Hollywood producer Jill Messick, who was Rose McGowan’s manager in 1997 at the time that the actor alleges Harvey Weinstein raped her, died of an apparent suicide on Wednesday.
The family of Messick, age 50, released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday, following her death.
Messick’s family revealed the executive had suffered privately from depression and at least one manic episode, in an essay that was intensely critical of Weinstein, McGowan and the press, saying their loved one ‘became collateral damage in an already horrific story.’
‘Words matter,’ the statement read. ‘Someone’s life may depend on it.’
Hollywood producer Jill Messick (pictured), who was Rose McGowan’s manager in 1997 at the time that the actor alleges Harvey Weinstein raped her, died of an apparent suicide on Wednesday
Messick, who her family said had battled depression of the years, was dragged back into the spotlight in the midst of a public exchange between Weinstein’s attorney, Ben Brafman, and McGowan.
Brafman chose to make public an email that Messick had sent to Weinstein, at Weinstein’s request according to the family statement, that spoke to some of the allegations McGowan had lodged against Weinstein.
Deadline Hollwood published Brafman’s account of that email on January 30, quoting his statement as saying:
‘In an email to Mr. Weinstein regarding the encounter [at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1997], Jill Messick says the following: “When we met up the following day, she hesitantly told me of her own accord that during the meeting that night before she had gotten into a hot tub with Mr. Weinstein. She was very clear about the fact that getting into that hot tub was something that she did consensually and that in hindsight it was also something that she regretted having done.”‘
Rose McGowan of ‘Citizen Rose’ on E! speaks onstage during the NBCUniversal portion of the 2018 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena on January 9
Harvey Weinstein is seen here in New York City on September 7
In the rest of the Brafman’s statement published by Deadline, Brafman equates Messick’s statement that McGowan got into the hot tub allegedly consensually with Messick describing a ‘”consensual” act of sex,’ but the published portion of the email from Messick to Weinstein falls short of describing McGowan’s interaction with Weinstein on that day as consensual sex.
Messick’s family said that she chose not to speak out following this development, because she believed in the #MeToo movement, which the family only referred to as ‘the movement,’ despite how they said McGowan’s personal battle resulted in Messick’s misrepresentation.
‘Now that Jill can no longer speak for herself, it’s time to set the record straight,’ the statement read.
McGowan and Weinstein are seen here in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2007 at an awards ceremony
Messick is seen here with Paramount’s Brady Grey in Los Angeles in 2007
The statement relayed a more detailed account of what Messick’s family said had remained the producer’s consistent story since 1997:
‘In January 1997, Jill was an entry-level manager at Addis Wechsler. One of her first clients was Rose McGowan, and one of Jill’s first duties was to set up a breakfast meeting with Harvey Weinstein during the Sundance Film Festival. Following the meeting, Rose told Jill what had happened — that she made the decision to remove her clothes and get in the hot tub with him — a mistake which Rose immediately regretted. Rose never once used the word rape in that conversation.
‘Despite this, Jill recognized that Harvey had done something untoward to Rose, if not illegal. She immediately went to her bosses, the partners of Addis Wechsler, to recount Rose’s story and to insist that they immediately address the situation. They told Jill that they would handle the situation. The ensuing arrangements between Rose and Harvey were then negotiated, completely without Jill’s knowledge. At that time, all Jill knew was that the matter was settled and that Rose continued making films with the Weinsteins. She never knew any details until recently, when Rose elected to make them public.’
Messick is seen here with family in a photo shared to social media
McGowan is seen out and about in Manhattan on February 1, near Weinstein’s former office
The family went on to say that having her name wrapped up in allegations of sexual misconduct against McGowan, allegedly perpetrated at the hands of Weinstein and by implication with her aid, was too much for Messick, who ‘was just starting to get her life back on track’ after suffering a manic episode five years ago.
‘What makes Rose’s inaccurate accusations and insinuations against Jill ironic was that she was the first person who stood up on Rose’s behalf, and alerted her bosses to the horrific experience which Rose suffered,’ the family added.
Messick’s family added that seeing her photo in an international news story of such a nature was a reminder that ‘the media is a fearsome tool which cannot be used indiscriminately or even inadvertently to create further victims.’
‘There is a responsibility when using a platform to accurately expose criminals, predators, mistruths and misdeeds while protecting the actual truth of third parties,’ the statement read.
Messick shared this photo with her family to social media on July 30, 2016
Neither McGowan or Weinstein have commented publicly on Messick’s death, or the family’s statement.
Neither could immediately be reached for comment by DailyMail.com.
Messick is survived by two children, Jackson and Ava, their father, Kevin Messick, her father, Michael, her brother, Jan, and her partner, Dan Schuck.
She attended Santa Barbara High School and later graduating with a degree in communications rrom the University of Southern California.
Messick was born on July 27, 1967.
Ready the full statement by her family, below.
