Director Ali Abbasi was accused of inappropriately groping an A-list actor at a Golden Globes afterparty final month in what he concedes was “an over-familiar gesture.”
Someday after a bombshell declare of inappropriate habits at a CAA Golden Globes afterparty in January, The Apprentice director Ali Abbasi is apologizing and sharing his facet of the story.
On Friday, the director of the Golden Globe- and Oscar-nominated movie in regards to the early days and rise of Donald Trump was accused of getting groped an A-list star repped by CAA at an afterparty hosted by the company.
It was additionally reported by Deadline, who was first to interrupt the information, that he’d parted methods with CAA and Entertainment360. Hypothesis on the time was that he was dropped in response to the allegation.
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In a prolonged assertion despatched to TheWrap and posted to his social media, Abbasi mentioned he needed to “handle the articles about me straight and overtly.”
The assertion opened with an apology, with Abbasi saying, “I absolutely perceive that my motion made somebody uncomfortable, no matter my intent, and for that I’m really sorry.”
He went on to elucidate, “I had frolicked with the individual involved on a number of events and had purpose to suppose we had a pleasant relationship. After I noticed him on the Golden Globes social gathering, I used to be excited to reconnect. I made an over-familiar gesture — a slap on the rear—which I supposed as playful and never in any sexual means by any means.”
My assertion in regards to the latest occasions: pic.twitter.com/fDixpQjQmO
— Ali Abbasi (@_aliabbasi_) February 22, 2025
@_aliabbasi_
“I rapidly realized I had misjudged the state of affairs,” Abassi continued. “I apologized to him on the spot, and the next day I made certain my apology was reiterated via my representatives.”
He then went on to deal with media retailers speculating a connection between these occasions and his change in illustration by denying there’s any correlation in any respect. “The suggestion that I used to be dropped by my illustration attributable to this interplay is fake,” he mentioned. “My determination to half methods was a long run profession determination that was not formed by quick time period motivations.”
“I consider in taking accountability for my actions; I made a mistake, I apologized and have realized a worthwhile life lesson,” Abbasi concluded his assertion. “I stay grateful for the unimaginable work of our forged, crew and supporters on The Apprentice, and I hope the main target stays on their achievements.”
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For subsequent Sunday’s Academy Awards, two of the movie’s stars have been nominated for Oscars, with Sebastian Stan up for Lead Actor for his portrayal of Trump, and Jeremy Sturdy nominated for his portrayal of Ray Cohn.
Deadline notes that voting closed on Tuesday for the 97th Academy Awards, so Friday’s allegations can have no impact on Stan’s or Sturdy’s probabilities at taking house a trophy.
Simply hours after releasing his assertion, Abbasi was in attendance on the Unbiased Spirit Awards. When requested why by Selection, Abbasi defined, “Like I mentioned, my assertion is on the market. It speaks for itself. I am right here to do what I at all times do, to help [The Apprentice] and rejoice cinema.”
Abbasi was up for Finest Director on the ceremony, however misplaced to Anora director Sean Baker. Nominated throughout a number of awards this season, The Apprentice has taken house a Finest Supporting Actor win for Sturdy by the Florida Movie Critics Circle. Subsequent up are France’s César Awards February 28 and the Oscars March 2.