After Fraser spoke publicly about the incident in 2018, HFPA conducted an investigation into the incident. Fraser debated going public with the story but ultimately decided to remain silent out of fear of public humiliation and damaging his career. Absolutely. In the 21st century, according to the Golden Globes, "HFPA members attend more than 300 interviews and countless movie and television screenings throughout each year." He also said he did not care why Berk touched him. president criticizing Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors and likening BLM to a hate group . "I'm humbled to be elected by my peers and colleagues here at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and. Berk tells the magazine that Frasers version is total fabrication. In Berks memoir, he recounts the incident, in which he placed his hand on Frasers butt during a hug, as a jest. The alleged groping occurred at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Absolutely. In an interview with GQ published Thursday, Fraser said that he was groped in 2003 by Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organization that hosts the Golden Globes. Brendan Fraser accuses HFPA member of groping him in 2003 Magazines, Digital I thought I was going to cry. Absolutely. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. And despite having several former and active members who are people of color, according to Variety, the organization hasn't had a Black member since 2002. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Former HFPA president Phillip Berk. Absolutely," he said. Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. President Lorenzo Soria dies The HFPA said in a statement to GQ, "We conducted an internal review and then took it upon ourselves to commission an independent investigation into the matter to ensure impartiality. Fraser, through his representatives, asked the HFPA for an apology, which Berk says he wrote, but added: "My apology admitted no wrongdoing, the usual 'If I've done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended and I apologize. IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. As the Golden Globes-presenting group hopes to find its way back into a Tinseltown power position, old-guarder Hoehne has her work cut out for her especially with NBC having pulled the plug on the 2022 Globes in May as the organization became mired in more and more controversy over its members/ behavior and its lack of a single Black member. In the interview, Fraser said that at an HFPA luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Berk reached out his hand to shake Fraser's, then went much further. A comprehensive 2016 study by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found that some 75 percent of U.S. survivors of workplace harassment experienced retaliation when they spoke up about their experiences, with male-dominated and service-oriented industries as some of the biggest hotbeds of workplace injustice. Feb. 21, 2021. Fraser said that at the time, he panicked: "I felt ill. The actor claims that Philip Berk former president of the HFPA, the organization that hosts the Golden Globes inappropriately touched him in 2003. . "The Whale" star, 53, won't be attending the 2023 Golden Globe Awards next year even if he's nominated for his role in the highly-praised drama. In a new interview with GQ, The Mummy star reveals he was. These steps involve hiring a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant, mandatory member training for both sexual harassment and DEI, and the creation of new bylaws and membership/reaccreditation process. Lorenzo Soria, Hollywood Foreign Press Association President, Dies at 68 [Work] withered on the vine for me. He did have his reps ask the HFPA for a written apology, telling GQ that the HFPA agreed they would never allow Berk in a room with Fraser again. According to the BBC, Berk "forwarded it as a point of information," though after seeing the consequences of his actions Berk later said that he "regretted sending the email.". I felt ill. However, the first awards show wasn't the glitz and glamor that it would become. I was blaming myself and I was miserablebecause I was saying, This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel. That summer wore onand I cant remember what I went on to work on next.. Fraser said that he spoke with an independent investigator in April, which the HFPA confirmed. Brendan Fraser is speaking out for the first time about his experience with sexual harassment in Hollywood. The event left Fraser depressed and reclusive, he says, adding thathe was rarely invited back to the Globes after 2003. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. Hollywood Foreign Press Association Addresses Absence of Black Members Have I wanted to many, many times? And he starts moving it around," the actor said. 344 Hollywood Foreign Press Associations Cecil B Demille Award The actor believes one of the reasons his career hit a standstill was because of an alleged incident with Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which hosts the Golden Globes. Actor Brendan Fraser has accused a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group that presents the annual Golden Globe Awards, of groping him at an event in 2003. But at the time, his reps did askthe HFPA for a written apology from Berk, and received one, though Berk says his apology admitted no wrongdoing. 344 Hollywood Foreign Press Associations Cecil B Demille Award Announcement Premium High Res Photos Browse 344 hollywood foreign press associations cecil b demille award announcement stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. In his suit, Russell alleged that the HFPA "abuse their positions and engage in unethical and potentially unlawful deals and arrangements which amount to a payola scheme" and claimed that he was fired after he brought these issues up with then-president Phillip Berk. Berk, no longer president of the HFPA but still a member, told GQ Fraser'sversion of events "is a total fabrication.. hollywood foreign press association Brendan Fraser nabs Golden Globe nomination despite vowing not to attend December 12, 2022 | 11:14am The 53-year-old has vowed to boycott the ceremony. At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, How a Minnesota hockey league helped a Ukrainian refugee feel at home, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Trump met with early primary state GOP leaders, London police apologize as officer admits to dozens of rapes, Kevin Spacey pleads not guilty to 7 sexual assault charges in London, Writer files upgraded lawsuit alleging Trump "forcibly raped" her. Here is how Fraser describes the incident, which occurred at the Beverly Hills Hotel during an HFPA luncheon, to GQ: His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. . But Fraser said the HFPA refused to share the report. In the end, as one insider notes, "I don't think anyone will touch this with a 10-foot pole until they get their act together." From 'Nymphomaniac' to 'Little Ashes': Unsimulated Sex Scenes in 36 Films, I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative, Fraser said. I thought I was going to cry," Fraser said. LOS ANGELES Brendan Fraser is joining the #MeToo movement, coming forward on Thursday with allegations of sexual assault by an ex-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Then, in April 2021, he was expelled from the organization after sending an article that described Black Lives Matters as a "racist hate movement" to HFPA members. I didn't want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative," he says now. 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This is the shady truth about the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. HOLLYWOOD, CA Lorenzo Soria, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association which presents the Golden Globes each year, died at age 68 on Friday. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association ( HFPA) is a nonprofit organization of journalists [3] and photographers who report on the entertainment industry activity and interests in the United States for media (newspaper, [4] magazine and book publication, television and radio broadcasting) predominantly outside the U.S. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. (Reps for Fraser and the HFPA did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment). Please enter valid email address to continue. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital As Vox puts it, foreign journalists felt like they were being shut out compared to local journalists, which they likely were due to xenophobic discrimination during World War II. But when they first organized, they still weren't taken too seriously, and mostly all they did was "meet at various members' homes to share information." Up to 100 PR firms also indicated that they were disappointed with the HFPA's lack of commitment to "transformational change. The HFPA said that it is investigating further details surrounding the incident. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. / CBS News. Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. In. He rushed home and told his wife about the encounter, but was afraid to go public with the incident.