A top PR exec slammed CBS host Julie Chen as ‘complicit’ after she signaled support of her accused sexual abuser husband Les Moonves by using his last name when she signed off of Big Brother Thursday night
A top PR exec has slammed CBS host Julie Chen as ‘complicit’ after she signaled support of her accused sexual abuser husband Les Moonves by using his last name when she signed off of Big Brother.
Chen returned to TV Thursday for the first time since Moonves resigned as CEO of CBS following accusations of decades of sexual misconduct at the cable giant.
At the end of the episode she signed off by saying: ‘From outside the “Big Brother” house, I’m Julie Chen Moonves. Good night.’
It is said to have been the first time Chen has used her married name on the show shes been hosting for nearly two decades.
Public relations powerhouse Danny Delaney reacted to what many saw as a show of support by tweeting: ‘Tonight, Julie Chen signed off Big Brother as Julie Chen Moonves, firmly standing w/her husband, a serial sexual assaulter who ruined careers. She is complicit.
‘Because of this, I will no longer put any of my clients on @TheTalkCBS.
‘Fellow publicists, I hope you stand with me.’
Delaney’s words could have a considerable impact especially because he represents one of Moonves’ alleged victims, Illeana Douglas.
Public relations powerhouse Danny Delaney, who represents Moonves accuser Illeana Douglas, reacted to Chen’s sign off on Twitter by calling for a boycott of her talk show
Chen and Moonves were pictured leaving an office building together in their Bentley the morning after the CBS host’s public show of support
In a second tweet Delaney wrote: ‘Les Moonves assaulted my client and it looks like dozens of others. How Julie Chen? How can you stand by this?
‘Power and status is worth more to you thank women’s empowerment. This is now your legacy.’
The publicist named one of the top celebrity crisis communications experts by the New York Observer also represents Roseanna Arquette and Laura Benanti.
Earlier this week Chen chose not to fill her regular spot as a panelist on The Talk in the aftermath of her husband’s departure, opting for the solo gig on the reality program instead.
Chen, 48, did not directly address any of the controversy surrounding her husband or his departure from CBS as chairman and CEO.
Back in July, Chen came out and immediately supported her husband when the first allegations about sexual misconduct arose.
‘Leslie is a good man and a loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader,’ she tweeted. ‘He has always been a kind, decent and moral human being. I fully support my husband and stand behind him and his statement.’
None of the alleged incidents happened during Moonves and Chen’s 14 year marriage. The pair tied the knot in 2004, two weeks after his divorce from his first wife was finalized
Chen was also seen running errands on her own in Los Angeles Friday morning
‘The Talk’ co-host released a statement when Moonves was ousted, stating that she planned to be with her family but would be on-air in time for ‘Big Brother.
None of the alleged incidents happened during Moonves and Chen’s 14 year marriage.
The pair tied the knot in 2004, two weeks after his divorce from his first wife was finalized.
The TV titan had been married to Nancy Wieselfeld for 26 years when he left her for TV host Chen. They have three adult children together and he and Chen have an eight-year-old son.