He declined to name the agent at the time, but during a Nov. 15 interview, he detailed the incident.
Venit, the head of the motion picture department of William Morris Endeavor, was only known to Crews as the representative for Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy and Sylvester Stalone.
While at the event, Crews said Venit made a suggestive gesture with his tongue before groping him.
âI stick my hand out and he literally takes his hand and puts it, squeezes my genitals. And I jump back like, âHey, hey!â ⌠I go, âDude, what are you doing? And then he comes back again and he just wonât stop. And then I really got forceful, pushed him back, he bumps into all the other party-goers and he starts giggling and laughing.
âI have never felt more emasculated, more objectified. I was horrified.â
Related:Â Terry Crews reveals he was sexually assaulted by âHollywood executive,â plans to sue
Crews credited his wife for calming him down and giving him perspective.
As for why he waited so long before speaking out, Crews said he was worried no one would believe him. It took women coming forward with allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein for him to feel empowered to say something.
âHe looked at me at the end, you know, as if (to say), âWhoâs going to believe you?ââ Crews said of Venit.
Credit: Frazer Harrison
Credit: Frazer Harrison
âWhen a person of power breaks that boundary and violates that boundary, youâre a prisoner of war,â Crews said. âImmediately, youâre in a camp because youâre trying to figure out when is the right time to come out? When the guard turns their head? When they leave a door open? Youâre digging tunnels with spoons and youâre trying to find a way out, and you get out and then you finally find freedom and somebody says, âWell, it must not be that bad. You shouldâve came out sooner.â
âA lot of people just donât understand and they end up blaming the victim,â Crews continued. âAnd I have totally said I will not be shamed. I will not be shamed. I did nothing wrong. Nothing.â
Crews also took those who blame victims to task for questioning those who have been sexually harassed or assaulted.
âWhy isnât Adam Venit sitting here right now explaining his side?â Crews asked.
EXCLUSIVE: @TerryCrews speaks out; actor shares story of Hollywood harassment: https://t.co/JfBIpbGLMq pic.twitter.com/X8l4Bb1ZNU
— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 15, 2017
Deadline reported Monday that Venit returned to his desk after a 30-day suspension during which WME investigated Crews's allegations against him. He is still able to serve as an agent, but does not have the title as the head of the agency's Motion Picture Group.
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