Los Angeles: It seems to be a never ending problem for Oscar winning screenwriter James Toback as two big stars of Hollywood joined over 300 women who have come forward to accuse the director of sexual harassment.
Hollywood actresses Rachel McAdams and Selma Blair have opened up about their experiences while auditioning for Toback early in their careers, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
While speaking to Vanity Fair magazine, McAdams recalled experiencing feelings of fear when she met Toback in his hotel to discuss a possible role in the movie ‘Harvard Man’. She was 21 at the time.
The ‘Spotlight’ star recalled meeting Toback the day before her first TV job. When she asked if the meeting could be scheduled for some other time, Toback insisted that it had to be that night.
When she arrived, she said Toback had books and magazines arranged on the floor, where he asked her to sit.
Mc Adams recalled that the conversation turned quite sexual as he said, “You know, I just have to tell you. I have masturbated countless times today thinking about you since we met at your audition.”
At one point, she said, “Toback went to the bathroom. When he returned, he said he masturbated thinking about her and asked for the actress to show him her pubic hair.”
McAdams said she eventually excused herself, adding that the incident “has been such a source of shame” for her.
“I felt like I was kind of thrown into the lion’s den and given no warning that he was a predator,” she said.
Blair recalled experiencing similar feelings of fear when she met Toback.
The ‘Cruel Intentions’ actress shared that in 1999, her representatives arranged for a meet with Toback. The director wanted to meet in his hotel room.
Blair said she insisted they meet at the hotel restaurant but was told by the hostess when she arrived that Toback would not be coming down.
After talking with Toback for almost 40 minutes, Blair shared that Toback asked her to take off her clothes and read a monologue naked. Toback convinced Blair that it was part of the training process to see how comfortable she was with her body, so she obliged after making it clear that she felt uncomfortable.
She noted, “I told him I was uncomfortable. But he continued to coax me, saying that this was in no way a come-on. This was part of training. He wanted to make me a good actress. He wanted to make me comfortable. I thought, ‘Well, my representation sent me to see him. He must be really important’.”
Adding, “I do remember looking down at the script and seeing my bare chest and not being able to focus on anything but the words and my face being so hot and puffy and feeling so ashamed.”
At one point, Blair claimed, Toback began rubbing his penis through his pants before asking her, “Would you f**k me?”
The actress said she refused but Toback would not let her leave, blocking the door and telling her she could not go until he ejaculated.
When Toback was done, Blair said he left her with a warning, implying that if she ever spoke out about the incident he could have her kidnapped or killed.
Both Blair and McAdams told the outlet that they want to help bring public attention to the epidemic of sexual harassment in Hollywood.
(ANI)