Blake Lively called for activity as she tended to the Harvey Weinstein allegations on Good Morning America on Monday.
Saying that ‘standing in solidarity’ with the disgraced maker’s various casualties wasn’t sufficient, the 30-year-old said individuals needed to acknowledge that his conduct was a long way from a secluded episode.
When asked how Hollywood could move on after the revelations of widespread abuse of women, she replied: ‘I think it’s important we acknowledge this isn’t just Hollywood. This is so much global. And this isn’t, “Oh, guess what, this is what’s happening to women suddenly.”
‘This has been happening to women since the beginning of time, and I think that’s what’s important.’
Weinstein Company co-founder Harvey is alleged to have assaulted or harassed more than two dozen women in the movie industry, including major stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd. The allegations against him include rape and forced sexual contact.
Blake said she had never had any personal experiences of Weinstein behaving inappropriately.
‘That goes to show you don’t always see what’s going on behind closed doors,’ insisted Blake, who has previously talked of her struggle to be taken seriously when she reported an unsettling experience with a make-up artist.
The Gossip Girl alum added: ‘I think when people come forward, you have to acknowledge. There’s been moments when I’ve come forward, other people have come forward with things that just feel a little [off] and you’re not sure, but when your bosses tell you that this is not priority to them, then you think, “This must not be that big of a deal. What I’m complaining about isn’t really that big of a deal.” And it is.’