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Culture

Kevin Spacey's Candid Admission: Addressing Past Behavior

Wednesday 12 June 2024 - 11:20

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In a revealing interview with Piers Morgan, actor Kevin Spacey has candidly acknowledged his past behavior, describing himself as "being too handsy" and admitting to "pushing the boundaries" in reference to the allegations of inappropriate conduct that derailed his career in 2017.

The 64-year-old actor, who was found not guilty of all charges of sexual assault against four men between 2001 and 2013 after a trial in London last year, and had a sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed in the US in 2022, is currently involved in a civil trial over an allegation, which he denies, that he sexually assaulted a man in 2008.

Spacey's fortunes have taken a significant hit, with the actor revealing that his home in Baltimore, where he has resided since 2016, is being foreclosed and sold at auction due to his inability to afford the "many millions" in legal bills he has accumulated.

In the interview, broadcast on the Piers Morgan Uncensored YouTube channel, Spacey engaged in a direct discussion about his perspective on his past behavior. When asked to clarify what he meant by "pushing the boundaries," the double Oscar winner stated, "Being too handsy, touching someone sexually in a way that I didn't know at the time they didn't want."

Pressed on the potential for such behavior to be considered criminal conduct, Spacey asserted that he has "been gentle with people" and would not use the word "grope" to describe his actions. "You want to be gentle. You want to see if they're going to respond positively," he added.

Morgan probed further, questioning whether all of Spacey's actions could be considered consensual or if they were attempts at seduction that, if rebuffed, would become non-consensual. Spacey responded, "...then they should let you know they don't want to do it so that you can understand it's non-consensual and stop."

When confronted with the possibility that a young actor might worry that rejecting his advances could jeopardize their career due to his influence, Spacey acknowledged the validity of such concerns, saying, "Yes."

The actor expressed a willingness to "take accountability" for some of his past actions, which he describes as "bad, bad, bad behavior." However, he also maintained that "a whole lot of people" have made false claims against him.

In the wake of the interview, Spacey's future in the entertainment industry remains uncertain. While a group of Hollywood stars, including Sharon Stone, Stephen Fry, and Liam Neeson, have called for his return to acting, with Stone stating, "I can't wait to see Kevin back at work. He is a genius," the path forward is clouded by lingering allegations and the weight of his admitted transgressions.

As the industry grapples with issues of power dynamics, consent, and accountability, Spacey's candid admission and the ensuing discourse serve as a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges that lie ahead in fostering a safer and more equitable environment for all.