Sexual Harassment In The Movie Industry Is Real – Lydia Forson

Award-winning actress, Lydia Forson has spoken about the sexual advances and power play that goes on behind the scenes in  the movie industry. She spoke about how as a young and upcoming actress, she was once accosted by a producer. She said the producer demanded to see her breasts during an audition in order to get a role.

She made these statements during an interview on BBC. She said, “Earlier in my career just once, small-time producer who asked to see my breast for a role I was auditioning for and I said no, and walked out.”

Forson’s views were sought in the wake of the sexual scandal involving Harvey Weinstein, heavyweight Hollywood producer. He faces accusations from an increasing number of actresses, younger associates and interns.

Lydia Forson said she stormed out when the producer made that demand on her body. She continued by saying that sexual harassments are common in other professions; and many women face unrequited sexual advances from men in powerful positions.

She stated, “It’s unfortunate that it’s very common but it cuts across everywhere. Women are subjected to unwanted sexual advances from men in powerful positions especially who want to take advantage of their vulnerability. Especially in Africa where there’s a lot of poverty and people are looking for jobs, they know how to feed on peoples desperation.”

Additionally, she spoke about an experience a young lady shared with her about harassment.

“Just last week, an actress walked up to me and said she’s been trying to break up into the industry for several years but every producer wants to sleep with her and they named dropped some big actresses that they slept with before giving them roles. They threaten them, blackball them in the industry if they refuse to cooperate.”

She ended by saying that the abuse in the industry has to end. However, the people who speak up about the abuse are the ones with the means to stop them.