Terry Crews on Sexual Assault: “It Happened to Me”
BROOKLYN NINE-NINE: Sgt. Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) tries to overcomes his fears in the all-new "The Vulture" episode of BROOKLYN NINE-NINE airing Tuesday, Oct. 15 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2013 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Eddy Chen/FOX
With the Harvey Weinstein allegations fresh in the news, actors are starting to come forward with stories about their own experiences of abusive behavior in Hollywood, and it’s not just women with stories to tell. On Tuesday TMZ published a video from Rob Schneider mentioning his experiences being objectified, and another famous comedic actor has a story to tell too. Terry Crews who everyone knows as Brookyn Nine Nine’s Sargeant Terry Jeffords posted a 16 part tweet sharing a story about an incident that happened to him, just last year at a Hollywood function. He says he came forward with the story in the hopes it will deter others from similar behavior. Neither Crews nor Schneider identified the perpetrators.
An executive came over to him and groped his genitals, he says, and when he reacted unfavorably, the executive just grinned. “I was going to kick his ass right then— but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear,” he said imagining the headlines after a 240 pound black man (who used to play for the NFL) went after a Hollywood big shot. “I would have been in jail” he wrote.
The executive later apologized and Crews never went public out of fear of being ostracized, but said “I understand why many women who this happens to let it go,” he wrote, referring to real fear of repercussions. “Harvey Weinstein is not the only perpetrator.”
This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME. (1/Cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates. (2/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk. (3/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I was going to kick his ass right then— but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear. (4/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
“240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho” would be the headline the next day. (5/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Only I probably wouldn’t have been able to read it because I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL. So we left.
(6/cont.)— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
That night and the next day I talked to everyone I knew that worked with him about what happened. (7/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
He called me the next day with an apology but never really explained why he did what he did. (8/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I decided not 2 take it further becuz I didn’t want 2b ostracized— par 4 the course when the predator has power n influence. (9/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go. (10/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Who’s going 2 believe you? ( few) What r the repercussions?(many) Do u want 2 work again? (Yes) R you prepared 2b ostracized?(No)(11/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
I love what I do. But it’s a shame and the height of disappointment when someone tries to takes advantage of that. (12/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
He knows who he is. But sumtimes Uhav2 wait & compare notes w/ others who’ve been victimized in order 2gain a position of strength. (13cont)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Hollywood is not the only business we’re this happens, and to the casualties of this behavior— you are not alone. (15/cont.)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
Hopefully, me coming forward with my story will deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless. (16/end)
— terry crews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017
