What are the accusations made by Anthony Rapp against Kevin Spacey?

'Beyond horrified': Kevin Spacey, 58, said he could not remember the alleged encounter but was sorry for Anthony Rapp's feelings of hurt
AFP/Getty Images
Eleanor Rose30 October 2017
The Weekender

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Hollywood star Kevin Spacey has apologised after being accused of making advances towards a 14-year-old actor.

Anthony Rapp, now 46 and known for his role in Star Trek: Discovery, came forward with the story after more than 50 women accused disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment.

Mr Rapp said he was sitting on a bed at a party in 1986 when Mr Spacey, who seemed drunk, lay down on top of him and tried "to seduce" him.

Spacey, who was 26 when the alleged incident took place, said he did not remember the encounter but that if it happened, "I owe him the sincerest apology."

Anthony Rapp playing Mark Cohen in the musical Rent at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 1998
PA

Here is all you need to know about the allegations.

What allegations has Anthony Rapp made against Kevin Spacey?

Rapp gave an interview to BuzzFeed News saying Spacey made sexual advances towards him when he was 14.

They had both been working on Broadway shows, said Rapp, when they formed a friendship and Spacey invited the teenager to a party.

Rapp, an American actor who now has a string of Broadway and off-Broadway roles under his belt, would later go on to play Lieutenant Paul Stamets in Star Trek: Discovery.

When he got to the party, he didn't know anyone, so he went up to a bedroom to watch TV.

Anthony Rapp: accused Spacey of a sexual advance in 1986
AFP/Getty Images

Late at night, he saw Spacey at the door and realised the other guests had gone home, according to Rapp.

He told BuzzFeed: “He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold. But I don't, like, squirm away initially, because I'm like, 'What's going on?' And then he lays down on top of me.

“He was trying to seduce me," he added.

“I don't know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually.”

How does Rapp feel now?

To this day, said Rapp, “My stomach churns.”

He described the alleged encounter as “deeply confusing” and said he could not wrap his head around it.

He suggested it had been difficult to come forward with the story but that he was "standing on the shoulders" of women who have recently accused Harvey Weinstein of assaulting them.

How has Kevin Spacey responded?

A statement posted to Spacey's official Twitter said he was "beyond horrified" by the allegations.

"I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago," he wrote.

"But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years."

The House of Cards actor went on: "This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life."

He wrote that he has hitherto kept silent on speculation about his private life.

But, he said: "As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women.

"I have loved and had relationships with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man."

He concluded: "I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behaviour."

How have people reacted?

Stars including actress Rose McGowan slammed Kevin Spacey’s apology as using the revelation that he is gay as an “excuse” for the alleged incident.

Allegations: Actress Rose McGowan has called on others to come forward with stories of sexual assault
REUTERS

The Charmed actress, who recently alleged that Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her, wrote on Twitter: “Dear fellow media: Keep focus on #AnthonyRapp BE THE VICTIM'S VOICE. Help us level the playing field.”

Comedian and actor Billy Eichner added: “That Kevin Spacey statement. Nope. Absolutely not. Nope.”

Meanwhile, author Dan Savage said: “Nope to Kevin Spacey's statement. Nope. There's no amount of drunk or closeted that excuses or explains away assaulting a 14-year-old child.”

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