the countless women who finally have the courage to speak up against their assailants.

While promoting her new movie, the 48-year-old actress finally commented about Michael Douglas's decision to preemptively deny a sexual harassment story even before it came out.

#MeToo

"My reaction was that as two people who have been in this business — him longer than me — was that we support 'Me Too' and the movement more than anybody, anybody — me as a woman, him as a man," the actress said during the press day for Television Critics Association on Sunday, Jan. 14. "And there was no other way than to be preemptive in a story that had to be watched. He did a statement. I think it's very clear the way that he stands."

To recall, last week, Douglas did an interview detailing a coming story to be published by two major entertainment news websites about his alleged sexual harassment of a former employee. The victim, he said, claims that Douglas used coarse language around her, masturbated in front of her, and prevented her from getting a job in Hollywood. All these happened about 30 years ago.

While the 73-year-old admitted and apologized for using colorful language, the award-winning actor denied the accusations that he masturbated in front of her and blackballed her from the industry.

The public's reaction to the Ant-Man and the Wasp star's denial was mixed: some lauded and expressed support for the award-winning actor, while some stood by the unnamed accuser.

Despite the fact that her husband became one of the dozens of celebrities accused of sexual harassment, Zeta-Jones admires the women who are coming out and fighting sexism.

"We're seeing changes that have taken many years to even be talked about," the Feud actress explained. "It's an amazing time for women, and I really want women to remember how strong we are in numbers."

Golden Globes Appearance

Zeta-Jones participated in the silent protest that saw men and women wear black on the red carpet of the 75th Golden Globes. The mother of two was at the awards ceremony with her father-in-law, actor Kirk Douglas, to present the award for Best Screenplay for Motion Picture (won by Lady Bird).

Douglas, 101 years old, suffered a debilitating stroke in 1996 and went onstage in a wheelchair. Director Steven Spielberg and actress Jessica Chastain were among the celebrities who gave the Hollywood legend a standing ovation.

Tags

#MeToo, Sexual harassment