Asia Argento has hit back at Rose McGowan after the Charmed actress released an explosive statement regarding allegations against her fellow #MeToo movement pioneer.
In a statement last month, McGowan, 44, said she had recently learned about alleged ‘unsolicited’ nude pictures Jimmy Bennett sent Argento since he was 12. Bennett claims he was sexually assaulted by Argento in California when he was 17 and Argento, 37.
Argento retaliated Friday in a tweet: ‘It is a shame that @rosemcgowan is not prepared to accept when she is wrong.
‘Rose’s statement continues to make false claims,’ she wrote.
Argento added in that McGowan’s gender-non conforming partner Rain Dove, 27, ‘accepted she was wrong’ in a tweet that has since been deleted.
Asia Argento has hit back at Rose McGowan’s statement detailing what she allegedly knew about Argento’s sex abuse scandal with an underage boy
In a tweet Friday, Argento said that McGowan can’t accept that she is wrong regarding ‘false’ statements she made last month
On Wednesday Argento and Rain Dove, McGowan’s partner’ were involved in a Twitter spat
In the statement last month, McGowan, who is distancing herself from her fellow feminist friend, claimed: ‘I received a phone call and series of messages from the being I’ve been dating – Rain Dove. They said that they had been texting with Asia and that Asia had revealed that she had indeed slept with Jimmy Bennett.
‘Rain also shared that Asia had stated that she’d been receiving unsolicited nudes of Jimmy since he had been 12. Asia mentioned in these texts that she didn’t take any action on those images.’
McGowan, Dove and Argento had spent time together in Berlin in July after the tragic suicide of Argento’s boyfriend and celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain, who reportedly paid a sum of $380,000 to her former child co-star.
McGowan said about the alleged explicit images from the child: ‘No reporting to authorities, to the parents, or blocking of Jimmy’s social media. Not even a simple message “Don’t send me these images. They are inappropriate.”
‘There were a few other details revealed as well that I am not at liberty to mention in this statement as investigators do their job.’
The Charmed starlet, 44, formed a close bond with the Land of the Dead actress, 42 – both Harvey Weinstein accusers – within the past year in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Dove criticized Argento and her lawyer for recent statements, including their recent claim that the actress was sexually assaulted by Jimmy Bennett in 2014 (pair above at that 2014 meet-up in California)
Jimmy Bennett claims he was sexually assaulted by Argento in California when he was 17 and Argento, 37
Argento attacked model Rain Dove Dubilewski Wednesday after they criticized Argento’s attorney for refusing to acknowledge that she had a sexual relationship with actor Jimmy Bennett when the boy was underage.
‘I will 100% help support You through this process with whatever resources I have that can assist the healing necessary – but You need to be honest. I can’t help a dishonest being,’ wrote Dove.
Argento responded by firing back: ‘Very funny coming from a sick pathological liar like you, who made money out of me by selling selected text messages in order to portray me for something I am not.’
Her return to social media came at the same time X Factor Italia formally announced that Argento would appear only in the first half of the show’s new season, and be replaced for the live episodes when they air later this year.
The Italian star, 42, also used her return to Twitter to attack Dove for information they relayed regarding the death of Anthony Bourdain.
Shots fired: ‘Very funny coming from a sick pathological liar like you, who made money out of me by selling selected text messages,’ tweeted Argento to Rain Dove on Wednesday
It was Dove’s texts with Argento that confirmed the actress had sexual relations with Bennett in a California hotel room back in 2014, more than a decade after the actress first worked with the boy at the age of 6 in her film adaptation of JT Leroy’s The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things.
Argento, who was one of the first women to publicly accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault, initially lied about her encounter with Bennett following a New York Times report that revealed the young man had received a $380,000 payment from the actress’ partner Anthony Bourdain when he threatened to file a $7.5 million lawsuit.
Just hours after she denied ever having sex with Bennett, TMZ published a text exchange between Dove and with Argento, confirming most of the Times report.
Argento and her lawyer are now claiming that she was the victim, and Bennett sexually assaulted her that day in the hotel.
