Actress Eliza Dushku is the latest ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ alum to back her former co-star Charisma Carpenter, who on Wednesday accused show creator Joss Whedon of ‘hostile and toxic’ behavior on the sets of ‘Buffy’ and the spin-off series ‘Angel’.
‘CC, my heart aches for you and I’m so sorry you kept this up for so long. Your message was powerful, painful and painted a picture that together we will never see or will not know. Thank you. I hadn’t known and I won’t forget, ”said Dushku in a post on Instagram.
“I often think of the saying” We are just as sick as our secrets. “Our secrets do indeed make and keep us sick,” she continued. “What I am learning more and more – and I have personally found the most valuable – is that profound healing can only come through naming and revealing what really happened, the necessary first step (if someone is ready) to free ourselves from our secrets, untold truths. that have kept us isolated, ashamed and held hostage. “
The ‘failure to’ mention ‘the epidemic of power / gender / sexual / racial abuse in the entertainment industry (and society at large for that matter) empowers and encourages and ultimately strengthens the abusers. May you and countless others feel the solidarity and connection that you have probably been missing for too long. Out of courage, come change and hope. It begins and will end through brave truth-tellers like you. I admire, respect and love you, ”concluded Dushku.
Also read: Charisma Carpenter accuses Joss Whedon of ‘hostile and toxic’ behavior on ‘Buffy’ and ‘Angel’ sets
Dushku, who later starred in Whedon’s 2009-2010 Fox series “Dollhouse,” joins Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred as Buffy, who said in a statement Wednesday that she “stands with all abuse survivors and that she is proud. on them they speak out. “
“While I’m proud that my name is associated with Buffy Summers, I don’t want to be associated with the name Joss Whedon forever,” Gellar wrote on Instagram. “I’m more focused on raising my family and surviving a pandemic at the moment, so I won’t make any further statements at this point. But I stand behind all abuse survivors and proud that they speak out. “
Additionally, “Buffy” actors Amber Benson and Clare Kramer also spoke in support of Carpenter, and co-star Michelle Trachtenberg said in a statement that Whedon’s behavior during her years on the show was “Very. Not. Appropriate.” And that “There was. a sentence. Saying. He shouldn’t be alone in a room with Michelle again. “She did not explain why that rule was introduced.
For her part, Carpenter said in her statement on Wednesday that Whedon was “mean and biting, openly disdainful of others, and often played favorites, pitting people against each other to compete, and vying for his attention and approval.” Carpenter also accused Whedon of “passive-aggressive threats,” of rejecting her “faith,” and said he retaliated against her for getting pregnant while starring “Angel.”
Also read: ‘Buffy’ star Sarah Michelle Gellar says she stands ‘with all abuse survivors’ after Charisma Carpenter allegations against Joss Whedon
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” ran for seven seasons from 1997-2003, first on the now-defunct WB and then on the now-defunct UPN. “Buffy’s” spin-off “Angel”, starring David Boreanaz, aired on The WB for five seasons from 1999-2004.