Meryl Streep insists she didn’t know about Harvey Weinstein abuse

Meryl Streep defends herself against claims she kept quiet over Harvey Weinstein’s sexual abuse, insisting: “I didn’t know.”

Harvey Weinstein with Meryl Streep. Picture: Getty Images.

Hollywood grandee Meryl Streep has defended herself against criticism that she continued to work with Harvey Weinstein despite his reputation as a sexual predator, insisting: “I didn’t know.”

Streep spoke out after Rose McGowan attacked her and other actresses who plan to wear black to this year’s Golden Globes in protest at sexual harassment in the industry.

McGowan’s since deleted tweet said: “Actresses, like Meryl Streep, who happily worked for The Pig Monster, are wearing black @goldenglobes in a silent protest. YOUR SILENCE is THE problem. You’ll accept a fake award breathlessly & affect no real chance. I despise your hypocrisy.”

She added: “Maybe you should all wear Marchesa,” referencing the fashion line co-created by Weinstein’s ex-wife, Georgina Chapman.

Streep, who once likened Weinstain to “God”, insisted she “wasn’t deliberately silent” about Weinstein’s abusive treatment of women in Hollywood because she didn’t know it was happening.

“It hurt to be attacked by Rose McGowan in banner headlines this weekend, but I want to let her know I did not know about Weinstein’s crimes, not in the 90s when he attacked her, or through subsequent decades when he proceeded to attack others,” Streep said in a statement to the Huffington Post. “I wasn’t deliberately silent. I didn’t know. I don’t tacitly approve of rape. I didn’t know. I don’t like young women being assaulted. I didn’t know this was happening.”

The veteran actress had said she was appalled by the claims made against the movie mogul. His “behaviour is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar”, Streep said a statement when the allegations were first aired. She has always insisted that she was unaware of his decades of abuse despite working having her movies championed by the producer.

Amber Tamblyn previously responded to McGowan’s tweet, calling for women to stand together. “I do not support any woman (or man) shaming or taunting the movements of other woman who are trying to create change. Telling us to wear Marchesa? This is beneath you, Rose,” the actress wrote.

Reuters