The family of Jill Messick, Hollywood producer and former manager of Rose McGowan, released this scathing statement against Harvey Weinstein and McGowan follow the apparent-suicide of their loved one
‘The Movement’ just lost one of its own.
Jill Messick was a mother of two children, a loving wife and partner, a dear friend to many and a smart entertainment executive. She was also a survivor, privately battling depression, which had been her nemesis for years.
Today she did not survive. Jill took her own life.
Jill was victimized by our new culture of unlimited information sharing and a willingness to accept statement as fact. The speed of disseminating information has carried mistruths about Jill as a person, which she was unable and unwilling to challenge. She became collateral damage in an already horrific story.
Jill believed in the Movement. She supported every woman finally coming forward to share their dark truths and expose those who had committed previously unspeakable deeds. She was loyal. She was strong. Jill was many things, but she was not a liar.
Over the past few months, many women have come out with allegations against Harvey Weinstein, including Rose McGowan, who has repeatedly spoken with the press, striking out against not only her alleged attacker, but a great many others. One of them was Jill, who chose to remain silent in the face of Rose’s slanderous statements against her for fear of undermining the many individuals who came forward in truth. She opted not to add to the feeding frenzy, allowing her name and her reputation to be sullied despite having done nothing wrong. She never chose to be a public figure; that choice was taken away from her.
Now that Jill can no longer speak for herself, it’s time to set the record straight.
In January 1997, Jill was an entry-level manager at Addis Wechsler. One of her first clients was Rose McGowan, and one of Jill’s first duties was to set up a breakfast meeting with Harvey Weinstein during the Sundance Film Festival. Following the meeting, Rose told Jill what had happened — that she made the decision to remove her clothes and get in the hot tub with him — a mistake which Rose immediately regretted. Rose never once used the word rape in that conversation. Despite this, Jill recognized that Harvey had done something untoward to Rose, if not illegal. She immediately went to her bosses, the partners of Addis Wechsler, to recount Rose’s story and to insist that they immediately address the situation. They told Jill that they would handle the situation. The ensuing arrangements between Rose and Harvey were then negotiated, completely without Jill’s knowledge. At that time, all Jill knew was that the matter was settled and that Rose continued making films with the Weinsteins. She never knew any details until recently, when Rose elected to make them public.
Ten months later, in November of 1997, Jill received a call from the Miramax exec VP of production, recruiting her for a job as an executive at Miramax Films working in production in Los Angeles. Jill was hired based on merit and her excellent work of over two years as a young development executive working with Woods Entertainment (prior to her time at Addis Wechsler).
Rose’s most recent round of press to promote her book has included new stories involving Jill. The constant press attention Rose has garnered in print and on national TV led to Harvey Weinstein releasing two documents. One of these was an email that Jill wrote to him months prior to the first New York Times piece coming out, and at his request. In this email, Jill offered the truth based on what she remembers Rose telling her about the Sundance account. In the face of Rose’s continued and embellished accusations last week, Harvey took it upon himself to release the email without her consent.
Five years ago, Jill suffered a manic episode. Anyone familiar with bipolar disorder knows that it is a cruel and vicious disease. With the help of doctors, her family and friends, Jill rebounded. Jill had fought to put her life back together. After a long job search, she was in negotiations to run the production division for a new entertainment company.
Seeing her name in headlines again and again, as part of one person’s attempt to gain more attention for her personal cause, along with Harvey’s desperate attempt to vindicate himself, was devastating for her. It broke Jill, who was just starting to get her life back on track. What makes Rose’s inaccurate accusations and insinuations against Jill ironic was that she was the first person who stood up on Rose’s behalf, and alerted her bosses to the horrific experience which Rose suffered. Twenty years ago, as a very junior person in a management company hierarchy, Jill exhibited her integrity in doing the right thing — she raised the red flag with the heads of her firm. In the face of inappropriate behavior, Jill handled the situation appropriately.
Hers is one of the only stories that has stayed consistent over time as we watch other media reported tales morph to beget further attention.
While journalists serve an important role in exposing predatory behavior, we are seeing irresponsible choices and an addiction to sensationalism which leads to inconsistent storytelling. The media is a powerful tool not to be taken lightly. Most individuals would be horrified to have their name spotlighted in a major international news story — let alone their photograph. We cannot forget that the media is a fearsome tool which cannot be used indiscriminately or even inadvertently to create further victims.
There is a responsibility when using a platform to accurately expose criminals, predators, mistruths and misdeeds while protecting the actual truth of third parties.
As we collectively seek to take action in an effort to right the wrongs so brazenly and inhumanely repeated for a generation, we must not forget one simple truth: Words have power. While we illuminate the dark corners for hidden truths, we must remember that what we say, particularly in the media, can have just as much impact if not more than our actions. We must ask more of ourselves, and of each other. We must take a moment to consider the ramifications and consequences of what we say and what we do.
Words matter.
Someone’s life may depend on it.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
