Kate Beckinsale has unveiled the distressing chronicle of harassment and abuse she endured across numerous film sets throughout her acting journey. In a poignant Instagram video posted on Sunday, the actress conveyed that speaking her truth felt both "timely" and "crucial," especially after Blake Lively's recent accusations against her 'It Ends With Us' co-star Justin Baldoni.
"I've had no personal encounters with either of them, nor was I present on that particular set, so I refrain from commenting on their situation," Beckinsale began. "Yet, what I must address is the machinery that springs into action whenever a woman voices legitimate grievances against offensive, distressing, or detrimental behavior within this industry."
In her nearly five-minute-long video, the 'Canary Black' actress vividly recounted several instances where she faced harassment during her career. She recounted being labeled as "that cunt" on a film set, merely because she called out her male co-star for being "drunk every day" on set. "He was undoubtedly grappling with something, and I feel deeply for him, but the crew and I were left waiting for him to learn his lines for six hours daily," she elaborated. "This meant sacrificing evenings with my daughter throughout the entirety of the film's production. The studio's response was to gift me a bike, so I could roam around the studio premises while awaiting his readiness. Subsequently, I was subjected to derogatory names like 'cunt' and 'bitch.' During one take, I was even called 'you stupid bitch.'"
Beckinsale further recounted a harrowing incident where a group of people stood before her, questioning, "How do we make her attractive?" On two separate occasions, she was forced into "a rigid diet and exercise regime" that resulted in the cessation of her menstrual cycle.
The 'Underworld' actress disclosed that she had also been placed in perilous combat scenarios on two different sets, including one where a male co-star physically harmed her during a fight scene. When she dared to voice her injury, Beckinsale was met with "ostracism" from the cast and crew. "Sometimes, there exists a particular breed of actor who derives a thrill from legally harming a woman during a fight sequence," she revealed. "I was harmed, with MRIs serving as evidence. Instead of being heard, I was gaslighted, blamed, ostracized, excluded from cast dinners, and ignored as soon as I dared mention the problem."
Elsewhere in her Instagram video, the star of Fool's Paradise vividly recounted a harrowing experience where she was "compelled by a publicist" to participate in a photoshoot "merely a day after enduring a miscarriage." "I protested, 'I'm in no condition. I'm bleeding. I refuse to strip and pose in front of strangers, especially now, amidst this physical ordeal.' My words fell on deaf ears as she responded coldly, 'You must comply, or face legal repercussions,'" Beckinsale recounted, her voice tinged with emotion.
She further elaborated on the pervasive harassment that women endure on Hollywood sets, describing it as a timeless plight. "I possess a treasure trove of stories akin to this—perhaps as many as 47 million," she remarked solemnly. "At the tender age of 18, I was violated by someone I deeply trusted within a film crew. I sought solace from the lead actress, renowned for her feminism, but was met with denial. 'No, that didn't happen,' she insisted. Tears streaming down my face, I approached another actress, relaying my ordeal, yet again, I was dismissed. 'No, you're mistaken,' she claimed."
Continuing her narrative, the Prisoner's Daughter actress lamented, "This cycle of abuse has persisted for eternity, and it's disheartening to witness men claim, 'Oh, it was a different era, the climate has vastly improved.' It's a blatant falsehood!" Beckinsale emphasized the dire challenge women confront in being heard on set, asserting that voicing legitimate grievances often leads to ruin. "To speak up is to invite ruin," she declared. "You're expected to endure in silence, to assimilate into the 'boys' club.' This must cease. It absolutely must."
She expressed gratitude to Blake Lively for shedding light on this ongoing issue, emphasizing that it's not a relic of the past but a persistent reality. "When abuse is reported, a machinery springs into action, intent on demolishing the victim," she warned.
In a poignant caption accompanying her post, Beckinsale emphasized that while this problem permeates every industry, "it's merely more exposed in ours." "Complaining about abuse should never invite further mistreatment, especially in a workplace that ought to provide unassailable protection. Women who have suffered insult, injury, shame, or any form of abuse (often with scores of witnesses) should not be compelled to 'become one of the boys' or face retaliation for daring to speak out," she penned passionately.
Beckinsale concluded her caption with a plea for collective action. "Too many have fallen victim to this, many of whom I know intimately. It's incumbent upon both men and women in our industry to work tirelessly towards eradicating this evil for eternity."
