The former manager of Halle Berry and current manager of Taraji P Henson has shut down his management company amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him.
Vincent Cirrincione, 70, will shut down his eponymous Vincent Cirrincione Associates immediately, the Hollywood Reporter reports.
Current clients in addition to Henson include Jussie Smollett, who appears on Empire, and Candice Patton, who appears on The Flash.
The news comes after the Washington Post’s report that nine women have accused the longtime manager for the stars of sexual harassment.
Vincent Cirrincione (left), a white Hollywood manager who has helped a number of minority women like Halle Berry (right) and Taraji P. Henson achieve stardom, has shut down his management company after being accused of sexual harassment by nine different women. The photo above was taken in 2005
Cirrincione, 70, is being accused by at least three women of demanding sex as a condition for him agreeing to represent them. He is seen above with Henson in Los Angeles in 2015
He allegedly used the Halle Berry and Taraji P Henson’s names in an effort to ‘lure and manipulate innocent, vulnerable women of color for his predatory actions’.
Three women have alleged that Cirrincione demanded sex as a condition for him agreeing to represent them.
Another woman said she was told he would further advance her show business career in exchange for monthly sexual encounters.
Another accuser said Cirrincione masturbated in front of her during a meeting in his office.
The women, eight of whom are African American and one of whom is Asian American, said that the alleged harassment and unwanted sexual advances took place over the course of two decades.
Candice Patton (left) and Jussie Smollett (right) are represented by Cirrincione
Cirrincione responded to the allegations with a statement.
He said that while he did pursue sexual relationships with a number of women, he denies requiring sex as a condition for him representing them.
‘We live in a time where men are being confronted with a very real opportunity to take responsibility for their actions. I support this movement wholeheartedly,’ Cirrincione said.
‘I have had female clients and employees my entire career in this industry. I have built a reputation for advancing the careers of women of color.
‘I have had affairs while in committed relationships, ones I am now ashamed to say are coming to light and shading my past and my reputation.
‘I can say without a doubt that I have never used favors, sexual or otherwise, as a reason for managing anyone. I want to make it clear that not one of those relationships were anything but consensual.
‘I take responsibility for my part in the situation and I am not here to diminish anyone’s feelings or experiences.
‘I apologize to these women, my past and present partner, my clients and employees for the pain this is bringing them.
‘I was under the impression I was living my life as a supportive man to women. It is with a heavy heart that I see now I was wrong.’
Three women went on the record for the Post story.
Letha Remington alleged that in 1993, Cirrincione told her that he could not represent her after she spurned his advances
Tamika Lamison (right) described an encounter with Cirrincione (left) in a hotel suite in June 1996. She claims he agreed to take her on as a client on condition that she make herself available to him sexually whenever he wanted
Peppur Chambers (above) said she was made uncomfortable by Cirrincione’s advances, but she continued working with him for months after he agreed to invest in her project as an executive producer
In 1993, Letha Remington said Cirrincione refused to represent her after she declined his sexual advances.
Tamika Lamison described an encounter with Cirrincione in a hotel suite in June 1996. She said he had her listen to a call with Berry, then a rising star, before grabbing her and forcibly kissing her.
Lamison said Cirrincione offered to take her on as a client – on condition that she make herself available to him sexually whenever he wanted. She said she pushed Cirrincione away and left.
In 2011, Peppur Chambers was invited by Cirrincione to his home after she approached him about producing her burlesque show, Brown Betties.
Chambers said he forcibly tried to kiss her.
After he agreed to invest as an executive producer of her dinner theater cabaret, Chambers, 47, said she felt obligated to continue meeting him for a period of at least four months. But she told colleagues about her encounter at the time it took place.
Six of the accusers said that as a result of their experiences with Cirrincione, they either abandoned their acting careers or took extended breaks from the business.
They said the manager destroyed their self-confidence and sense of self-worth.
The Post reported that it was ‘an open secret’ in Hollywood that Cirrincione pursued sexual relationships with aspiring actresses.
Berry released another statement on Instagram late Friday saying she was ‘livid’ that her former manager allegedly ‘used’ her to ‘lure and manipulate innocent vulnerable women of color for his predatory actions’
Berry told the Post that while Cirrincione never acted inappropriately with her, she ended her business relationship with him three years ago when she learned of an allegation made against him.
‘Over three years ago, a woman was on the radio saying that Halle Berry’s manager was her worst casting couch experience ever,’ Berry told the Post.
‘That news literally stopped me in my tracks. I immediately confronted Vince about it, and he denied it completely.
‘But even with his denial, something didn’t feel right in my spirit, and with the possibility that it could be true, I immediately ended our over-25-year relationship.’
Berry released another statement on Instagram late Friday.
‘Yesterday I was saddened by the allegations against my former manager, Vincent Cirrincione, but today I’m sick after reading the horrifying detailed accounts of his abuse towards 9 women,’ she wrote.
Henson said that in the two decades she has been managed by Cirrincione, she never saw or heard of any inappropriate behavior by him toward her or other women. ‘I’ve never had any issue with this on any level,’ Henson said
‘I’m livid that he used me, and the role model he helped me become, to lure and manipulate innocent, vulnerable women of color for his predatory actions.
‘I’m deeply hurt and I want these women and countless others to know I see you.
‘I heard you. You matter. I will fight for you.’
Henson said that in the two decades she has been managed by Cirrincione, she never saw or heard of any inappropriate behavior by him toward her or other women.
‘I’ve never had any issue with this on any level,’ Henson said. ‘He totally respected me.’
Henson said Cirrincione was like a ‘father figure’ who helped guide her career. He even at times paid her rent, child care fees, as well as her son’s school tuition.
‘He saw a single mother trying to make her dreams come true, and he nurtured that,’ Henson said.
Berry told the Post that while Cirrincione never acted inappropriately with her, she ended her business relationship with him three years ago when she learned of an allegation made against him