Non-binary: Dove (left in March, right in 2016) started dating McGowan in February after offering to work with her following the actress’ very public argument with a transgender woman at a book signing
RAIN DOVE ON ASIA ARGENTO UNDERAGE SEX SCANDAL
‘Before I begin, I would like to note to everyone that I am only making a statement in order to clarify the details in order to prevent further stress or harm from rumours or allegations to/against innocent parties. It is important to not over glorify or sensationalise the actions of any individual who comes forward with evidence in a sexual assault case because it is the basic thing one should do.
‘I can confirm that the text messages are indeed between Asia Argento and myself. When I reported them to police I remained silent socially because I didn’t wish to be a part of the narrative or distract from the path to justice. While the conflict may feel murky- the situation is cut and dry. An individual admitted to sexual engagement with a minor (according to the age stated by California) which is an illegal act that can qualify as statutory rape. As well as such they admitted to receiving continued nude images without reporting/blocking the account/written rejection/or action. When the individual made it clear that they were not going to be honest about their engagement, I turned in materials that may contribute towards an honest investigation.
‘All victims deserve justice. Justice can rarely exist without honesty. In a sexual assault case it is important to support and believe the victim- while also allowing for due process. I believe all beings accused of a crime have the right to prove their innocence. For many victims of sexual assault their justice may never come in the court of law due to lack of evidence or time passage. It’s heartbreaking and cruel. However, I still fully believe in the allowance and balance of both ethos. Support and believe- allow due process. That is why when Asia Argento asked for assistance during this case declaring full innocence, I systemically took them through the list of things they would need to clear their name. Proof that they didn’t pay off this individual, proof that they didn’t approve any payments if they had occurred, proof that they had indeed been harassed and rejected all sexual sexual advances through action or verbally, proof that they hadn’t engaged sexually via an alibi, and a few more.
‘Occasionally in the past individuals have come to me knowing that they were guilty, they admitted the guilt off the bat, and my space in their life has been guiding them through the rehabilitation process with the community and shifting their negative actions into proactive ones so that they can be productive members of the community again while justice also prevails. The key to agreement to assist is that they have the intention to do whats necessary to rectify a situation. Unfortunately Asia did not have that intention. This is a person who represents a certain ideal and who has called out for all those accused of sexual assault to be honest about their experiences in order to allow justice for the victims. However when the NYT statement came out, in which Asia denied any sexual engagement that’s when it became clear that they were not going to follow their own ethics. I had received the original statement from Asia before they put it out into the world, before they had admitted their sexual engagement. In it they were dismissive of the victim, put down the integrity of the reporter Kim Severson utilising the guilt power of the opinion of their deceased former partner Anthony Bourdain, and robbed all parties of their truth. It was painful to read. I had hoped that that narrative would change after our conversation but unfortunately the piece went straight to press.
‘Before bringing this information to police I did speak with Rose McGowan as they are the person who introduced me to Asia. I was admittedly a little nervous because I knew that Asia was an important person in Rose’s life. When confronted with the messages and knowledge that I was going to go to the police, Rose immediately agreed that it was the right action to take. No begging or bargaining. No anger. Just very matter of fact. I know this is a painful loss of community in Rose’s life and I’m proud of her dedication to the truth. Its tempting to many to cover for their loved ones during rough times, but when a victim is involved on the other end we must think of them. True justice has no bias.
‘I would also like to address allegations that Jimmy Bennet extorted Asia Argento by saying simply- keep both actions separate. They are two different accusations and all victims of a crime deserve justice. All guilty parties must be honest. I would also like to state that the case between HW and Asia Argento is separate from Jimmy Bennet’s case and that Asia deserves the same respect in that case that Jimmy should receive in this one. Their choice to lie to the NYT does not mean that they are lying about HW. Their accounts for that case should be held separately and fairly. I believe that most beings have the power to change. Asia has contributed a strong voice to the #MeToo movement and encouraged many in their nation as well as around the globe to come forward with their truths. Perhaps, despite where public opinion may be over time, through honesty, dialogue and rehabilitation this person can become a strong advocate for justice once again. Especially uniquely as a person who is experiencing both sides of the coin.
‘We can not let this single case crumble the power and momentum of a movement that has saved so many. Just because a person is a celebrity or more visible does not make them THE VOICE or a MORE IMPORTANT voice than any other being that has been a part of #MeToo. All are equal and their struggles equally valid- we must remember that. Until then, let truth shine its light so we can see the way to a solution. Keep that light on patiently.’
